Abstract: Novel particles and materials for chromatographic separations, processes for preparation and separations devices containing the chromatographic particles and materials are provided by the instant invention. In particular, the invention provides a porous inorganic/organic hybrid particle, wherein the inorganic portion of the hybrid particle is present in an amount ranging from about 0 molar % to not more than about 49 molar %, wherein the pores of the particle are substantially disordered. The invention also provides a porous inorganic/organic hybrid particle, wherein the inorganic portion of the hybrid particle is present in an amount ranging from about 25 molar % to not more than about 50 molar %, wherein the pores of the particle are substantially disordered and wherein the particle has a chromatographically enhancing pore geometry (CEPG). Methods for producing the hybrid particles, separations devices comprising the hybrid particles and kits are also provided.

Abstract: A method for matching a precursor ion with one or more related product ions includes providing input data sets obtained from sample injections, each of the data sets including a precursor ion and one or more product ions, normalizing the input data sets in accordance with a single retention time for the precursor ion, determining which product ions are within a predetermined retention time window with respect to the single retention time, and, if a product ion is within the predetermined retention time window for a specified number of the input data sets, determining that the product ion is related to the precursor having the single retention time. An apparatus for analyzing a sample includes a chromatography module, a mass-spectrometry module in communication with the chromatography module, and a control unit in communication with the chromatography module and the mass-spectrometry module.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of chemical analysis entail acquiring a chromatogram, median filtering the chromatogram to produce a model baseline, smoothing the model baseline to reduce noise, and subtracting the smoothed model baseline from the acquired chromatogram to produce a modified chromatogram having a substantially flat baseline.

Abstract: Featured are devices, methods and kits for preparation of samples of peptides and proteins from a solution; more particularly to such devices and methods in which carbon nanotubes are utilized for sample preparation and/or purification of peptide and/or protein samples from a solution. A sample to be treated/processed can comprise proteins, peptides or any other molecule having an amine moiety that can be protonated under low pH, such as, but not limited to, pH 5. Such a sample also can contain contaminants such as salts, detergents, etc. that will be eliminated during the sample preparation/purification process of the present invention. The methods, devices and kits of the present invention advantageously provide for the concentration of the sample, removal of contaminants and ease of manipulation of small liquids without the concomitant loss of sample.

Abstract: A method for making conduits includes inserting an inner tube into an outer tube and melting a portion of the inner tube to form a bond with the outer tube. The inner tube includes a polymeric material and the outer tube includes a material having a greater yield strength than the polymeric material. A conduit includes one or more inner tubes at least one of which is melt-bonded to one or more outer tubes. An analytical instrument includes a separation column, a solvent reservoir and pump, a sample injector, a detector to observe an eluent of the separation column, and tubing to transport fluid between components of the instrument.

Abstract: A cooling system employs a single-acting positive displacement bellows pump to transfer a cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen from a storage dewar to a heat exchanger coupled to a measurement chamber of an instrument, wherein cooling takes place by vaporizing the liquid. Preferably, the capacity of the pump is greater than the maximum cooling requirement of the instrument, wherein both vapor resulting from vaporizing of the cryogenic liquid circulated through the heat exchanger and liquid that does not vaporize when circulated through the heat exchanger are returned to the storage dewar, wherein the vapor is subsequently vented from the dewar. Preferably, with the aid of a weir in a return line, the level of liquid in the heat exchanger is maintained full and constant, and the cooling demands are automatically met without the need for other control of the flow rate or level of the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous carbon-heteroatom-silicon inorganic/organic homogenous copolymeric hybrid materials, methods for their preparation, and uses thereof, e.g., as chromatographic separations materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for placing a sample in a chromatographic system. The device and method feature placing samples held in a sample loop to pressurization prior to placing such sample loop in communication with high pressure conduits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and devices (11) for placing light with samples for analysis and method of making and using such apparatus and device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices and methods for propelling fluids that feature at least one first pump assembly having a primary pump, an accumulator pump, drive means, valve means and control means. The valve means moves between the first position and the second position as the accumulator pump and primary pump alternate between a loading movement and a pump movement. The control means is in signal communication with the accumulator pump, the primary pump and the valve means. The control means issues signal command to the accumulator pump to assume the loading movement and the pump movement and the primary pump to assume the loading movement and pump movement in coordination with the movement of the valve means such that fluids are propelled from the first outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a device (11) for performing separations, methods of making and using such device (11). The device (11) includes a tubular member (13) having an exterior surface (17) and an interior surface (19). The interior surface (19) defines a chamber (25) having an outlet end (23) and an inlet end (21) for containing a separation media (15). The chamber (25) has a length dimension extending between the inlet end (21) and the outlet end (23), and at least one width dimension. A separation media (15) is constructed and arranged in a packing of particles in the chamber wherein the particles of the separation media (15) proximal to at least one of the inlet end (21) or outlet end (23) are fused to retain the separation media (15).

