Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

Abstract: A charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) device comprising: an ion trap for receiving an ion flux and configured for selectively trapping and analysing one or more ions of interest from the ion flux, and at least one primary charge detector. positioned upstream of the ion trap in the path of the ion flux, to analyse the ion flux, wherein the device is configured such that the analysis by the at least one primary charge detector is used to selectively initiate an ion trapping event in the ion trap.

Abstract: An instrument for analysing ions is disclosed comprising: a first device (4) configured to onwardly transmit ions having a restricted range of physicochemical property values at any given time, and to change said range with time such that the first device (4) is capable of transmitting ions having different physicochemical property values at different times; and an ion mobility separator (6) arranged to receive ions transmitted by the first device (4); wherein the instrument is configured such that the time that any given ion enters the ion mobility separator (6) and begins to be separated from other ions is defined by its time of transmission by the first device.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a plurality of cycles of operation during a single experimental run, wherein each cycle comprises: mass selectively transmitting precursor ions of a single mass, or range of masses, through or out of a mass separator or mass filter at any given time, wherein the mass separator or mass filter is operated such that the single mass or range of masses transmitted therefrom is varied with time; and mass analysing ions.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a step 10 of analysing a reference compound in a first mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; a step 20 of analysing the reference compound in a second, different mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; and a step 30 of automatically adjusting an operational parameter, duty cycle (e.g. duty cycle of data acquisition), or acquired spectral data of at least one mass spectrometer such that, for a given consumption of reference compound by the spectrometer, the statistical precision of quantification and/or mass measurement by the mass spectrometer is substantially the same as that of another mass spectrometer (for the same given consumption of the analyte).

Abstract: Described is a method of determining whether repair or replacement of an electron gun of a radiotherapy device should be scheduled. The radiotherapy device comprises a linear accelerator and is configured to provide therapeutic radiation to a patient. The radiotherapy device comprises a vacuum tube comprising the electron gun, a waveguide configured to accelerate electrons emitted by the electron gun toward a target to produce said radiation. The radiotherapy device comprises also comprises a current sensor, the current sensor being configured to provide signals indicative of current supplied to the electron gun. The method comprises receiving a current value, processing the current value, and based on the processing of the current value, determining whether repair or replacement of the electron gun should be scheduled.

