Abstract: Atmospheric pressure ionization (API) interface structures such as API interface structures for mass spectrometers and related components, systems and methods are described herein.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry system includes a chromatographic column through which an effluent passes, wherein the effluent comprises a plurality of analytes that correspond to a plurality of chromatographic peaks and an eluent; a post-column splitter having at least two output ports through which the effluent of the column is split to at least a first portion and a second portion; a mass spectrometer configured to receive the first portion from a first of the output ports for analysis; and a tube connected to a second of the output ports configured to prevent substantial evaporation of the eluent in the second portion until undergoing mass spectrometry. The second portion has a plurality of separated analytes corresponding to at least two chromatographic peaks. A method of using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing analyte electrolysis in use with electrospray ionization, electrophoresis, electro osmosis, electrodialysis and any apparatuses involving contact of liquids and electrodes is disclosed. The method for preventing analyte alteration by electrolysis reactions at electrode surfaces of an electrochemical system and in an electrochemical process includes coating the electrode surface using electrically insulating material including but not limited to polymers, plastics, and organic compounds by coating methods including but not limited to liquid spraying, spinning, molding, Sol Gel, dipping, physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition at various ambient and substrate temperatures.

Abstract: An ultra-low volume fraction collection and concentration method provides practical application in collecting fractions, e.g. as low as 25 nL, from nanoLC columns into pipette tips at user-defined timed-intervals. The fractions are dried to create a concentrated band at the very end of the interior of the pipette tip and subsequently reconstituted directly in the pipette tips in solvent prior to analysis. As the chromatography and reconstitution solvent choice are independent, the reconstitution solvent can be selected to maximize ionization efficiency without compromising chromatography separation. In the infusion analysis of the nanoLC fractions, a low flow electrospray chip enables each nanoLC fraction to be analyzed for over ten minutes. This increase in analysis time allows for advantages over prior methods. Optionally, the nanoLC fractions can be archived in the pipette tips for analysis at a later date.

Abstract: A microfabricated silicon chip with a separation material, such as in situ prepared porous polymer monoliths in its microchannels is disclosed. The polymer monoliths are liquid-permeable and serve as microcolumns for liquid chromatography, which are prepared by in situ radical polymerization of a mixture containing vinyl monomers and solvents (porogen) in the microchannels. A method and system are disclosed to generate one or more electrospray plumes from one or more nozzles that provide an ion intensity as measured by a mass spectrometer that is approximately proportional to the number of electrospray plumes formed for analyses contained within the fluid. A plurality of electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized separate electrospray devices for the purpose of generating multiple electrospray plumes from multiple nozzles for the same fluid for analysis.

Abstract: A dielectric film is provided which includes a base layer and a capping layer, preferably silicon oxynitride, wherein the film is an effective moisture and ion barrier when disposed between a conductive substrate and a liquid having an electrical potential different than the electrical potential of the substrate.

Abstract: An electrospray nozzle system is disclosed. The electrospray portion of the device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray. The nozzle system may be utilized alone or as part of a liquid chromatography system.

Abstract: An electrospray device is disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle of microchip-based electrospray device is disclosed. The method includes using a primary mask to accurately define the nozzle feature including the annulus and the through hole of the electrospray device. A secondary masking step is conducted to pattern the through channel (typical the photoresist would serve as the secondary mask), followed by the defining and etching of the primary mask containing the full nozzle feature. The secondary mask serves to selectively mask given areas of the primary mask for subsequent etching. The through hole feature of the secondary mask aligns over the already patterned primary mask through channel, except that the secondary mask contains a slightly larger through channel diameter. This serves to mask off the annulus, but allowing the silicon through channel to be exposed for etching.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying a porous polystyrene monolith to render its internal pore surfaces grafted with alkyl groups, preferably of at least four carbon atoms, which includes the step of alkylating the monolith with a uniform liquid solution containing a Friedel-Crafts catalyst and an alkyl halide. A surface-modified monolith produced thereby is an efficient separation medium in reversed-phase liquid chromatography for both small and large biomolecules.

Abstract: A droplet/electrospray device and a liquid chromatography-electrospray system are disclosed. The droplet/electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate droplets or an electrospray. A plurality of these electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized nozzles. The liquid chromatography-electrospray device comprises a separation substrate defining an introduction channel between an entrance orifice and a reservoir and a separation channel between the reservoir and an exit orifice, the separation channel being populated with separation posts perpendicular to the fluid flow.

Abstract: A microchip-based electrospray ionization device and column with affinity adsorbents is disclosed. The invention includes a microchip array and a capillary tube or alone or attached in combination. At least a portion of the device or column has immobilized affinity adsorbents. Methods for using the device are provided as well for affinity capture of biomolecules to meet the needs for the modem life sciences such as proteomics and drug discover.

Abstract: A microchip-based electrospray ionization device and column with affinity adsorbents is disclosed. The invention includes a microchip array and a capillary tube or alone or attached in combination. At least a portion of the device or column has immobilized affinity adsorbents. Methods for using the device are provided as well for affinity capture of biomolecules to meet the needs for the modern life sciences such as proteomics and drug discover.

Abstract: An electrospray device, a liquid chromatography device and an electrosprayliquid chromatography system are disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray.

Abstract: An electrospray device, a liquid chromatography device and an electrosprayliquid chromatography system are disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray.

Abstract: An electrospray device, a liquid chromatography device and an electrospray-liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray.

Abstract: A droplet/electrospray device and a liquid chromatography-electrospray system are disclosed. The droplet/electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate droplets or an electrospray. A plurality of these electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized nozzles. The liquid chromatography-electrospray device comprises a separation substrate defining an introduction channel between an entrance orifice and a reservoir and a separation channel between the reservoir and an exit orifice, the separation channel being populated with separation posts perpendicular to the fluid flow.

Abstract: An electrospray device, a liquid chromatography device and an electrospray-liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray.

Abstract: A droplet/electrospray device and a liquid chromatography-electrospray system are disclosed. The droplet/electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate droplets or an electrospray. A plurality of these electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized nozzles. The liquid chromatography-electrospray device comprises a separation substrate defining an introduction channel between an entrance orifice and a reservoir and a separation channel between the reservoir and an exit orifice, the separation channel being populated with separation posts perpendicular to the fluid flow.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle of microchip-based electrospray device is disclosed. The method includes using a primary mask to accurately define the nozzle feature including the annulus and the through hole of the electrospray device. A secondary masking step is conducted to pattern the through channel (typical the photoresist would serve as the secondary mask), followed by the defining and etching of the primary mask containing the full nozzle feature. The secondary mask serves to selectively mask given areas of the primary mask for subsequent etching. The through hole feature of the secondary mask aligns over the already patterned primary mask through channel, except that the secondary mask contains a slightly larger through channel diameter. This serves to mask off the annulus, but allowing the silicon through channel to be exposed for etching.