Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the ability of a hyphenated instrument to analyze a sample benefiting from having the first instrument's analysis of the same sample. A fast switching mechanism can be used as the interface between an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) and a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the obtained IMS spectrum is converted into a timing diagram that controls the vacuum inlet's size dynamically during analysis of a neutral and/or charged chemical and/or biological species such that a smaller pumping system can be used.

Abstract: In order to save a space for an apparatus for inspecting a substance and reduce a cost thereof, a particle testing apparatus includes a plurality of collection ports for collecting substances to be inspected, centrifuges for concentrating particles collected in the collection ports, the centrifuges being connected to the respective collection ports in pairs, and a common analysis apparatus for acquiring the concentrated particles from the centrifuges and analyzing the particles, the analysis apparatus being connected to the centrifuges.

Abstract: The invention concerns the reduction of the risk of an incorrect assignment of samples to sample sites during the manual deposition of samples for ionization by laser desorption (for example MALDI or LDCI). The invention offers a method wherein a sample support with several sample sites is provided, at least one sample site is selected, and the selected sample site is highlighted, at least in contrast to neighboring not selected sample sites, in a way which the human eye can perceive.

Abstract: A system and method for using a high-performance photoionization subsystem are disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure employ narrow bandwidth laser radiation to selectively excite ionizing resonant states of gaseous atoms in electric fields. This subsystem and method may be incorporated in an ion source producing ions by photoionizing gaseous atoms; the resultant ions may be employed to efficiently produce an ion beam of high brightness.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system can include an ion source, a vacuum chamber; a mass analyzer within the vacuum chamber, a transfer tube between the ion source and the vacuum chamber, a transfer tube heater, and a vacuum pump. The mass spectrometer system can be configured to reduce the pump speed of the vacuum pump in response to receiving a transfer tube swap instruction; lower the temperature of the transfer tube to below a first threshold; operating the vacuum pump at the reduced pump speed while the transfer tube is replaced with a second transfer tube; heating the second transfer tube to a temperature above a pump down temperature; and increasing the pump speed of the vacuum pump after the temperature of the second transfer tube exceeds a second threshold.

Abstract: Discussed is a method of extracting high-concentration plasma from whole blood, the method including: collecting whole blood in a first syringe; connecting a centrifugation tube to the first syringe and centrifuging the whole blood; separating the centrifugation tube containing red blood cells collected therein; discharging buffy coat from the first syringe; connecting the first syringe and a second syringe to a pair of inlets of a membrane filter; applying pressure to the first syringe to introduce the plasma into the membrane filter, and introducing the plasma from the second syringe into the membrane filter; repeating said applying and introducing steps; and collecting a high-concentration plasma containing components that are larger than a predetermined particle diameter and remain in a cavity portion of a membrane of the membrane filter without passing through the membrane.

Abstract: Described herein is a sample preparation device including a sample delivery source, an inline means of transferring the sample from the sample source into a deformable channel within a pressure vessel, and out of the channel into downstream analysis components, a deformable channel disposed within the pressure vessel, the deformable channel having an inlet end and an outlet end fluidly connectable to high pressure valves and a means to measure the fluid pressure within the deformable channel, an external source of a controlled pressurized fluid fluidly connectable to the pressure vessel and a controller system that monitors and controls the sample fluid pressure by control of the external pressure vessel fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solution cathode glow discharge (SCGD) elemental analysis. A solution-catching collar, in the form of a weir, a wicking element, or combinations thereof between the outlet tip of the capillary tube and the base of a grounding electrode tip maintain a solution sample level proximate the plasma emission region.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry systems include a core featuring an ion source, an ion trap, and an ion detector connected along a gas path, a pressure regulation subsystem connected to the gas path and configured to regulate a gas pressure in the gas path, a sample pre-concentrator connected to the gas path, where the sample pre-concentrator includes an adsorbent material, and a controller connected to the sample pre-concentrator, where during operation of the system, the controller is configured to heat sample particles adsorbed on the adsorbent material to desorb the particles from the adsorbent material and introduce the desorbed particles into the gas path, and a pressure difference between a gas pressure in the sample pre-concentrator and a gas pressure in at least one of the ion source, the ion trap, and the ion detector when the desorbed particles are introduced into the gas path is 50 mTorr or less.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively filtering 1,2-diolein and 1,3-dioleine ions from an olive oil sample. An ion source is instructed to ionize a mixture of an olive oil sample and a pre-ionization modifier. The pre-ionization modifier includes silver (Ag). A differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) device is instructed to separate ions received from the ion source and affected by a post-ionization modifier based on ion mobility. The second post-ionization modifier is butanol, for example. The DMS device is instructed to selectively filter separated 1,2-diolein precursor ions by selecting a first compensation voltage (CoV) for the DMS device. The first CoV is specific to separate 1,2-diolein precursor ions from 1,3-diolein precursor ions. The DMS device is instructed to selectively filter separated 1,3-diolein precursor ions by selecting a second CoV for the DMS device. The second CoV is specific to separate 1,3-diolein precursor ions from 1,2-diolein precursor ions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device to desorb an analyte using heat to allow desorption of the analyte molecules, where the desorbed analyte molecules are ionized with ambient temperature ionizing species. In various embodiments of the invention a current is passed through a mesh upon which the analyte molecules are present. The current heats the mesh and results in desorption of the analyte molecules which then interact with gas phase metastable neutral molecules or atoms to form analyte ions characteristic of the analyte molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for analysis of samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The invention provides methods and devices in which individual ablation plumes are distinctively captured and transferred to the ICP, followed by analysis by mass cytometry.

