Abstract: The invention generally relates to ion generation using modified wetted porous materials. In certain aspects, the invention generally relates to systems and methods for ion generation using a wetted porous substrate that substantially prevents diffusion of sample into the substrate. In other aspects, the invention generally relate to ion generation using a wetted porous material and a drying agent. In other aspects, the invention generally relates to ion generation using a modified wetted porous substrate in which at least a portion of the porous substrate includes a material that modifies an interaction between a sample and the substrate.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for separating ions at about or above atmospheric pressure. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems that include an ionization source that generates ions and an ion trap. The ion trap is maintained at about or above atmospheric pressure and includes a plurality of electrodes and at least one inlet configured to receive a gas flow and at least one outlet. The system is configured such that a combination of a gas flow and one or more electric fields produced by the electrodes separates the ions based on mass-to-charge ratio and sends the separated ions through the at least one outlet of the ion trap.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample. The system additionally includes an ion separator configured to separate at or above atmospheric pressure the ions received from the ion generator without use of laminar flowing gas, and a detector that receives and detects the separated ions.

Abstract: A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine in situ, wherein the component includes a deposit, includes directing a flow of gas, which may be an oxygen-containing gas, to the deposit of the component; and heating the component including the deposit while the component is installed in the gas turbine engine and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove the deposit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a failsafe valve actuator (10) comprising a drive mechanism (12), a drive shaft (42) having a clutch (50) arranged adjacent to a threaded portion (44) of the drive shaft (42), and a clutch actuator (52) coupled to the clutch (50) and arranged to move the clutch (50) between an engaged position in which the clutch (50) engages with the threaded portion (44) of the drive shaft (42) and a disengaged position in which the clutch (50) is disengaged from the drive shaft (42). In response to energisation of the clutch actuator (52) the clutch (50) is moved to the engaged position such that threaded engagement between the drive shaft (42) and clutch (50) transfers rotational movement of the drive shaft (42) by the drive mechanism (12) into axial movement of the drive shaft (42) and holds the drive shaft (42) against a drive shaft bias member when the drive mechanism is inactive.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to zero volt mass spectrometry probes and systems. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system including a mass spectrometry probe including a porous material, and a mass spectrometer (bench-top or miniature mass spectrometer). The system operates without an application of voltage to the probe. In certain embodiments, the probe is oriented such that a distal end faces an inlet of the mass spectrometer. In other embodiments, the distal end of the probe is 5 mm or less from an inlet of the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a load transfer plate and load transfer plate pocket that co-act to transfer vertical or substantially vertical loads from one concrete slab to the adjacent slab in an enhanced manner by optimizing the positions of the load transfer plate relative to the adjacent concrete slabs for load transfers between the adjacent concrete slabs.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of analyzing crude oil. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve obtaining a crude oil sample, and subjecting the crude oil sample to mass spectrometry analysis. In certain embodiments, the method is performed without any sample pre-purification steps.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass spectrometry probes and systems for ionizing a sample. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a mass spectrometry probe including a substrate in which a portion of the substrate is coated with a material, a portion of which protrudes from the substrate.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for conducting neutral loss scans in a single ion trap. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems that include a mass spectrometer having a single ion trap, and a central processing unit (CPU), and storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to apply a scan function that excites a precursor ion, rejects the precursor ion after its excitation, and ejects a product ion in the single ion trap.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for rare event detection using mass tags. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting a target analyte in a sample that involve conducting an assay that specifically associates a mass tag with a target analyte in a sample, generating ions of the mass tag, and analyzing the generated ions of the mass tag, thereby detecting the target analyte from the sample.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, the method includes: detecting, via the one or more input devices, a request to display information for password protected accounts; and, in response to detecting the request, concurrently displaying, on the display device: a representation of a first password protected account that is associated with a credential having one or more security issues, wherein the representation of the first password protected account is visually associated with an alert indicator indicating the one or more security issues associated with the credential of the first password protected account; and a representation of a second password protected account that is associated with a credential having one or more security issues, wherein the representation of the second password protected account is visually associated with an alert indicator indicating the one or more security issues associated with the credential of the second password protected account.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a continuous manufacturing process for lomustine that has a short residence time and 63 percent yield. Major advantages of this process are that the total production cost for lomustine is lower, the product is higher quality, and the manufacturing operation is safer for production personnel.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ion traps that operate by applying an inverse Mathieu q scan. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems that include a mass spectrometer having an ion trap and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU includes storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to apply an inverse Mathieu q scan to the ion trap.