Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flow-through aerosol capture device that includes a chamber defining an airflow path, and at least one heat-stable aerogel filter, for example a heat-stable polymer aerogel filter, disposed in the airflow path for capturing aerosol particles when an aerosol-containing gas passes through the filter. The flow-through aerosol capture device may be a needle-trap device or a thermal desorption liner with a heat-stable aerogel filter in the lumen of the needle or the liner. The disclosure also provides heat-stable polymer aerogels and methods of making such aerogels.

Abstract: An ion mass spectrometer that has an ion channel shaped to modify the speed of a carrier gas as the carrier gas traverses the ion channel. In one case, the ion channel has a tapered shape, which continuously varies the gas flow rate. This arrangement is made using conductors located in the drift tube. This controlled variation in speed together with the control of the axial electric field in the ion channel, provide greater control on the separation of ions in the ion channel. A method of analyzing ions based on a variation of at least one of axial electric field and of the speed of the flowing gas in the ion channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for extracting a molecule of interest from a sample matrix. The device includes a support comprising a support surface; a sealing layer that at least partially coats the support surface; and an extractive phase coating applied to a portion of the sealing layer. The extractive phase coating is adapted to contain the molecule of interest. The sealing layer sufficiently coats the support surface to prevent the support surface from coming in contact with the sample matrix when the extractive phase coating is fully immersed in the sample matrix. Analytical screening devices and methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for identifying a target component of interest in a specimen by probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, including: (1) adsorbing the target component of interest onto an extraction phase for adsorbing the target component of interest from the specimen by immersing a probe into the specimen, wherein the probe is at least partially coated with the extraction phase; (2) removing the probe from the specimen and optionally quick rising it by dipping in or spraying water or acetone/water mixtures; (3) adhering solvent to the extraction phase; (4) desorbing the target component of interest into the solvent from the extraction phase; (5) electrospraying the target component of interest desorbed in the solvent adhered to the probe on the ionization source at atmospheric pressure by applying a voltage to the probe to spray aerosolized ionized droplets out of the probe; and (6) identifying the target component of interest present in the aerosolized ionized droplets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for sampling at least one analyte from a sampling fluid. The apparatus includes: a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling instrument. A connector is attached to the SPME sampling instrument and is coupleable to an aerial drone. The apparatus includes a protective cover that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the SPME sampling instrument. The SPME sampling instrument and the protective cover are movable in relation to each other between a protecting configuration and a sampling configuration. The SPME sampling instrument and the protective cover are (i) biased in the protecting configuration when the density of the fluid surrounding the SPME sampling instrument is less than the density of the sampling fluid; and (ii) biased in the sampling configuration when the density of the fluid surrounding the SPME sampling instrument is equal to or greater than the density of the sampling fluid.

Abstract: An ion mass spectrometer that has an ion channel shaped to modify the speed of a carrier gas as the carrier gas traverses the ion channel. In one case, the ion channel has segments of constant diameter in which the speed of the flowing gas is constant but different than the speed in other segments of the ion channel. This controlled variation in speed from segment to segment, together with the control of the axial electric field in the ion channel, provide greater control on the separation of ions in the ion channel. A method of analyzing ions based on a variation of at least one of axial electric field and of the speed of the flowing gas in the ion channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion mass spectrometer that has an ion channel shaped to modify the speed of a carrier gas as the carrier gas traverses the ion channel. In one case, the ion channel has segments of constant diameter in which the speed of the flowing gas is constant but different than the speed in other segments of the ion channel. This controlled variation in speed from segment to segment, together with the control of the axial electric field in the ion channel, provide greater control on the separation of ions in the ion channel. A method of analyzing ions based on a variation of at least one of axial electric field and of the speed of the flowing gas in the ion channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion mass spectrometer that has an ion channel shaped to modify the speed of a carrier gas as the carrier gas traverses the ion channel. In one case, the ion channel has segments of constant diameter in which the speed of the flowing gas is constant but different than the speed in other segments of the ion channel. This controlled variation in speed from segment to segment, together with the control of the axial electric field in the ion channel, provide greater control on the separation of ions in the ion channel. A method of analyzing ions based on a variation of at least one of axial electric field and of the speed of the flowing gas in the ion channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a solid phase microextraction sampling instrument for inserting into or through a solid or semisolid material to extract a component of interest from a sample, comprising a support structure at least partially coated with an extraction phase for extracting the component of interest, a protrusion that shields the coating during insertion, where the distances within a cross-sectional plane of the sampling instrument are greater than or equal to the corresponding distances in all of the cross-sectional planes located between the cross-sectional plane of interest and the insertion end of the sampling instrument. The present disclosure also discusses methods of making the instrument, desorption chambers, and methods for desorbing a component of interest from the instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an extraction coating for an SPME sampling instrument, where the extraction coating includes a sorptive material immobilized in a fluorocarbon polymer that is compatible with thermal-assisted desorption techniques, solvent-assisted desorption techniques, or both. The disclosure also provides SPME sampling instruments, methods of making an SPME sampling instrument, and methods of extracting an analyte from a sample matrix using the SPME coating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for desorbing and detecting an analyte sorbed on a solid phase microextraction (SPME) device. The system includes a desorption chamber sized to accept the SPME device while defining a void volume of less than about 50 ?L; a flow injector in fluid connection with the desorption chamber, the desorption chamber and the flow injector being fluidly connected by at least a flow-insulating fluid connector; a solvent source in fluid connection with the flow injector; and a fluid switch that: in a desorption position, allows the solvent to be sprayed from the flow injector while flow-insulating any desorption solution in the desorption chamber, and in an detecting position, turns off the solvent source while maintaining the fluid connection between the flow injector and the desorption chamber, transferring the desorption solution through the flow-insulating fluid connector to the flow injector as a substantially undiluted plug of liquid.

Abstract: A method for measuring or identifying a component of interest in a biological system is disclosed herein. The method includes positioning a fiber within the biological system, the fiber being at least partially coated with a polymeric extraction phase for adsorbing the component of interest from the biological system, the extraction phase being positioned within the biological system; adsorbing the component of interest onto the extraction phase; removing the fiber from the biological system; inserting the fiber into a nanospray needle; flowing solvent through the nanospray needle; desorbing the component of interest from the extraction phase into the solvent; and nanospraying the desorbed component of interest into an analytical instrument for measurement or identification.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device for generating ionized molecules for analysis in a mass spectrometer. The device includes: a mesh substrate coated with an extraction phase, the extraction phase comprising a polymer that absorbs a molecule of interest from a matrix, or a polymer and solid phase microextraction (SPME) particles having pores dimensioned to absorb a molecule of interest from a matrix, where the mesh substrate has a sufficiently open structure to allow fluid to flow through the mesh substrate; and a solid substrate connected to the mesh substrate to provide stability to the coated mesh substrate. Mass spectrometry systems that include such a device are also described. Methods of analyzing an analyte previously extracted from a matrix onto the device are also described.

Abstract: A device is described for generating ionized molecules for analysis in a mass spectrometer. The device includes: a solid substrate having one or more edges and a coated area that is coated with an extraction phase comprising an extraction polymer. The solid substrate may have at least two edges that meet at an angle from about 8° to about 180°. Mass spectrometry systems that include such a device are also described. Methods of analyzing a molecule previously extracted from a sample onto the device are also described.