Abstract: One or more liquids are transferred from a source array to one or more remotely positioned destination sites such as chambers by utilizing one or more movable transfer elements, such as contact pins or capillaries. The source array may include a predetermined organization of addresses at which materials are positioned. One or more materials may be selected for transfer. Based on the selection, one or more addresses may be accessed by the transfer element(s). The addresses may correspond to spots on a surface of the source array. Each spot may be a feature containing one or more (bio)chemical compounds. At the chamber(s), the material(s) may be processed, such by reaction with one or more reagents. The reaction(s) may entail synthesis of one or more desired products. Alternatively, reaction(s) may be performed at the source array, and the product(s) then transferred to the chamber(s).

Abstract: A droplet-based microfluidic device having a first confining plate, a second confining plate, and an actuator. Each confining plate includes a respective substrate and hydrophobic layer having a planar major surface. The first confining plate additionally includes a common electrode between its hydrophobic layer and substrate. The second confining plate includes an electrode array between its hydrophobic layer and substrate. The confining plates are disposed opposite one another with their major surfaces separated from one another by a gap. The actuator is to impart oscillatory sliding motion between the confining plates in a direction principally parallel to the major surfaces. The oscillatory sliding motion effectively allows voltages applied between the common electrode and the electrodes of the electrode array to move a microfluidic droplet located in the gap across the major surfaces without sticking.

Abstract: One or more liquids are transferred from a source array to one or more remotely positioned destination sites such as chambers by utilizing one or more movable transfer elements, such as contact pins or capillaries. The source array may include a predetermined organization of addresses at which materials are positioned. One or more materials may be selected for transfer. Based on the selection, one or more addresses may be accessed by the transfer element(s). The addresses may correspond to spots on a surface of the source array. Each spot may be a feature containing one or more (bio)chemical compounds. At the chamber(s), the material(s) may be processed, such by reaction with one or more reagents. The reaction(s) may entail synthesis of one or more desired products. Alternatively, reaction(s) may be performed at the source array, and the product(s) then transferred to the chamber(s).

Abstract: A sample sprayer includes a first conduit for conducting a liquid sample, a second conduit surrounding the first conduit to define an annular passage for conducting a gas, a sprayer tip in which a fluid interaction region receives the liquid sample and the gas. The sprayer tip is configured to produce a sample spray by contact between the liquid sample and the gas in the fluid interaction region and emit the sample spray from the orifice. An adjustable positioning device is configured to translate the first conduit along the longitudinal axis in response to adjustment of the positioning device, wherein an axial position of the first conduit is adjustable relative to the orifice.

Abstract: A sample droplet generator transforms a segmented array of sample material into a continuous stream of droplets containing analytes. The droplets may serve as a sample source for a wide range of detectors and analytical instruments. As one example, the droplets may be introduced into an ion source of a spectrometer that measures ions produced from the droplets or photons emitted from the droplets.

Abstract: A sample droplet generator transforms a segmented array of sample material into a continuous stream of droplets containing analytes. The droplets may serve as a sample source for a wide range of detectors and analytical instruments. As one example, the droplets may be introduced into an ion source of a spectrometer that measures ions produced from the droplets or photons emitted from the droplets.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the motion of a particle and a method for using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a channel containing liquid between first and second electrodes. The apparatus also includes an array of variable impedance elements, each variable impedance element connecting the first electrode to a corresponding location in the channel by a path having an average impedance that is continuously variable between first and second impedances when averaged over an update time interval. A controller sets the average impedance of each of the variable impedance elements such that a particle in the channel moves in a predetermined direction when voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the variable impedance elements has an average impedance that is intermediate between the first and second impedances.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing relative concentrations of first and second analyte substances in an analyte sample comprises a sample cell defining a sample chamber therewithin, and a semipermeable boundary member disposed in the sample chamber to define first and second sides of the sample chamber. Sample flow input and sample flow output ducts direct an analyte sample containing respective initial concentrations of the first and second analyte substances into the first side of the sample chamber. The semipermeable boundary member permits diffusion therethrough of the first and second analyte substances to the second side of the sample chamber at different rates. An analyte sample in the second side of the sample chamber, and an analyte sample exiting the first side via the sample flow output duct, have respective concentrations of the first and second analyte substances that are different from the initial concentrations.

