A simple chromatographic technique using a thin layer of adsorbent material on a flat support to separate mixtures. Samples are spotted near the bottom and separated as solvent moves up the plate by capillary action.
Evolved from paper chromatography in the 1930s when scientists began using thin layers of silica gel on glass plates. The German word 'Dünnschichtchromatographie' was first used, later translated to emphasize the critical 'thin layer' aspect.
It's basically chromatography's budget-friendly cousin that you can literally see working with your naked eye! You can watch the colored spots crawl up the plate in real-time, making it perfect for teaching separation principles or quick lab analyses.
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