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Report on 18th

International Conference on Flow Injection Analysis

(ICFIA 2013) in Collaboration with the Japanese Association for Flow Injection

Analysis (JAFIA), held in Porto, Portugal, September 15-20, 2013.

Gary D. Christian

Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700

Seattle, WA 98195-1700 USA

1. Introduction

The joint meeting of ICFIA and JAFIA was held at the HP

Ipanema Porto, located at Campo Alegre. It was hosted by

António O. S. S. Rangel, Universidade Católica

Portuguesa/Porto, Chair, and Marcela A. Segundo, Universidade

do Porto, Co-Chair, and colleagues from the local organizing

committee: Andrea Galvis, Luís Magalhães, Raquel Mesquita,

Inês Santos, João Rodrigo Santos, IldikóTóth, and Susana

Vidigal.

There were over 140 participants from 25 countries and 5

continents. JAFIA was well represented with 17 participants.

Our Portuguese hosts had 21 participants.

Thanks are due to Norio Teshima as official photographer

who selected photos of events.

2. Social Events

A welcome reception was held on Sunday evening, with fine

Porto fare and cocktails, where regular attendees and new ones

met. On Tuesday evening, we enjoyed a guided tour to a port

wine cellar, where we sampled the famous port. Afterword, we

boarded a traditional rabelo boat on the Douro river for the six

bridges cruise, a pleasant evening with snacks and drinks.

Wednesday was free for an excursion to the historic town of

Guimarães, a World Heritage location by UNESCO. We

visited the medieval castle of Guimarães and the historical city

center, followed by a traditional lunch at the “Quinta da Torre”.

All enjoyed rock music and energetic dancing after lunch.

The conference banquet was held Thursday evening in Gaia,

on the left bank of river Douro. We enjoyed Herança Magna

traditional jantar, with a lively show.

3. Scientific Program

The program included 45 oral presentations and 115 poster

presentations, held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The oral presentations were chaired by Víctor Cerdà, Marek

Trojanowicz, Gary Christian, Jarda Ruzicka, Petr Solich,

Toshihiko Imato, Duangjai Nacapricha, Manuel Miró, Tadao

Sakai, Spas Kolev, Christopher Brett, Dalibor Ŝatínský, Aristidis

Anthemidis, Kate Grudpan, Shoji Motomizu, Ildikó Tóth,

Graham Marshall, Norio Teshima, Pawel Kościelniak, António

Rangel, and Marcela Segundo.

4. Opening Lecture The program began Monday morning with a lecture by Gary

Christian (University of Washington, USA): Publishing FIA

Research – The Do’s and Don’ts: Experiences of an Editor.

He gave advice to young researchers on how to structure a paper,

how to take advantage of peer reviews, and how to provide good

reviews, as well as pitfalls to avoid, citing examples of unethical

behavior by authors.

5. Keynote Lectures

Keynote lectures were given in the advances and directions of

instrumentation development and control. Jarda Ruzicka

(University of Hawaii, USA) led off with a presentation on flow

programming for flow injection and sequential injection. He

achieved a world record 160 samples per hour in SIA. Victor

Cerdà (University of the Balearic Islands, Spain) gave his view

of where flow analysis is going (Quo Vadis Flow?).

Christopher Brett (Universdade de Coimbra, Portugal) described

novel nanostructured modified electrodes and perspectives for

application as sensors in injection analysis. Shoji Motomizu

(Okayama University, Japan) presented computer-controlled

handling techniques for mobile chemistry. He introduced a

miniaturized liquid electrode plasma (LEP) AES detector. Kate

Grudpan (Chiang Mai University, Thailand) described newer

approaches for flow analysis, including a carbohydrate based

microfluidic Lab on Noodle (LON). Marek Trojanowicz

(University of Warsaw, Poland) reported on recent developments

in miniaturization of flow analysis.

6. Invited Lectures

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Other leaders gave invited lectures, emphasizing instrumentation

and sample preparation and processing. Toshihiko Imato

(Kyushu University, Japan) described a novel flow analysis

system using a compact disc-type microchip, based on

centrifugation. Petr Solich (Charles University, Czech

Republic) gave an overview of sequential injection

chromatography. Graham Marshall (Global FIA, USA)

described use of zone fluidics for automation of solvent

extraction. Carsten Frank (Institute Helmhotz-Zentrum,

Geesthacth GmbH, Germany) described programming flow

applications using open source software based on python

programming language and python modules. Spas Kolev (The

University of Melbourne, Australia) measured dissolved reactive

phosphorus with on-line extraction based on the use of a

polymer exclusion membrane. Tadao Sakai (Aichi Institute of

Technology, Japan), described the spectrophotometric

determination of direct bilirubin and urobilonogen in urine with

a simultaneous injection effective mixing analysis system.

Duangjai Nacapricha (Mahidol University, Thailand)

discussed approaches for green flow analytical methods.

Manuel Miró (University of the Balearic Islands) reported on

recent trends in automation and miniaturization of liquid-phase

microextraction using liquid membranes. Petr Chocholouš

(Charles University) described columns with alternative

retention and selectivity to RP-C18 sorbent to enhance the

separation capability in sequential injection chromatography.

