60 Years of Field-Flow Fractionation – A Technology That is Shaping the Future of Separation Science
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the invention of Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) - a milestone worth celebrating for everyone working with complex and delicate macromolecules and particles.
Invented in 1966 by J. Calvin Giddings, FFF introduced a fundamentally new separation principle: no stationary phase, but an external field applied perpendicular to laminar flow. What started as a bold theoretical concept quickly evolved into a versatile family of techniques, enabling separations that were previously impossible with conventional chromatography techniques.
In 1995, Dr. Thorsten Klein brought forth the next milestone with the development of the world's first commercial Asymmetrical Flow FFF (AF4) at Technical University of Munich, Germany, followed by the foundation of Postnova Analytics GmbH in 1997.
In particular since the turn of the millennium, with the increasing use of nanomaterials, FFF has proven its unique strengths. From polymers, proteins, and biopharmaceuticals to nanoparticles and viruses, to name just a few, FFF has become an indispensable tool wherever gentle, high-resolution size and molar mass separation is required. Its ability to preserve native structures while delivering meaningful characterization data has driven its steady adoption in life science, materials science, and environmental science.
The success of FFF is also a story of continuous innovation at Postnova — in instrumentation, detectors, and applications. As the leading innovator, we have developed numerous devices and analytical tools, now used in universities, scientific institutions and cutting-edge research laboratories worldwide.
Looking ahead, the journey is far from over. Emerging fields such as advanced nanomedicine, gene and cell therapies, sustainable materials, and complex biologics are creating new analytical challenges - and new opportunities for FFF. As samples grow more complex and regulatory expectations rise, the need for powerful yet gentle separation techniques will only increase.As a matter of fact, ISO 21362:2026 for standards has just been published earlier this month. Another milestone! ISO 21362:2026
"As the leading manufacturer of FFF systems, Postnova Analytics GmbH is proud to contribute to this legacy and to help shape the next chapters of Field-Flow Fractionation" says CEO Dr Thorsten Klein.
Here’s to 60 years of innovation - and to the discoveries still ahead.
Celebrations will take place in Washington, DC from 17 to 20 May 2026 at the iSFFF 2026 https://isfff2026.org/
