Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included at least in the free electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included in the anode, so as to slow formation of a zinc oxide passivation layer on a zinc electrode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided.

Abstract: A microwave microstrip resonator apparatus including a housing; a resonator within the housing; an output conductor within the housing and spaced apart from the resonator so as to define a capacitive gap therebetween; a reaction vessel configured to reside with the capacitive gap; and a power supply coupled to the resonator whereby contents within the reaction vessel are heated when energy is supplied to the resonator by the power supply. A mass spectrometer may also be coupled to an outlet end of the reaction vessel such that the contents within the reaction vessel are, simultaneously, delivered to the mass spectrometer for analysis.

Abstract: A microwave microstrip resonator apparatus including a housing; a resonator within the housing; an output conductor within the housing and spaced apart from the resonator so as to define a capacitive gap therebetween; a reaction vessel configured to reside with the capacitive gap; and a power supply coupled to the resonator whereby contents within the reaction vessel are heated when energy is supplied to the resonator by the power supply. A mass spectrometer may also be coupled to an outlet end of the reaction vessel such that the contents within the reaction vessel are, simultaneously, delivered to the mass spectrometer for analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.

Abstract: A distance-of-flight mass spectrometer (DOFMS) includes an ion source, a field-free region, an extraction region in which ions are accelerated, and a spatially-selective detector for spatially selectively detecting ions extracted by the extraction region. A method for operating a distance-of-flight mass spectrometer DOFMS comprises controlling a detection time in such a way as to permit ions with progressively greater mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios to enter the extraction region of the DOFMS at positions which will permit the ions with progressively greater m/z ratios to enter the detector of the DOFMS, generating a component mass spectrum at each selected value of detection time, and then assembling a composite mass spectrum by shifting the distance-of-flight axis of each component mass spectrum by a distance corresponding to the change in detection time.

Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.

Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.

Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.

Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a mass spectrometer include providing at least two different ion sources, and coupling ion streams simultaneously from the at least two different ion sources to the spectrometer. Another method of operating a spectrometer includes a first coupling an ion stream from a first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from a second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from the second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, and next coupling an ion stream from the first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer.