Abstract: An ion transfer device includes a tube, a resistive layer on an inside surface of the tube, and a dielectric layer on the resistive layer. The device defines a conduit providing a transfer path for gas and ions. The conduit is surrounded by the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer protects the resistive layer from the chemical environment in the conduit, while being thin enough to allow charges to pass through the dielectric layer and be dissipated by the resistive layer.

Abstract: An ion transfer device for transferring ions from a first chamber to a second, reduced-pressure chamber includes a tube and a bore selector. The tube includes a plurality of tube bores. The bore selector is positioned at an inlet end of the tube and includes an inlet port. The tube is movable relative to the bore selector, and/or the bore selector is movable relative to the tube, to align the inlet port with a selected one of the tube bores while blocking the other tube bores. Alignment of the inlet port with the selected tube bore defines an ion transfer path from the first chamber, through the selected tube bore, and to the second chamber. The ion transfer device may be utilized, for example, in an atmospheric-pressure interface of a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system includes a multi-capillary GC column coupled to a mass analyzer through an ionization interface. The ionization interface includes an ionization device and an ion guide configured for receiving a high-capacity gas-sample flow from the GC column and transmitting a compressed ion beam to the mass analyzer. The ion beam may be converging.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system includes a multi-capillary GC column coupled to a mass analyzer through an ionization interface. The ionization interface includes an ionization device and an ion guide configured for receiving a high-capacity gas-sample flow from the GC column and transmitting a compressed ion beam to the mass analyzer. The ion beam may be converging.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for computing small particle size distributions of particles in a process stream comprising a sample dilute colloid. A reference matrix of pre-computed reference vectors is provided. Each reference vector represents a discrete particle size or particle size range of a particle size distribution of particles contained in a dilute colloid. Each reference vector represents a reference extinction spectrum over a predetermined wavelength range. A measurement vector representing a measured extinction spectrum of the sample particles in the sample colloid is provided, wherein the measured extinction spectrum has been spectrophotometrically measured over the wavelength range. The particle size distribution and particle concentrations of the particles in the sample colloid are determined using the reference matrix, the measurement vector and linear equations.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for computing small particle size distributions. A reference matrix of pre-computed reference vectors is provided, with each reference vector representing a discrete particle size or particle size range of a particle size distribution of particles contained in a dilute colloid. A measurement vector of measured extinction values of a sample dilute colloid is provided, wherein the measured extinction values have been measured by spectrophotometric measurement at the discrete wavelengths. Size distribution and concentrations of particles in the sample dilute colloid are determined using linear equations, the reference matrix and the reference vector.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for computing small particle size distributions of particles in a process stream comprising a sample dilute colloid. A reference matrix of pre-computed reference vectors is provided. Each reference vector represents a discrete particle size or particle size range of a particle size distribution of particles contained in a dilute colloid. Each reference vector represents a reference extinction spectrum over a predetermined wavelength range. A measurement vector representing a measured extinction spectrum of the sample particles in the sample colloid is provided, wherein the measured extinction spectrum has been spectrophotometrically measured over the wavelength range. The particle size distribution and particle concentrations of the particles in the sample colloid are determined using the reference matrix, the measurement vector and linear equations.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for computing small particle size distributions. A reference matrix of pre-computed reference vectors is provided, with each reference vector representing a discrete particle size or particle size range of a particle size distribution of particles contained in a dilute colloid. A measurement vector of measured extinction values of a sample dilute colloid is provided, wherein the measured extinction values have been measured by spectrophotometric measurement at the discrete wavelengths. Size distribution and concentrations of particles in the sample dilute colloid are determined using linear equations, the reference matrix and the reference vector.

Abstract: The nanostructure-based electronic device comprises a solid support, an organic template layer, a nanostructure and electrodes. The organic template layer is on the surface of the solid support, and has a surface comprising a pair of spaced, electrically-charged regions arranged in tandem in an electrically-neutral background. The nanostructure is elongate, is electrically-conducting, and extends between the charged regions. The electrodes are located the surface of the template layer and are at least co-extensive with the charged regions.

Abstract: A stepwise contraction and adsorption nanolithography (SCAN) patterning process can shrink complex microstructures (produced by current microfabrication technology) into the nanometer region. The basis of SCAN is to transfer a pre-engineered microstructure onto a extended elastomer. This extended elastomer is then allowed to relax, reducing the microstructure accordingly. The new miniaturized structure is then used as a stamp to transfer the structure onto another stretched elastomer. Through iterations of this procedure, patterns of materials with pre-designed geometry are miniaturized to the desired dimensions, including sub-100 ran. The simplicity and high throughput capability of SCAN make the platform a competitive alternative to other micro- and nanolithography techniques for potential applications in multiplexed sensors, non-binary optical displays, biochips, nanoelectronics devices, and microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscopy (SPM) probe functionalized for use in molecular recognition imaging comprises a cantilever element, a nanowire, a catalyst nanoparticle, a probe molecule and an elongate, flexible linking molecule. The cantilever element has a crystalline growth surface at one end. The nanowire extends substantially orthogonally from the growth surface. The catalyst nanoparticle is located at the distal end of the nanowire, remote from the growth surface. The linking molecule extends between the catalyst nanoparticle and the probe molecule.

Abstract: The functionalizable nanowire-based AFM probe comprises a cantilever element, a semiconductor nanowire and a catalyst nanoparticle. The cantilever element comprises a crystalline growth surface at one end. The semiconductor nanowire extends substantially orthogonally from the growth surface and, hence from the cantilever element. The catalyst nanoparticle is located at the distal end of the nanowire, remote from the growth surface. The catalyst nanoparticle comprises a material having a greater tendency to bond with a functionalizing molecule moiety than the semiconductor material of the nanowire.

Abstract: A nanoscale biomolecule sensor includes a nanoscale sensor element connected between a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, the nanoscale sensor element coated with a capture agent. The sensor includes an electrode arrangement operable to establish a temporary electric field in the vicinity of the nanoscale sensor element, the temporary electric field oriented to move biomolecules of interest and other biomolecules having the same charge polarity as the biomolecules of interest toward the nanoscale sensor element where the biomolecules of interest specifically bind with the capture agent, the biomolecules of interest bound to the capture agent having an electric charge that changes an electrical property of the nanoscale sensor element measurable between the electrical terminals.