chromatography

[kroh-muh-tog-ruh-fee]

noun

Chemistry.

1. the separation of mixtures into their constituents by preferential adsorption by a solid, as a column of silica column chromatography or a strip of filter paper paper chromatography, or by a liquid.

chromatography

/ ˌkrəʊmətəˈɡræfɪk, ˌkrəʊməˈtɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the technique of separating and analysing the components of a mixture of liquids or gases by selective adsorption in, for example, a column of powder ( column chromatography ) or on a strip of paper ( paper chromatography ) See also gas chromatography

chromatography

1. A technique used to separate the components of a chemical mixture by moving the mixture along a stationary material, such as gelatin. Different components of the mixture are caught by the material at different rates and form isolated bands that can then be analyzed.

Other Word Forms

• chromatographer noun
• chromatographically adverb
• chromatographic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatography¹

First recorded in 1725–35; chromato- + -graphy

Example Sentences

The researchers used a technique called gas chromatography to separate the different smells inside the sarcophagus that combined to make its scent.

Read more on BBC

She also uses soil chromatography, a photographic process that indicates the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the earth.

Read more on BBC

It used analytical techniques such as size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy allowing scientists to examine not just how the teabags had changed visibly but also structurally.

Read more on Science Daily

They also looked at the chemical profiles of the cultures using high-performance liquid chromatography, both at the culture and single-cell level.

Read more on Science Daily

The researchers used a wire coil to externally apply a magnetic field to a glass chromatography column filled with stacked disks of stainless-steel mesh.

Read more on Science Daily