Burkhard Horstkotte (Charles University) described in-syringe

magnetic stirring-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid

microextraction with solvents denser than water. Aristidis

Anthemidis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece) used

automatic countercurrent liquid-liquid micro-extraction coupled

with AAS for metal determination. Spas Kolev delivered the

invited lecture of colleague Ian McKelvie – who regrettably had

to cancel at the last minute because of illness – on the use of

photoreduction in the flow analysis determination of phosphate

in natural waters.

Finally, Robert Clough (Plymouth University, UK)

described flow injection ICP-MS as a powerful combination for

trace element measurements in seawater.

7. Oral Presentations

A) Instrumentation/detection

Moisés Knochen (Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay)

reported on open-source hardware/software platforms for control

and data-acquisition in automated flow systems, based on the

Arduina Project platforms. Wasin Wongwilai (Chiang Mai

University) described a remote flow analysis system via modern

information technology. Georgia Giakisikli (Aristotle

University of Thessaloniki) described a novel automatic cold

vapor AAS method based on a lab-in-syringe system.

Stanislawa Koronkiewicz (University of Warmia and

Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland) developed a direct-injection

chemiluminescence detector for applications in flow analysis.

Hitoshi Mizuguchi (Yamagata University, Japan) fabricated an

amperometric glucose biosensor using track-etched microporous

membrane electrodes. Tsutomu Nagaoka (Osaka Prefecture

University, Japan) described bacteria-imprinted conducting-

polymer based sensors as detectors. Shiho Tokonami (Osaka

Prefecture University) detected bacteria using a film with

transferred bacterial configuration.

Ryoichi Ishimatsu (Kyushu University) developed

electrogenerated chemiluminescence with thermally activated

delayed fluorescent materials for application as a light source for

fluorometric detection.

B) Separation, preconcentration, reactors, reagents

Dalibor Ŝatínský (Charles University) described a novel

approach in separation of polar compounds in flow systems

using hydrophilic interaction chromatography in an SIC system.

Kazuhiko Tsukagoshi (Doshisha University, Japan) described

uses of open-tubular capillary chromatography based on tube

radial distribution phenomenon of ternary mixed-solvents under

laminar flow conditions. Lívia Kocúrová (Povol Joseph

Ŝafárik University in Koŝice, Slovakia) reported on an

automated solvent microextraction system.

M. Inês G. S. Almeida (The Melbourne University)

developed a paper-based microfluidic device using a polymer

inclusion membrane as sensor. Kanokwan Kiwfo (Chiang Mai

University) described down-scaling systems for chemical

analysis employing chemical kinetics.

C) Applications

Maliwan Amatatongchai (Ubon Ratchathani University,

Thailand) determined sulfite in a flow injection system with

amperometric detection with a sulfite sensor using a glassy

carbon electrode modified with AuNPs/carbon nanotubes-PDDA.

Rasamee Chaisuksant (Silpakorn University, Thailand)

performed ABTS assay by sequential injection analysis using a

peristaltic pump and low cost electrochemical detection with

pencil lead electrodes.

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M. Emilia Ghica (Universdade de Coimbra) used batch

injection analysis for the monitoring of biomedical analytes.

Susana P. R. Costa (Universidade do Porto, Portugal) described

the automated evaluation of pharmaceutically active liquids’

(eco)toxicity. Nabil Adil Fakhre (University of Salahaddin,

Iraq) used stopped flow FIA spectrophotometric determination

of dopamine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations.

Alejandro Ayala (Aichi Institute of Technology) reported on

the catalytic determination of vanadium and iron in drinking

water by stopped-in-loop flow analysis. Andrey Y. Shihvov

(Saint-Petersburg University, Russia) described stepwise

injection multivariate spectrophotometric determination of

aluminum and iron in petroleum products. Inês C. Santos

(Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Portugal) performed

iodine speciation in bathing waters and seaweeds using a SI

flow-batch standard addition method. Makoto Kurihara

(Sizuoka University, Japan) used flow injection for the

determination of iodine in seaweed and drinking water using

catalytic oxidation of N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3,3’,5,5’-

tetramethylbenzidine.

FakhrEldin O. Suliman (Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate

of Oman) determined tranexamic acid using a peroxyolxalate

chemiluminescence system in a in a lab on a chip device.

Edyta Nalewajko-Sieliwoniuk (University of Bialystok, Poland)

determined polyphenolic compounds in Cirsium palustre (L.)

extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography with

chemiluminescence detection.

8. Poster Sessions and Poster Session Awards

Posters were held in three sessions, following lunch on Monday,

Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons. There were 115 posters

from 23 countries, including in addition to the already 16

mentioned countries: Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Mexico,

Pakistan, and Serbia. There were additional participants from

Algeria and Jordan, for a total of 25 countries. Presentations

covered a broad spectrum of flow analysis topics: fundamental

studies, instrumentation, microfluidics, detection, on-line

processing, and applications.

The Japanese Association for Flow Injection Analysis

continued their tradition of awards for best poster presentations

for participating students and young researchers. Posters were

judged by Gary Christian, Toshihiko Imato, Manuel Miró,

António Rangel, Jarda Ruzicka, and Petr Solich. The awards

were presented at the Gala Dinner.

Student award winners were: Inês Carvalho dos Santos,

Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Portugal (Development

of a µSI-LOV system for the spectrophotometric determination

of cadmium and lead: preliminary studies); Milton Katsumi

Sasaki, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Tracer-monitored flow

titrations); Ivana Šrámková, Charles University Prague, Czech

Republic (Automation of DLLME procedure for propofol

determination in serum using DV-SIA system); Irina Timofeeva,

Saint Petersburg State University, Russian Federation (Stepwise

injection spectrophotometric determination of ammonium ions in

concrete with headspace single drop microextraction); and Mai

Yamashita, Aichi Institute Technology, Japan (Determination of

Phenol Index in Wastewater by Using a compact Distillation

System and Subsequent Sequential Injection Analysis.

Younger researcher award winners were: Nathawut

Choengchan, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology

Ladkrabang, Thailand (Coupling of sequential injection with

monolithic column for on-line sample dilution prior to separation

of phenolic compounds in wood vinegar); Burkhard Horstkotte,

Charles University Prague, Czech Republic (In-Syringe Head-

Space Single-Drop Extraction of Ethanol); Raquel Beatriz

Ribeiro de Mesquita, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto,

Portugal (Sequential injection analysis methodologies applied to

monitoring water quality from a constructed wetland and a

pond); Inês Ramos, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

(Antioxidant capacity assessment of wine under lab-on-valve

format towards a stopped flow approach); and José António

Rodriguez, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo,

Mexico (Sequential injection magneto chromatography

determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in

pharmaceutical formulations).

9. JAFIA Awards

The Japanese Association for Flow Injection Analysis presented,

at the banquet, their prestigious FIA awards for 2013, consisting

of a certificate and a medal. Pawel Kościelniak and Manuel

Miró received the Award for Science, and Hitoshi Mizuguchi

received the Award for Young Researchers. Our

congratulations to all.

10. JAFIA Celebrates Thirty Years

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of JAFIA. JAFIA and

JFIA have had a great influence on Japanese researchers, as well

as those worldwide. Our congratulations to them on this

special occasion. For a tribute and a brief history of JAFIA, see

JFIA, Vol. 30, No. 1, June, 2013, p. 2

11. Jarda Ruzicka New Tutorial

Jarda introduced the fifth edition of his tutorial: Flow Injection

Analysis 2013 edition, Tutorial & News on Flow Based micro

Analytical Techniques. Rather than being presented on a CD

as in the past, it is now available on line:

http://www.flowinjectiontutorial.com.

It is a living document that can be readily updated. The

web format allows digital imaging, movie clips, and internet

connectivity. A news section provides information about

professional meetings and new products. The updated Elo

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Hansen database comprises over 22,000 references, searchable

on line.

12. Sponsors/Exhibition

Institutional sponsors included: the College of Biotechnology,

Portuguese Catholic University/Porto; Faculty of Pharmacy,

University of Porto; Portuguese Chemical Society; Japanese

Association for Flow Injection Analysis.

Industrial and government sponsors were: I.L.C. –

Instrumentos de Laboratório e Cientificos, Lda; Waters Portugal;

SCANSCI; IMPERIAL – Produtos Alimentaares, S.A.;

CASTELBEL – Artigos de Beleza, S.A.; Nutrally; Unicer -

Bebidas, SA; Porto Editora; Associação de Turismo do Porto e

Norte, A.R.; Porto & Northern Portugal Tourism Board; Porto

Convention & Visitors Bureau; Departamento de Turismo,

|Tourism Department, Câmara Municipal do Porto, Porto City

Council.; Unicer-Bebides, SA; Porto Editora; Viera de Castro.

Exhibitors were: FIAlab Instruments, Inc

(http://www.flowinjection.com); Global FIA,

Inc.(http://www.globalfia.com); SCANSCI

(http://www.scansci.pt); SCIWARE SYSTEMS, S.L

(http://www.sciware-sl.com).

13. Publication of the Proceedings

Papers for the conference will be submitted for peer review for a

Virtual Special Issue of Talanta, with Guest Editors António

Rangel and Marcela Segundo. Accepted papers will be

published individually in regular issues, with a footnote to

indicate at which conference the paper was presented, which will

be used to link to the Virtual Special issue. In this manner, no

manuscript publication delay will occur.

14. ICFIA 19

ICFIA 19 will be hosted by Toshihiko Imato from Kyushu

University in Fukuoka, Japan, to be held November 30 to

December 5, 2014. The venue will be ACROS Fukuoka, a

convention center located in the center of Fukuoka

(http://www.acros.or.jp/english/). The website for the

conference will be http://jafia.kyushu-u.ac.jp/. The contact for

Toshihiko is imato@cstf.kyushu-u.ac.jp.

The International Steering Committee met on Thursday to

discuss the future of the conference. The next venue will be

decided at the Fukuoka meeting.