This undergraduate project implemented a versatile and reliable analytical technique that has become the method of choice for many of today's more difficult chemical analysis problems. A Shimadzu LC-6A High Performance Liquid Chromatographic system (HPLC), with refractive index, fluorescence, uv/visible absorption, and electrochemical detection systems, provided flexibility high sensitivity, and low detection limits. Trace metal and organic analysis of various matrices are very important in fully evaluating the quality of an industrial process and in determining safe consumable projects. Realistic and "real world" opportunities are available to undergraduate chemistry and chemical engineering students interested in industrial and government careers that emphasize quality control and environmental investigations. Practical applications of HPLC involve the analysis of aqueous industrial effluents, natural products, polymers, forensic samples, and a host of commercial products including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. Chemistry and chemical engineering majors are able to vigorously pursue undergraduate research projects by designing and developing separation and detection methods. They utilize various detection systems, columns, solvent matrices, and chromatographic techniques like normal reverse phase, ion- exchange, and ion pair chromatography. The institution contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.