Abstract: A modular ecological system is disclosed, comprising an ecological structure with a base section featuring a body with a first end region, a second end region, and upper and lower curved surfaces extending between the ends. Side walls converge at an apex region, creating a defined thickness and supporting lateral rods extending outwardly. The system includes a wheel and axle assembly attachable to the rods and a truss assembly with elements extending from the wheel and axle assembly to the apex, providing structural reinforcement. Flotation devices are attachable through openings in the curved surfaces to facilitate buoyancy. The system may include symmetrically arranged flotation devices, connection points, looped cables, and a load distribution nub on the upper curved surface. A method for assembling the system involves positioning and securing the wheel and axle assembly, engaging axle receiving sections, and attaching flotation devices through defined openings for stability in various environments.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a step (10) of analysing a reference compound in a first mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; a step (20) of analysing the reference compound in a second, different mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; and a step (30) of automatically adjusting an operational parameter, duty cycle (e.g. duty cycle of data acquisition), or acquired spectral data of at least one mass spectrometer such that, for the same (given) consumption of reference compound by the spectrometer, the statistical precision of quantification (the number of detected ions) and/or of mass measurement (the mass resolution) by the mass spectrometer is substantially the same as that of the other mass spectrometer. A similar method of ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a first target of biological material; and mass and/or ion mobility analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said aerosol, smoke, or vapour, or ions derived therefrom so as to obtain first spectrometric data. The method may use an ambient ionisation method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and apparatus for performing charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). In particular, techniques are disclosed for monitoring a detector signal from a CDMS device to determine how many ions are present in the ion trap (10) of the CDMS device. For example, if no ions are present the measurement can then be terminated early. Similarly, if more than one ion is present, the measurement can be terminated early, or ions can be removed from the trap (10) until only a single ion remains. Techniques are also provided for increasing the probability of there being a single ion in the trap (10). A technique for attenuating an ion beam is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating an electrostatic ion trap, the electrostatic ion trap including a plurality of electrodes, the method including setting the voltage of the plurality of electrodes to a first voltage map, wherein the voltage map is configured such that: at a first ion kinetic energy per unit charge (KE) range, more than a first percentage of ions are stable, at a second ion KE range, less than a second percentage of ions are stable, and at a third ion KE range, more than the first percentage of ions are stable, wherein the first percentage is at least 4 times greater than the second percentage, and wherein the second ion KE range is between the first ion KE range and the third ion KE range.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a) providing temporally separated precursor ions; b) mass analyzing separated precursor ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods, wherein the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied during the different acquisition periods; c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with its respective value of the operational parameter; d) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining which of the spectral data for a precursor ion or product ions meets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of the operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parameter value; and e) mass analyzing again the precursor or product ions whilst the operational parameter is set to the target operational parameter value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and apparatus for performing charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). In particular, techniques are disclosed for monitoring a detector signal from a CDMS device to determine how many ions are present in the ion trap (10) of the CDMS device. For example, if no ions are present the measurement can then be terminated early. Similarly, if more than one ion is present, the measurement can be terminated early, or ions can be removed from the trap (10) until only a single ion remains. Techniques are also provided for increasing the probability of there being a single ion in the trap (10). A technique for attenuating an ion beam is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining whether repair or replacement of a multi-leaf collimator for a radiotherapy device should be scheduled. The multi-leaf collimator comprises a leaf bank comprising a plurality of leaves, a leaf bank support configured to support the leaf bank, a leaf bank guide, and a guide actuation means configured to extend the leaf bank along the leaf bank guide into the path of a radiation beam. The device further comprises current sensing means configured to produce a signal indicative of the current supplied to the guide actuation means. The method comprises receiving signals from the current sensing means; processing the signals; and based on the processing, determining whether repair or replacement of the multi-leaf collimator should be scheduled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: trapping ions in an ion trap (40); applying a first force on the ions within the ion trap in a first direction, said force having a magnitude that is dependent upon the value of a physicochemical property of the ions; applying a second force on these ions in the opposite direction so that the ions separate according to the physicochemical property value as a result of the first and second forces; and then pulsing or driving ions out of one or more regions of the ion trap.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a plurality of cycles of operation during a single experimental run, wherein each cycle comprises: mass selectively transmitting precursor ions of a single mass, or range of masses, through or out of a mass separator or mass filter at any given time, wherein the mass separator or mass filter is operated such that the single mass or range of masses transmitted therefrom is varied with time; and mass analysing ions.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing soil for accretion and retention of coastal water soil is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of artificial reef segments, where each segments comprises a homogenous curved frame structure, a plurality of openings extending through the homogenous curved frame structure, a plurality of frame segments, and a plurality of cutouts disposed along a terminating end of each artificial reef segment. In one embodiment, an artificial reef configuration is disclosed having a first reef segment arranged on top of a second reef segment and a third reef segment in such a way that the cutouts of the first reef segment receive at least one of the plurality of frame segments of the second reef segment and the third reef segment. Furthermore, a transport configuration includes a first reef segment stacked on top of a second reef segment.

Abstract: A method of self-calibrating a mass spectrometer or mass spectral data is disclosed. At least some first observed mass to charge ratios are matched with or against a comprehensive reference set of possible or predicted elemental compositions having known precise mass to charge ratios. One or more calibration parameters of a calibration routine are then adjusted so as to optimise the match between one or more of the first observed mass to charge ratios and the corresponding known precise mass to charge ratios of one or more possible or predicted elemental compositions contained within the reference set.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: trapping ions in an ion trap (40); applying a first force on the ions within the ion trap in a first direction, said force having a magnitude that is dependent upon the value of a physicochemical property of the ions; applying a second force on these ions in the opposite direction so that the ions separate according to the physicochemical property value as a result of the first and second forces; and then pulsing or driving ions out of one or more regions of the ion trap.