Abstract: An aerosol is produced by flowing a liquid sample through a gas-assisted nebulizer. The liquid exits from an outlet into a coaxial flow of gas. The outlet includes a sharp edge that inhibits or prevents accumulation of precipitates from the liquid, thereby reducing or eliminating clogging, which is particularly useful for a samples containing high concentrations of dissolved particles. The aerosol may be introduced into a plasma such that molecules are broken into atoms. The atomization may be followed by an analysis such as by optical emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention includes a heat sealable capsule adapted for use in analysis devices such as GCs, and methods for using the capsules to perform analysis in such devices. The capsules include a tube having an end that is heat-sealed to contain a sample that is to be analyzed at an injection temperature. The tube includes a heat sealable medium having a heat seal that closes the end, the tube having an inner and outer surface, both of the surfaces being substantially chemically inert with respect to the sample. The tube is substantially free of any material that outgases at the injection temperature. The tube is openable without breaking into pieces, and remains intact at the injection temperature. The capsule can include a programmable tag that stores information related to the sample contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a heat sealable capsule adapted for use in analysis devices such as GCs, and methods for using the capsules to perform analysis in such devices. The capsules include a tube having an end that is heat-sealed to contain a sample that is to be analyzed at an injection temperature. The tube includes a heat sealable medium having a heat seal that closes the end, the tube having an inner and outer surface, both of the surfaces being substantially chemically inert with respect to the sample. The tube is substantially free of any material that outgases at the injection temperature. The tube is openable without breaking into pieces, and remains intact at the injection temperature. The capsule can include a programmable tag that stores information related to the sample contained therein.

Abstract: An illumination device provides light to a flowing gaseous sample. The device includes a structure including a cavity configured to have a microplasma disposed therein. The cavity substantially encircles a cross-section of a channel that is configured to pass the flowing gaseous sample therethrough. The cavity is defined in part by an interior wall of the structure separating the cavity from the channel. The interior wall includes at least one orifice passing therethrough configured to provide to the flowing gaseous sample light generated by the microplasma. At least one electrode is configured to supply energy to the microplasma within the cavity.

Abstract: Assay chambers that include a form-in-place gasket between a substrate and a cover, and methods of forming such assay chambers, are described. The assay chambers may further be associated with an analysis site for analyzing a sample solution contained within the assay chamber.

Abstract: An illumination method and device has a micro-wave powered plasma source contained by a windowless plasma containment structure. When incorporated as a photo-ionization device in an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), the resolution of the spectrometer may be improved by operation at higher pressures and through selective ionization of elements and compounds. A gas flows into a discharge gap of a micro-wave ring resonator, but is restricted from flowing away by the windowless containment structure. When microwave power is supplied, the discharge gap is energized and a plasma initiated and sustained. Photons emitted by the plasma photo-ionize a sample gas. As the containment structure is windowless, the wavelength of the emitted radiation depends on the plasma-forming gas, not on the transmission characteristics of a window material. The range of substances in the sample that are ionized may be influenced by selecting the plasma-forming gas.

Abstract: A method of obtaining ions of an analyte is disclosed. The method includes aerosolizing a sample using a thermal liquid jetting device or a piezoelectric liquid jetting device to obtain an aerosol without ionizing the sample. The sample includes the analyte in a solvent. The method further includes drying the aerosol to obtain gas phase solvent and gas phase analyte, and ionizing the gas phase analyte to obtain ions thereof. An ion source using the method for obtaining ions of an analyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include sample ionizing devices and methods of use thereof. Embodiments of the sample ionizing devices include a microplasma generation source with a plasma generation region, a sample input port for delivering a sample to the plasma generation region, and a gas flow element configured to flow gas through the microplasma generation source independently of the sample input port. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of different applications, including analyte detection applications.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer using a variable energy photoionization device for ionizing and/or cleaving molecules is disclosed. The device permits ionizing photon wavelengths to be selected from a range of wavelengths allowing the ionizing photon energies to be tuned so as to ionize molecules without excessive fragmentation or to cleave molecules in a controlled manner by breaking only certain molecular bonds. Selection of the wavelengths is afforded by the choice of a plasma-forming gas combined with windowlessly radiating the ionizing photons from a plasma chamber. A method of mass spectrometry featuring selected ionizing photon wavelengths is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining ions of an analyte is disclosed. The method includes aerosolizing a sample using a thermal liquid jetting device or a piezoelectric liquid jetting device to obtain an aerosol without ionizing the sample. The sample includes the analyte in a solvent. The method further includes drying the aerosol to obtain gas phase solvent and gas phase analyte, and ionizing the gas phase analyte to obtain ions thereof. An ion source using the method for obtaining ions of an analyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of testing multiple fluid samples with multiple biopolymer arrays. A cover is assembled to a contiguous substrate carrying on a first side, multiple arrays each with multiple regions of biopolymers linked to the substrate, such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own port. Multiple fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through a port of each such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays. A binding pattern of the arrays is observed. An apparatus and kit useful in such methods, are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include systems for producing microarray assay devices. Further aspects of the invention include assembled microarray assay devices, as well as methods of assembling the devices and methods of using the assembled devices.