Abstract: A dual source ionizer includes a first ionization source and a second ionization source. The first ionization source is configured to generate a first electric field. The first electric field has a first field strength that is insufficient to form NOx? ions. The second ionization source is configured to generate a second electric field. The second electric field has a second field strength that is sufficient to form ozone and the NOx? ions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source are provided herein: In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein can utilize the flow provided by an LC pump(s) to drive a calibration fluid to an ion source of a mass spectrometer system. In various aspects, methods and systems described herein can additionally or alternatively be placed upstream of an LC column for providing an elution gradient of a plurality of solvents, without requiring a plurality of pumps and/or separate mixing elements.

Abstract: This invention improves the sensitivity of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry device by reducing the number of neutral particles that are not ionized during ionization and the number of low-molecular ions from a solvent used in the liquid chromatography. Said liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry device is provided with ion sources, a mass spectrometry unit, a detector, and three electrodes laid out so as to be parallel to each other. The first electrode and the second electrode have openings that allow ions to pass therethrough. The trajectories of said ions are deflected between the second electrode and the third electrode, thereby directing ions generated by the ion sources towards the mass spectrometry unit.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided in a high sub-atmospheric pressure region of an ion source, between an ionization chamber and a vacuum region of a spectrometer, such as a mass spectrometer, an ion mobility spectrometer, or an ion mobility-mass spectrometer. The electrode assembly is spaced at a distance from an outlet of an ion transfer device. A voltage source imparts a potential difference between the ion transfer device and the electrode assembly to accelerate ions emitted from the outlet to a collision energy. The collision energy is effective to cause collisional heating of ions in the high sub-atmospheric pressure region without voltage breakdown. The collision energy may be set to cause unfolding of folded biomolecular ions and/or dissociation of ions.

Abstract: A sample plate in use with a MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometer. The sample plate is usable for the mass spectrometry of a polymeric material on the order of several hundreds of Da and a method of manufacturing the same sample plate. The sample plate including a target plate, an organic matrix formed on one surface of the target plate, and a Parylene thin film formed on the target plate on which the organic matrix is formed, the Parylene thin film entirely covering the organic matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-calibrating control of gas flow. The gas flow rate is initially set by controlling, to a high degree of precision, the amount of opening of a flow restriction, where the design of the apparatus containing the flow restriction lends itself to achieving high precision. The gas flow rate is then measured by a pressure rate-of-drop upstream of the flow restriction, and the amount of flow restriction opening is adjusted, if need be, to obtain exactly the desired flow.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to electrospray and more specifically to wick based electrospray of analytes. The disclosed invention provides a means for improved electrospray extraction of analytes using a capillarity based fluid delivery system. The disclosed invention employs a wire screen mesh sandwiching the substrate media, without impeding capillarity of a wetting solvent spray fluid applied to the substrate. A further benefit is that electrical contact can be made to the substrate. Yet another benefit is that the substrate and wire mesh can be further enclosed in a polymer or other insulating sleeve that is flat and very thin, the preferred form factor is very similar to that of a credit card.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a FAIMS device comprising two parallel electrodes (9a, 9b) in series with an ion mobility separator (12) forming part of a mass spectrometer. Ions are separated in the FAIMS device (9a, 9b) according to their rate of change of ion mobility with electric field strength. The ions which are onwardly transmitted from the FAIMS device (9a, 9b) are then passed to an ion separator device (12) comprising a plurality of electrodes (12) and an optional ion trapping region (33). Ions are radially confined with the ion separator by application of an AC or RF voltage to the electrodes (12) and ions are separated according to their ion mobility by applying an axial DC voltage gradient which may remain constant as a function of time or which may vary with time.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that comprises acquiring mass spectral data during a single experimental run or acquisition of a mass spectrometer and determining a first time T during the single experimental run or acquisition for calibrating the mass spectrometer. The step of determining the first time T further comprises determining a time when the mass spectral data being acquired during the single experimental run or acquisition is equal to or below a threshold. The mass spectrometer is then calibrated by introducing calibrant or lockmass ions at the first time T.

