Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for increasing reaction yield. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems for increasing a yield of a chemical reaction that include a pneumatic sprayer configured to generate a liquid spray discharge from a solvent. The solvent includes a plurality of molecules, a portion of which react with each other within the liquid spray discharge to form a reaction product. The system also includes a collector positioned to receive the liquid spray discharge including the unreacted molecules and the reaction product. The system also includes a recirculation loop connected from the collector to the pneumatic sprayer in order to allow the unreacted molecules and the reaction product to be recycled through the pneumatic sprayer, thereby allowing a plurality of the unreacted molecules to react with each other as the unreacted molecules cycle again through the system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to electrophoretic mass spectrometry probes and systems and methods of uses thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a mass spectrometry probe having a hollow body with a distal tip, an electrically conductive hollow conduit, and an electrode. The electrically conductive hollow conduit may be operably coupled to a reservoir and a power source, and the electrically conductive hollow conduit may be configured to transport a liquid sample into the hollow body and polarize the liquid sample as it flows through the electrically conductive hollow conduit and into in the hollow body. The electrode and the electrically conductive hollow conduit are disposed within the hollow body (e.g., at different heights within the hollow body).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ion generation using modified wetted porous materials. In certain aspects, the invention generally relates to systems and methods for ion generation using a wetted porous substrate that substantially prevents diffusion of sample into the substrate. In other aspects, the invention generally relate to ion generation using a wetted porous material and a drying agent. In other aspects, the invention generally relates to ion generation using a modified wetted porous substrate in which at least a portion of the porous substrate includes a material that modifies an interaction between a sample and the substrate.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to two-dimensional mass spectrometry using ion micropacket detection. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems including a mass spectrometer having an ion trap and one or more detectors. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU), and storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to: apply one or more scan functions to the ion trap that excite a precursor ion and eject a product ion from the ion trap; and determine a secular frequency of the product ion by detecting micropackets of the product ion as the micropackets are ejected from the ion trap.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for conducting reactions and screening for reaction products.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of coupling a carbon containing moiety to an amine containing moiety.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a sample dispenser including an internal standard and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass spectral analysis. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve analyzing a lipid containing sample using a mass spectrometry technique, in which the technique utilizes a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis. Due to the use of a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis, a subsequent staining technique can be performed on the tissue sample and an overlaid image can be produced of a mass spectral image and a staining image.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and devices for synchronization of ion generation with cycling of a discontinuous atmospheric interface. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes a mass spectrometry probe that generates sample ions, a discontinuous atmospheric interface, and a mass analyzer, in which the system is configured such that ion formation is synchronized with cycling of the discontinuous atmospheric interface.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to electrophoretic mass spectrometry probes and systems and methods of uses thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a mass spectrometry probe having a hollow body with a distal tip, an electrically conductive hollow conduit, and an electrode. The electrically conductive hollow conduit may be operably coupled to a reservoir and a power source, and the electrically conductive hollow conduit may be configured to transport a liquid sample into the hollow body and polarize the liquid sample as it flows through the electrically conductive hollow conduit and into in the hollow body. The electrode and the electrically conductive hollow conduit are disposed within the hollow body (e.g., at different heights within the hollow body).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample. The system additionally includes an ion separator configured to separate at or above atmospheric pressure the ions received from the ion generator without use of laminar flowing gas, and a detector that receives and detects the separated ions.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for increasing reaction yield. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems for increasing a yield of a chemical reaction that include a pneumatic sprayer configured to generate a liquid spray discharge from a solvent. The solvent includes a plurality of molecules, a portion of which react with each other within the liquid spray discharge to form a reaction product. The system also includes a collector positioned to receive the liquid spray discharge including the unreacted molecules and the reaction product. The system also includes a recirculation loop connected from the collector to the pneumatic sprayer in order to allow the unreacted molecules and the reaction product to be recycled through the pneumatic sprayer, thereby allowing a plurality of the unreacted molecules to react with each other as the unreacted molecules cycle again through the system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for sample analysis using swabs. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems that include a probe having a conductive proximal portion coupled to a porous material at a distal portion of the probe that is configured to retain a portion of a sample that has contacted the porous material, and a mass spectrometer having an inlet. The system is configured such that the porous material at a distal portion of the probe is aligned over the inlet of the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for mass spectrometry analysis of microorganisms in samples.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to two-dimensional mass spectrometry using ion micropacket detection. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems including a mass spectrometer having an ion trap and one or more detectors. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU), and storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to: apply one or more scan functions to the ion trap that excite a precursor ion and eject a product ion from the ion trap; and determine a secular frequency of the product ion by detecting micropackets of the product ion as the micropackets are ejected from the ion trap.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ion generation using modified wetted porous materials. In certain aspects, the invention generally relates to systems and methods for ion generation using a wetted porous substrate that substantially prevents diffusion of sample into the substrate. In other aspects, the invention generally relate to ion generation using a wetted porous material and a drying agent. In other aspects, the invention generally relates to ion generation using a modified wetted porous substrate in which at least a portion of the porous substrate includes a material that modifies an interaction between a sample and the substrate.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of coupling a carbon containing moiety to an amine containing moiety.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to high-throughput label-free enzymatic bioassays using desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS).