Abstract: Microreactors, methods of fabricating, and using such microreactors comprises a substrate having an outer periphery and composing two monolithic sections, each of said monolithic sections comprising two opposed main surfaces and one or more edges extending between the main opposed surfaces. One of the main surfaces from each of the monolithic sections are joined together at a substantially planar junction. The microreactor further comprises at least one microcapillary flow passage defined by surfaces within said substrate and having first and second ends. One or more inlets connect the outer periphery of said substrate with the first end of said microcapillary flow passage. One or more outlets connect the outer periphery of said substrate with the second end of said microcapillary flow passage, which may narrowingly taper. The substrate can be made from high purity fused silica. A metallic reagent and/or catalyst can be incorporated in the micro capillary passage.

Abstract: An improved method and system of identifying individual aerosol particles in real time. Sample aerosol particles are collimated, tracked, and screened to determine which ones qualify for mass spectrometric analysis based on predetermined qualification or selection criteria. Screening techniques include one or more of determining particle size, shape, symmetry, and fluorescence. Only qualifying particles passing all screening criteria are subject to desorption/ionization and single particle mass spectrometry to produce corresponding test spectra, which is used to determine the identities of each of the qualifying aerosol particles by comparing the test spectra against predetermined spectra for known particle types. In this manner, activation cycling of a particle ablation laser of a single particle mass spectrometer is reduced.

Abstract: An interface system for supplying hydrogen isotopes to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) eliminates "memory effects" which are caused by residual water vapor being left in the interface system from a previous sample when a new sample is fed through the system. The system employs a reduction reactor for separating hydrogen isotopes from a water vapor containing sample, a water trap for removing residual water vapor from the separated hydrogen isotopes, and a Pd filter for passing only the hydrogen isotopes into a vacuum supply line for the IRMS. The system can also employ a combustion reactor for forming the water vapor if the initial sample is a hydrocarbon containing sample. Additionally, a second water trap can be provided in the vacuum supply line to the IRMS which removes any residual water vapor that may be desorbed from the Pd filter.