Abstract: The present invention relates to proton-conducting polymer membranes which comprise polyazoles containing phosphonic acid groups and are obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) mixing of one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic tetraamino compounds with one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof which contain at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, with at least part of the tetraamino compounds and/or the carboxylic acids comprising at least one phosphonic acid group, or mixing of one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, of which at least part comprises phosphonic acid groups, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution and/or dispersion, B) heating of the solution and/or dispersion obtainable according to step A) under inert gas at temperatures of up to 350° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, because of its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used in a variety of ways and is particularly useful as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) to produce membrane electrode units for PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: A Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer (1) is configured with a pulsing region (10) and electronic controls to cause the directing of ions to a surface (12) in the Time-Of-Flight pulsing region (10). The population of ions resulting from the collecting of said ions on or near said surface (12) is subsequently accelerated into the Time-Of-Flight tube (17) for mass to charge analysis. Ions produced away from said surface (12) can be directed to the surface (12) with high or low surface collisional energies. Higher energy ion collisions with the surface (12) can result in Surface Induced Dissociation fragmentation and the resulting ion fragment population can be mass analyzed. Mass analysis can be performed prior to directing the ions to the surface allowing MS/MS Time-Of-Flight mass analysis with SID.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Ion (API) source is configured for Electrospray (ES) and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) operating modes. The API source includes a multipurpose heater assembly mounted in the API source chamber. The multipurpose heater supplies heat to the API chamber endplate, bath gas and entrance end of the capillary orifice into vacuum as well as supplying electrical connections to the API source elements. An additional heater is configured at the exit end of the capillary orifice into vacuum. With this configuration, the bath gas, endplate and capillary entrance temperature can be set independent of gas flow rate. The capillary exit and entrance temperatures can be set independently as well. The multipurpose endplate heater combined with the capillary exit heater allows the optimization of API source performance over a wide range of operating conditions and analytical applications.

Abstract: A single or multiple layer curved Electrospray sample introduction means has been configured in an Atmospheric Pressure Ion (API) source interfaced to a mass analyzer. Sample solutions introduced through curved or bent sample introduction Electrospray (ES) probes configured in an API source are sprayed from the ES probe tip at an angle which differs from centerline of the ES probe body. Single or multiple curved ES probes can be configured in an Atmospheric Pressure Ion source interfaced to mass analyzers. Curved ES probes can also be configured in an API source which includes Atmospheric Pressure Chemical ionization.

Abstract: Multiple sample introduction means have been configured in Atmospheric Pressure Ion sources which are interfaced to mass analyzers. Different samples can be introduced through multiple Electrospray (ES) or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) probes individually or simultaneously and ionized. The gas phase ion mixture resulting from individual solutions sprayed from multiple ES or APCI probe inputs is mass analyzed. In this manner a calibration solution can be introduced through one ES or APCI probe while one or more sample solutions are spray from additional probes. Simultaneous spraying of calibration and sample solutions, results in an acquired mass spectrum containing peaks of ions with known molecular weights as well as sample related peaks. The calibration peaks can be used as an internal calibration standard during data analysis.

Abstract: Multiple sample introduction means have been configured in Atmospheric Pressure Ion sources which are interfaced to mass analyzers. Different samples can be introduced through multiple Electrospray (ES) or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) probes individually or simultaneously and ionized. The gas phase ion mixture resulting from individual solutions sprayed from multiple ES or APCI probe inputs is mass analyzed. In this manner a calibration solution can be introduced through one ES or APCI probe while one or more sample solutions are spray from additional probes. Simultaneous spraying of calibration and sample solutions, results in an acquired mass spectrum containing peaks of ions with known molecular weights as well as sample related peaks. The calibration peaks can be used as an internal calibration standard during data analysis.

Abstract: An Electrospray probe which includes a replaceable or disposable micron size diameter Electrospray tip used for low flow rate Electrospray has been developed. The Electrospray probe assembly combines the use of a low pressure gas and electric fields to initiate and sustain the Electrospray process at low liquid flow rates. The operational flow rates of this probe range from below 25 nL/min to over 1 &mgr;L/min, with total sample volume loaded ranging from less than 1 &mgr;L to over 20 &mgr;L. The Electrospray probe assembly includes axial and radial adjustment of the Electrospray tip position relative to the sampling orifice into vacuum and that tip position can be locked in place. The replaceable microtip can be safely removed from the Electrospray (ES) chamber without turning off high voltage within the ES chamber. Telescoping support ways have been included to prevent ES tip damage by guiding the Electrospray probe tip during removal from and insertion into the ES chamber.

