Thermal modulation for gas chromatography

[0030] The following description of the various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0031] The present teachings provide devices and associated methods for achieving rapid and efficient thermal modulation of the capillary for two-dimensional gas chromatography (2DGC). The present teachings are also applicable to sample pre-concentration in both single column and 2D gas chromatography. In one aspect, the present teachings provide a thermal modulator device for gas chromatography. The thermal modulator device includes a cooling member and an electrically conductive capillary in direct thermal contact with the cooling member. In various aspects discussed below, the cooling member can be a gaseous, liquid or a solid coolant. A power supply 190 (shown in FIG. 1B) operates for controlling resistive heating of the capillary. The cooling member can also be a solid coolant that includes a layer capable of changing