Abstract: A valve including a linear positioning component operatively connected to a valve body and an actuating element.

Abstract: A high-performance liquid-chromatography apparatus includes a substrate that defines a separation column in fluidic communication with an inlet port of the processing unit. The processing unit is formed of sintered inorganic particles. The apparatus also includes a pump that delivers a solvent to the inlet port at a pressure sufficient for high-performance liquid-chromatography.

Abstract: A method (100) for analyzing chemicals includes fractionating a complex sample into at least two sample portions that each includes potions of two polypeptides though in different concentration ratios, digesting and performing LC/MS on each of the sample portions (110, and associating precursor ions observed via LC/MS with their corresponding polypeptide in response to LC/MS provided intensity data (170). A set of precursor ions that has substantially similar intensity ratios in both sample portions is determined to be associated with the same polypeptide.

Abstract: Absolute quantitation of protein in a sample is provided by comparing a sum or average of the N highest ionization intensities observed for peptides of a particular protein along with a calibration standard. The calibration standard can be in the form of a table generated by prior protein peptide analysis performed using one or more pre-determined proteins. The comparison is used to determine a corresponding absolute quantity of protein based on the observed sum or average of ionization intensities. A simple conversion factor can be applied to the calibration standard value to determine the absolute quantity of protein in the sample.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature methods and apparatus for performing chromatographic separations. The invention feature methods and control means in the form of computer programs and software that control the formation of a concentration gradient at two or more total flow rates, with an elution period occurring in a slow flow rate and at least other portions of the gradient occurring during a fast total flow rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for mixing fluids (i.e., gases or liquids), and more particularly an assembly that accurately mixes two or more high-pressure fluid sources and is adapted for use in applications, such as for example, chromatography. The mixer assembly includes, inter alia, a housing, an inlet fitting, and a mixer cartridge assembly. The housing has a fluid receiving section and a fluid discharge section with a fluid outlet formed therein. A central bore extends between the fluid receiving section and fluid discharge section. An inlet fitting is engaged with the housing and has first and second fluid inlet ports formed therein that extend from the fitting exterior to the fluid receiving section of the housing. A mixer cartridge assembly is disposed within the central bore of the housing and is positioned between the inlet fitting and the downstream end portion of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for LC/IMS/MS analysis involve obtaining noisy raw data from a sample, convolving the data with an artifact-reducing filter, and locating, in retention-time, ion mobility, and mass-to-charge-ratio dimensions, one or more ion peaks of the convolved data.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a column configuration which allows for suspension of the beads, such as a mobile bead, during washing results in significantly lower levels of background and hence more sensitive levels of quantitation. The present invention provides columns, kits, and methods for more sensitive detection of a toxin or other analyte.

Abstract: System and methods are described for dynamically controlling operation of a rheometer. A program is created on a programming interface for executing a test upon a sample in a rheometer by receiving user selections of a plurality of nodes and connections of each node to another node according to directional connection indicators. Nodes indicate steps for performing a test upon a sample or configuring a rheometer for performing a test upon a sample. Scripts are created for generating a sequence of instructions to the rheometer. The scripts include instructions for performing steps indicated by each of the selected nodes and in accordance with the directional connection indicators. Low-level instructions are downloaded from the scripts for execution in the rheometer, and drivers in the rheometer are instructed for performing the downloaded instructions.