Abstract: In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.

Abstract: A mill comprises a static frame and a movable frame interconnected by springs. The movable frame carries a milling ring and a motor. The motor is driving a roller for running along the inner side of the milling ring. Material is crushed between the ring and the roller. Mounting the motor to the movable frame simplifies the design of the mill and dampens the oscillating movements of the movable frame.

Abstract: The milling device comprises a milling roller running in a milling ring, wherein the diameter of the milling roller is at least equal to the inner radius of the milling ring. The milling roller is driven by a tangential force. By this arrangement it is guaranteed that the center of mass of the roller runs about the mill's central axis at a constant frequency that does not depend on the wear of the roller or the ring. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the roller is not tilted during operation such that no torque is generated.

Abstract: The crusher contains rotating hammers running on a circular path. The material to be crushed reaches this annular crushing zone via a distributing plate located above the hammers. In the crushing zone the material is hit by the hammers and broken. Fragments are thereby ejected tangentially into an impact zone, where they are received by impact plates. This causes further fragmentation. In this way, the material distributed over the whole circumference is subjected twice to a hard blow. This leads to an increased throughput at small crusher size and optimum crushing efficiency.

Abstract: An improved milling process, wherein the material to be crushed is processed within a circular milling path under the action of at least one roller rolling along said path. The material is fed evenly distributed around the circumference of the milling path and enters it with a predetermined initial speed transversely to the extension of the path such that each piece to be crushed is subjected at least once to the action of one of the rollers. Under the action of an air current which is guided across the milling path pulverized material below a given grain size is immediately removed from the milling path, thereby avoiding the build-up of a thick and energy consuming layer on the milling path such that the milling forces are limited to the breaking forces for crushing the pieces fed into the milling path.