Abstract: A method of tandem mass spectrometry for analysing precursor ions across a mass to charge (m/z) range of interest is provided. The method comprises analysing some of the precursor ions across the m/z range of interest in the MS1 domain using a first mass analyser of a tandem mass spectrometer operated at a first sensitivity. The method also comprises analysing some of the precursor ions across the m/z range of interest in the MS1 domain using a second mass analyser of the tandem mass spectrometer operated at a second sensitivity, wherein the second sensitivity is higher than the first sensitivity. The analysis in the MS1 domain performed by the second mass analyser is performed concurrently with the analysis performed in the MS1 domain by the first mass analyser. The method also comprises combining data from the MS1 analyses performed by the first and second mass analysers to identify and/or quantify precursor ions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are scientific instrument support systems, as well as related methods, computing devices, and computer-readable media. For example, in some embodiments, a chromatography instrument support apparatus may include: first logic to receive, from an imaging device, image data regarding chromatography instrumentation; second logic to determine a state of the chromatography instrumentation by processing the imaging device through a machine-learning computational model; and third logic to display the state of the chromatography instrumentation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical connection unit for a refrigeration system comprising: a container defining an interior for containing electrical circuitry, the container having an external port configured to couple with an external connector; a closure moveable relative to the container between a closed configuration in which access to the interior is prevented, and an open configuration in which access to the interior is permitted. The closure has a locking portion defining a connector opening for receiving the connector, configured so that movement of the closure to the open configuration is prevented by interlocking engagement of the connector and the closure. There is also disclosed an associated method of coupling or decoupling a connector and an electrical connection unit.

Abstract: A method for compositional analysis, in particular laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), includes providing a sample having a surface, moving an ablation point to a plurality of positions on the surface along an arc path defined by a plurality of arcs, wherein the plurality of arcs extend from an edge of the area to another edge of the area, wherein the arc path follows adjacent arcs of the plurality of arcs, pulsing an energy source to provide an electromagnetic energy beam to ablate material at the ablation point, collecting an emission spectrum in response to pulsing the energy source, and analyzing the emission spectrum to determine a composition at the surface.

Abstract: A method for controlling the flow of gas through a spectrometer, comprising: flowing a gas through a volume of the spectrometer, the volume being a volume through which light from a sample passes along a first path to reach a first detector and the gas being transparent to the light in a spectral region analysed by the spectrometer; transmitting light from a light source along a second path through the gas to a second detector; detecting an intensity of the light from the light source at the second detector at one or more wavelengths of the light; comparing the detected intensity of the light to a respective setpoint corresponding to a desired transmittance of the gas in the volume of the spectrometer and generating at least one error signal based on the comparison; and adjusting a flow rate of the gas through the volume of the spectrometer based on the error signal, in particular to minimise the difference between the detected intensity and setpoint.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing charge detection mass spectrometry for measurement of the mass of a single ion of interest are disclosed. The ion of interest is caused to undergo harmonic oscillatory movement in the trapping field of an electrostatic trap, such that an image current detector generates a time-varying signal representative of the ion's oscillatory movement. This time-varying signal (transient) is processed (e.g., via a Fourier transform) to derive the ion's frequency and consequently determine the ion's mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Ion charge is determined by construction of a Selective Temporal Overview of Resonant Ion (STORI) plot, which tracks the temporal evolution of signals attributable to the ion of interest, and where the slope of the STORI plot is related to the charge. The STORI plot may also be employed to identify ion decay events during transient acquisition and/or the presence of multiple ions of the same mass or non-resolvable ions.

Abstract: A lid for use with a beverage container is described. The lid includes a lid body to fit into an opening of the beverage container. The lid includes a stopper that threadably engages with the lid body. A fluid passage is formed between the lid body and the stopper. The rotation of the stopper relative to the lid body provides an indication that the stopper and the lid body are in the open configuration and/or the removable configuration. The indication may include an audible indication, a tactile indication, or an increase in resistance.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and displaying energy use and energy cost of a transport vehicle climate control system is provided. The method includes a controller monitoring and measuring energy parameters of the transport vehicle climate control system. The method also includes calculating energy utilization of the transport vehicle climate control system based on the energy parameters. Also, the method includes calculating energy costs of the transport vehicle climate control system based on the calculated energy utilization. Further, the method includes displaying the calculated energy utilization and the calculated energy costs of the transport climate control system on a user interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a mass spectrometer vacuum interface, the vacuum interface comprising an evacuated expansion chamber downstream of a plasma ion source wherein the expansion chamber is pumped by an interface vacuum pump to provide an interface pressure in the chamber; the method comprising using a controller to automatically, or according to user input, control the throughput of the interface vacuum pump to control the interface pressure dependent on one or more operating modes of the spectrometer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a microscope system is described that comprises a sample stage configured to position a sample; and a spectrometer comprising an interferometer configure to provide a light beam to the sample stage and one or more detectors configured to detect light spectra in response to the light beam, wherein the spectrometer sends a notification to the sample stage after a scan comprising an acceptable measure of quality has been acquired from the detected light spectra at a first location, and the sample stage is further configured to count the notifications and initiate movement of the sample stage to a second location when a count value reaches a pre-determined number.

