Abstract: A new ionization source named Surface Activated Chemical Ionization (SACI) has been discovered and used to improve the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. According to this invention the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer is heated and contains a physical new surface to improve the ionization process. The analyte neutral molecules that are present in gas phase are ionized on this surface. The surface can be made of various materials and may also chemically modified so to bind different molecules. This new ionization source is able to generate ions with high molecular weight and low charge, an essential new key feature of the invention so to improve sensitivity and reduce noise. The new device can be especially used for the analysis of proteins, peptides and other macromolecules. The new invention overcomes some of the well known and critical limitations of the Electrospray (ESI) and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric techniques.

Abstract: Analyzers determine the concentration of a test substance by measuring the change of pH in a sample liquid after reaction of the test substance with a reactant. The analyzers have a tube connected between first and second microcapillary pH electrodes. In a first embodiment, the tube functions as a reaction chamber by having a reactant immobilized on a wall of the tubing or confined within the tubing. In a second embodiment, the reactant and test substance are mixed upstream relative to the first and second microcapillary pH electrodes, with the tubing serving as a delay circuit for a kinetic measurement. Output signals of the microcapillary flow-through electrodes are used to determine a change in pH, the change in pH being indicative of the concentration of the test substance.