Hands-on Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction
- Duration: 1 day for live courses
- Experience level: Advanced
- Delivery methods: Face-to-face | Offsite training & consultancy | Onsite training & consultancy | Tailored training |
- Type of course: Universal
- Applicable to manufacturer(s): Agilent | Bruker | CTC analytics | GERSTEL | GL Sciences | Leco | PerkinElmer | Sciex | Scion | Shimadzu | SRI | Thermo | Varian | Waters |
- CPD Approved: Approved
- Scheduled course price: £650.00 + TAX per delegate
- Course discounts: RSC CAMS HEaTED Cambridge Network members receive a discount on this course
Your Hands-on approach to learning solid phase microextraction
Module 5 of the Hands-on of Sample Preparation course.
Combine the practical theory of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with laboratory-based exercises when attending this Hands-on training course approved by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Apply the knowledge learned in each module through practical exercises involving fibre selection, method development, optimisation, automation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Gain experience of SPME workflows, fibre technologies, instrumentation, and analytical techniques used to extract and concentrate analytes from complex samples. This course provides a practical introduction to one of the most versatile solvent-free sample preparation techniques used in modern analytical chemistry.
This Hands-on SPME course is designed for analysts, scientists, technicians, and laboratory professionals who would like to develop both a practical and theoretical understanding of SPME techniques. The course combines extraction theory, fibre selection, optimisation, troubleshooting, and real-world applications with laboratory-based exercises that reinforce learning and build confidence.
Why should I join?
On completion of this Hands-on SPME training, you will have both a strong theoretical understanding and practical experience of developing, performing, optimising, and troubleshooting SPME methods.
This Hands-on SPME course gives you:
- A clear understanding of the principles behind SPME and solvent-free extraction
- Practical experience of designing and performing SPME procedures
- Understanding fibre coatings and their influence on extraction selectivity and sensitivity
- Insight into headspace and direct immersion extraction techniques
- Practical guidance on method optimisation including temperature, extraction time, pH, phase ratio, and matrix modification
- Hands-on experience with a range of SPME fibre chemistries and applications
- Practical troubleshooting techniques for solving common SPME problems
- Experience applying SPME principles to laboratory exercises
What would I learn?
This course focuses on providing an in-depth understanding of SPME combined with practical Hands-on experience. You will learn:
- The principles of SPME and equilibrium-based extraction
- The differences between headspace SPME (HS-SPME) and direct immersion SPME (DI-SPME)
- How analytes partition between sample, headspace, and fibre coatings
- The role of fibre chemistry, polarity, coating thickness, and porosity in extraction performance
- How to select suitable fibres for volatile, semi-volatile, polar, and non-polar analytes
- Practical approaches to method development and optimisation
- How extraction temperature, extraction time, agitation, pH, salt addition, and sample volume influence performance
- The principles of absorption and adsorption-based extraction mechanisms
- The operation of manual and automated SPME systems
- Sample preparation strategies for environmental, food, flavour, fragrance, forensic, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications
- Maintenance procedures and best practices for maximising fibre lifetime
- Common causes of SPME problems and how to troubleshoot them effectively
What knowledge will I gain?
By the end of the course, you will:
- Understand the fundamental principles behind SPME and equilibrium extraction science
- Be able to explain how analytes partition between sample matrices, headspace, and extraction fibres
- Understand how fibre chemistry, coating thickness, and extraction conditions influence sensitivity and selectivity
- Know how temperature, pH, salt addition, and matrix composition affect extraction efficiency
- Be familiar with common fibre coatings including PDMS, Polyacrylate, Carboxen, Divinylbenzene, Carbowax, and mixed-phase fibres
- Understand when to use headspace extraction and when direct immersion sampling is more appropriate
- Gain confidence in designing and optimising SPME methods for different analytes and sample matrices
- Understand the operation and application of automated SPME workflows
- Be able to identify and troubleshoot common issues including poor recovery, carryover, fibre damage, contamination, poor reproducibility, and low sensitivity
Is this course for me?
This RSC-approved, for purposes of CPD, Hands-on SPME training is designed for anyone who wants a practical understanding of SPME as a sample preparation technique.
- Laboratory analysts and technicians performing sample preparation and extraction procedures
- Scientists developing analytical methods involving GC, GC-MS, LC, or LC-MS
- Laboratory managers overseeing sample preparation and analytical workflows
- Data analysts and report writers seeking a better understanding of how sample preparation influences analytical results
- Service engineers supporting sample preparation and analytical laboratory equipment
- Sales, marketing, and commercial professionals working with analytical instrumentation, automation systems, consumables, or sample preparation products
- Researchers and scientists looking to strengthen their understanding of extraction science and laboratory best practice
If SPME touches your work in any way, this well-planned course delivered by experts in the field equips you to understand the science behind these techniques.
Course combinations
Can’t attend the full course? No worries, combine days or modules to create training that works best for you. The more days you book the larger the discount.
- For 2 days, pay £1250
- For 3 days, pay £1825
- For 4 days, pay £2350
- For 5 days, pay £2850
Please note, discounts won’t apply when booking but will appear on your invoice.
Select the courses you are interested in:
Feedback from previous attendees
“Good mix of practical and theory. Good mix of platforms (Markes, Gerstel, Agilent etc) – not too focused on one.” delegate from UK government agency (September 2018).
“Very informative with no sales “gimics” unlike some manufacturers’ courses. Comprehensive course, liked the hands on presentation.” Alison Kuhl, Lab Manager, University of Bristol (May 2016).
“First class. [I enjoyed] the information, background and practical elements.” David Saunders, Laboratory Chemist, SI Group-UK (October 2015).
“The hands on element meant the theory learnt made more sense as you could see it put into practice.” PhD Student, Open University (April 2015).
“Very good course overall” Senior Scientist, UK Chemicals Company (April 2015).
“[I enjoyed] the method development theory and getting lots of useful information about how to improve things here.” Rebecca Nichols, QC Analyst, Quay Pharma (September 2014).
“[I enjoyed] hands on learning and learning about the various parts of the instrument.” QC Analyst (September 2014).
“[I enjoyed] the combination of theory and pratical, as well as the thorough knowledge of the instructors.” Analytical Development Scientist (September 2014).
“I enjoyed the way the presenter gave the course. I liked the useful slides and hand-outs.” Fatima Al Wahshi, a Research Scientist from the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company, who attended the 3-day course (Aug 2013).
“[I enjoyed] the mixture between the theoretical presentation and hands on the equipment for practical experiments.” Celia Laurence, a research assistant from The Open University (Aug 2013).
