HPLC Analysis for University & Academic Research

Flexible HPLC-UV analysis, method development, and quantitative testing for university researchers, graduate students, and research laboratories.

Analytical Support for Research That Doesn't Fit a Standard Test

Research samples don't always arrive with an established analytical method. SDE Chemicals supports research projects ranging from individual exploratory samples to recurring experimental studies, including projects requiring adaptation of literature methods or development of new chromatographic conditions.

Novel or research compounds
Reaction mixtures
Time-series experiments
Degradation studies
Quantitative concentration measurements
Purity & impurity investigations
Literature-method adaptation
Custom HPLC method development
Small sample sets

A researcher with six samples and an unusual compound may not be a priority for a large commercial testing lab. That's exactly the kind of project we're set up to handle.

Where We Fit Into Your Research

Academic chemistry and chemical-engineering research often generates questions that don't map cleanly onto a standardized test menu. These are the areas we see most often.

Reaction Monitoring

Track changes in reactants, products, intermediates, or degradation products across experimental time points — for example 0h → 1h → 2h → 4h → 8h → 24h — so you can see what's actually happening to your starting material and product as the reaction progresses.

Quantitative Analysis

Determine target-compound concentrations using calibration standards built for your specific analyte and matrix.

Method Development

Develop or adapt HPLC conditions when no suitable established method is available for your compound or matrix.

Purity & Impurity Analysis

Evaluate chromatographic composition and investigate secondary peaks, byproducts, or unexpected impurities.

Already Have a Method From the Literature?

You can send us a paper, thesis, published procedure, existing chromatographic conditions, or a previous laboratory method, and we'll evaluate whether it can be implemented or adapted on our instrumentation.

“Here's a paper. They used C18, 60:40 ACN/water, 254 nm. Can you run this?”

That's a much more approachable starting point than committing to a full, formal method-development program. If the published conditions work, great — if they need adjustment for your compound, sample, or our equipment, that's normal, and we'll scope what's needed.

What You'll Receive

Depending on project scope, results are delivered with the data you need to interpret and use them:

Chromatograms

Peak Tables & Integration Results

Calibration Curves

Calculated Concentrations

Method Conditions

Sample & Result Tables

We'll also share observations regarding separation quality or matrix interference where relevant to your results.

Nationwide Support, With a Local Advantage

We work with university researchers across the country — samples ship to us easily, and most projects are coordinated entirely by email. We're also based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to a major research university, and offer local sample drop-off for researchers in the area.

Learn About Michigan HPLC Services →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work with graduate students and academic labs?

Yes. We regularly support graduate researchers, PIs, and academic labs, including exploratory projects, thesis work, and grant-funded studies.

I only have a handful of samples — is that too small a project?

No. Small, exploratory sample sets are a good fit for us. Send us the details and we'll let you know directly whether it's workable.

Can I send a published method and ask if you can run it?

Yes. Share the paper, thesis, or method conditions and we'll evaluate whether it can be implemented as published or needs adaptation for your compound or our instrumentation.

Can you monitor a reaction across multiple time points?

Yes. Reaction monitoring across a time series is one of our core capabilities — tell us your sampling schedule and what you're tracking, and we'll scope the analysis.

What if no method exists yet for my compound?

We can develop one. See our HPLC method development page for how that process works.

How much does this cost, and what's the turnaround?

Pricing depends on sample count, whether method development is needed, and turnaround requirements. See our HPLC analysis pricing & service tiers for starting prices, or tell us about your project below.

Tell Us About Your Research Project

Share what you're working on and we'll let you know directly whether it's a good fit and what it would take to get started.

SDE Chemicals provides R&D analytical services, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with samples accepted nationwide.