Abstract: A miniature multipole rod assembly, an apparatus and a technique for constructing such an assembly used for ion guide and mass spectrometers.

Abstract: A single or multiple layer curved Electrospray sample introduction means has been configured in an Atmospheric Pressure Ion (API) source interfaced to a mass analyzer. Sample solutions introduced through curved or bent sample introduction Electrospray (ES) probes configured in an API source are sprayed from the ES probe tip at an angle which differs from centerline of the ES probe body. Single or multiple curved ES probes can be configured in an Atmospheric Pressure Ion source interfaced to mass analyzers. Curved ES probes can also be configured in an API source which includes Atmospheric Pressure Chemical ionization.

Abstract: Multiple sample introduction means have been configured in Atmospheric Pressure Ion sources which are interfaced to mass analyzers. Different samples can be introduced through multiple Electrospray (ES) or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) probes individually or simultaneously and ionized. The gas phase ion mixture resulting from individual solutions sprayed from multiple ES or APCI probe inputs is mass analyzed. In this manner a calibration solution can be introduced through one ES or APCI probe while one or more sample solutions are spray from additional probes. Simultaneous spraying of calibration and sample solutions, results in an acquired mass spectrum containing peaks of ions with known molecular weights as well as sample related peaks. The calibration peaks can be used as an internal calibration standard during data analysis.

Abstract: Multiple sample introduction means have been configured in Atmospheric Pressure Ion sources which are interfaced to mass analyzers. Different samples can be introduced through multiple Electrospray (ES) or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) probes individually or simultaneously and ionized. The gas phase ion mixture resulting from individual solutions sprayed from multiple ES or APCI probe inputs is mass analyzed. In this manner a calibration solution can be introduced through one ES or APCI probe while one or more sample solutions are spray from additional probes. Simultaneous spraying of calibration and sample solutions, results in an acquired mass spectrum containing peaks of ions with known molecular weights as well as sample related peaks. The calibration peaks can be used as an internal calibration standard during data analysis.

Abstract: An Electrospray probe which includes a replaceable or disposable micron size diameter Electrospray tip used for low flow rate Electrospray has been developed. The Electrospray probe assembly combines the use of a low pressure gas and electric fields to initiate and sustain the Electrospray process at low liquid flow rates. The operational flow rates of this probe range from below 25 nL/min to over 1 .mu.L/min, with total sample volume loaded ranging from less than 1 .mu.L to over 20 .mu.L. The Electrospray probe assembly includes axial and radial adjustment of the Electrospray tip position relative to the sampling orifice into vacuum and that tip position can be locked in place. The replaceable microtip can be safely removed from the Electrospray (ES) chamber without turning off high voltage within the ES chamber. Telescoping support ways have been included to prevent ES tip damage by guiding the Electrospray probe tip during removal from and insertion into the ES chamber.

Abstract: A miniature multipole rod assembly which can be operated as an ion guide or a mass analyzer is constructed by bonding individual rods directly to plates which are separated by ceramic insulators. The multipole rod assemblies are constructed by using a fixture which locates and orients all elements during the process or bonding the rods to the disks.

Abstract: This invention provides novel polymers which contain discrete photoconductive and electrooptic moieties. The moieties may exist as part of the main chain of the polymer or as pendant side chains. The polymers have utility as transparent photorefractive media in photorefractive devices.

Abstract: An assembly for connection to at least one medicant supply tube, includes (a) a septum assembly including a distal end cap having opposite first and second ends, an outer peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends and a bore extending therethrough from the first end to the second end; a septum cap including a puncture sealing section positioned over the first end and a securing section integrally formed with the puncture sealing section and positioned in fluid sealing contact with the peripheral wall adjacent the first end so as to secure the septum cap to the distal end cap; and a proximal connector connected with the distal end cap in covering relation to the septum cap, the proximal connector including a bore extending therethrough and a connection at one end thereof; and (b) an external adapter fitting having a septum piercing tube for piercing the puncture sealing section when the external adapter fitting is connected with the proximal connector, and a luer lock connection cooperating wi