Abstract: An automatic system (100) for conserving samples at a controlled temperature comprising at least one controlled-temperature thermo-insulated conservation chamber (1) with temperature control means (3) containing a set of disks (9) for storing samples (19) and a Cartesian robotic system (4) equipped with pick-up device (18), contained in an upper chamber (2) separated from the chamber (1) by means of an insulating shelf (6), where said Cartesian system (4) through the controlled-access opening (7) moves the samples (19) between the I/O drawer (20) and the above-mentioned set of disks (9). The combined and synchronized movement of the robotic device (4) and of every single disk of the set enables each storage location to be reached. The management of the devices of the automatic system (100) is controlled by an N/C system driven by dedicated management SW.

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: 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: An automatic system (100) for conserving samples at a controlled temperature comprising at least one controlled-temperature thermo-insulated conservation chamber (1) with temperature control means (3) containing a set of disks (9) for storing samples (19) and a Cartesian robotic system (4) equipped with pick-up device (18), contained in an upper chamber (2) separated from the chamber (1) by means of an insulating shelf (6), where said Cartesian system (4) through the controlled-access opening (7) moves the samples (19) between the I/O drawer (20) and the above-mentioned set of disks (9). The combined and synchronized movement of the robotic device (4) and of every single disk of the set enables each storage location to be reached. The management of the devices of the automatic system (100) is controlled by an N/C system driven by dedicated management SW.