Abstract: A mass selective ion trapping device includes a linear ion trap and a RF control circuitry. The ion trap includes a plurality of trap electrodes configured for generating a quadrupolar trapping field in a trap interior and for mass selective ejection of ions from the trap interior. The RF control circuitry is configured to apply a balanced AC voltage to the trap electrodes during a first period of time such that an AC voltage applied to a first pair of trap electrodes is of the same magnitude and of opposite sign to an AC voltage applied to a second pair of trap electrodes; apply unbalanced RF voltage to the second pair of trap electrodes during a second period of time; ramp the balanced AC voltage down and the unbalanced RF voltage up during a transition period; and eject ions from the linear ion trap after the second period of time.

Abstract: Apparatuses for trapping ions comprise an array of electrodes extending along a surface and one or more further electrodes that are distinct from the array of electrodes. A trapping region for receiving the ions is defined by the array of electrodes and the one or more further electrodes. A control circuit is configured to apply a set of oscillatory voltages to the array of electrodes to repel the ions, wherein each electrode in the array has a different phase to each adjacent electrode. A trapping voltage is applied to at least one of the one or more further electrodes to force the ions towards the array of electrodes, the set of oscillatory voltages and the trapping voltage thereby trapping the ions within the trapping region, wherein the trapping voltage is a time-varying direct current, DC, voltage that increases in magnitude over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the latching closed of doors on appliances. In particular, the present invention provides an advantageous apparatus for locking the lid of a centrifuge. Apparatus for locking an appliance door in a closed position, the apparatus comprises: a locking member for attachment to a door, the locking member having an engagement section; a locking bolt for engaging the engagement section in the locking member; a linear actuator for moving the locking bolt along an axis, wherein the linear actuator is self-locking.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to utilizing independently stored validation keys to enable auditing of instrument measurement data maintained in a blockchain. A computing platform may receive, from a first block generator, a first data block comprising first measurement data captured by a first instrument and associated with a sample. Subsequently, the computing platform may receive a first validation key for the first data block calculated from contents of the first data block. Then, the computing platform may store the first data block and the first validation key for the first data block in a blockchain associated with the data management computing platform. Next, the computing platform may send the first validation key for the first data block to a data escrow database system, which may cause the data escrow database system to store the first validation key in a validation keys database.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for sorting ions including a group of multipole electrodes configured to form an ion trap, and an ion guide adjacent to, and operably coupled to the group of multipole electrodes. Using a radio frequency (RF) or Direct Current (CD) power supply device the system can apply an RF voltage to the group of multipole electrodes thereby creating a pseudo-potential barrier. A DC gradient voltage may then be applied creating an axial field in opposition to the pseudo-potential barrier. As the DC voltage is raised and/or the RF voltage is lowered, one or more ions will be eluted through the barrier.

Abstract: A connector for use in vacuum system is configured to fluidly connect a first opening formed in a first vacuum chamber to a second opening formed in a second vacuum chamber, the first opening of the first vacuum chamber being provided within the second vacuum chamber. The connector comprises a tube and a biasing O-ring. The tube has an outer wall to define a fluid flow path between first and second ends of the tube. Towards the first end, a sealing portion of the outer wall of the tube is provided. Towards the second end, an O-ring retaining point is provided along the tube spaced apart from the second end of the tube. The biasing O-ring is provided around and tensioned by the outer wall of the tube. The biasing O-ring is moveable along the axial direction between the O-ring retaining point and a sealing position where it seals the connector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for optical emission spectroscopy. In some examples a substrate can be formed from conductive layers separated by a dielectric layer, the substrate having at least one recess therein, and the recess having a aperture therethrough. A chamber then encloses the area over the recess, the chamber including chamber walls, a gas inlet and a gas outlet to allow a gas to fill the chamber. An arc is then created across the substrate using the conductive layers. The arc may form a plasma using the gas inside the chamber. The plasma then ablates a surface of a specimen generating photons that can then be analyzed by a spectrometer.

Abstract: An analyte and a reference substance are delivered to measurement apparatus. An analyte supplies an analyte sample comprising the analyte. A reference supply supplies a reference sample comprising the reference substance. An autosampler, having a storage loop into which a fluid can be loaded, is connected to the analyte supply and connected to the reference supply. The autosampler is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the analyte sample is loaded into the storage loop, whilst the reference sample passes through the autosampler bypassing the storage loop and being directed towards the measurement apparatus. In the second configuration, the reference sample is directed through the storage loop of the autosampler to displace the analyte sample loaded in the storage loop and thereby inject the analyte sample towards the measurement apparatus.