Abstract: A method for fabricating a solid foam article from a solid foam blank includes the steps of forming a pilot hole in the solid foam blank; positioning a chisel in the pilot hole, the chisel having a cutting portion and a shaft; and directing the cutting portion into the pilot hole in a reciprocating motion to remove solid foam material surrounding the pilot hole. A system for forming articles from solid foam blanks and a heat exchange device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion trap mass spectrometry system adapted for portability and related method includes an ion source for generating ions from a sample to be analyzed, and a resistive drift tube coupled to an output of the ion source for receiving the ions injected therein. The resistive drift tube decelerates the ions to provide cooled ions having a mean translational kinetic energy of less than 5 keV. A miniature ion trap or trap array, such having apertures <1 mm, is coupled to an output of the resistive drift tube for trapping the cooled ions. A spectrometer is coupled to the miniature ion trap for analyzing the cooled ions.