Abstract: There is provided a method of introducing ions into a mass spectrometer, comprising ionising a sample using a continuous ionisation source to form a plurality of ions, transporting said plurality of ions in a first, primary gas through a passageway and into an inlet of a mass spectrometer, introducing a second, auxiliary gas into said inlet, and controlling a flow rate of said second gas into said inlet so as to control a flow rate of said first gas through said passageway.

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed comprising a nebulizer arranged and adapted to emit a liquid spray, a first target arranged downstream of the nebulizer, wherein the liquid spray is arranged to impact upon the first target, and a sample target arranged downstream of the first target, wherein a sample to be analyzed is provided at the sample target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a sample to a mass spectrometer are provided. In one aspect, the systems and methods can provide efficient cooling of an ion source probe to prevent overheating and the resulting degradation in ion sampling. In some aspects, such cooling can result in improved consistency and/or efficiency of ion formation. Moreover, ion source cooling in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings can allow for the use of higher temperatures in the ionization chamber (thereby improving desolvation) and/or can enable the use of lower flow rate sample sources than with conventional techniques.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatuses that can comprise an electrospray emitter comprising a sample capillary extending from a sample inlet to a sample outlet and an element comprising a conduit coaxially disposed around the electrospray emitter thereby forming a chamber extending between the conduit and the sample capillary and terminating in a gas outlet. The element can further comprise, in some examples, a carrier gas inlet fluidly connected to the chamber, and a working gas inlet fluidly connected to the chamber, wherein the chamber is configured to provide a path for fluid flow from the carrier gas inlet and the working gas inlet to the gas outlet. Also disclosed herein are methods of use of the apparatuses. In some examples discussed herein are methods and apparatuses for contained-electrospray, for example for use in mass spectrometry and/or droplet reactions.

Abstract: Provided is an ion source achieving high sensitivity and high robustness while executing a plurality of types of ionization schemes. To this end, a hybrid ion source (1) includes: a chamber (24); a first ion source (2) to spray a sample solution (5) for ionization; a second ion source (3) to ionize droplets and/or a gas component sprayed from the first ion source (2); a first electrode (11) to introduce a first ion (7) generated by the first ion source (2), and a second ion generated by the second ion source (3); and an exhaust pump (27) that generates air flow (26) in a direction from a first space area (23) where the first ion (7) is generated to a second space area (19) in the second ion source (3) where the second ion is generated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for laser ablation sampling, electrophoretic extraction from the laser plume, electrophoretic transport to a container, and capture of macromolecules of interest. In certain embodiments, when macromolecules of interest are nucleic acid, the apparatus and methods further provides for nucleic acid amplification and detection in a rapid mobile platform for environmental and clinical identification of pathogens.

Abstract: In a conventional fine particle detection device that vaporizes fine particles attached to the object of examination by heating, processing capability decreases as the processing time elapses due to the influence of deposition of fine particles other than the object of examination, dirt/dust, a residue of the fine particles as the object of examination, or residual matter.

Abstract: A device for mass spectroscopy comprising a chamber configured to provide an atomization source, a boost device configured to provide radio frequency energy to the chamber, and a mass analyzer in fluid communication with the chamber and configured to separate species based on mass-to-charge ratios is disclosed. In certain examples, a boost device may be used with a flame or plasma to provide additional energy to a flame or plasma to enhance desolvation, atomization, and/or ionization.

Abstract: A method of automatically performing a routine to check the operational state of a mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the method is performed automatically as a start-up routine upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The method comprises automatically generating a vacuum within one or more vacuum chambers of a mass spectrometer and automatically generating first ions using an internal ion source, wherein the internal ion source is located within a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer or is located within a chamber downstream from an atmospheric pressure interface, and detecting at least some of the first ions or second ions derived from the first ions. The method further comprises automatically determining whether or not the mass spectrometer is in a correct operational state.

Abstract: Embodiments related to the use and production of porous carbon materials in ion emitters and other applications are described.

Abstract: A sheath flow device for an evaporation light scattering detector comprises an evaporation pipe fastener (110), an evaporation pipe heat insulating component (120), a sheath flow nozzle blocking plate (130), a sheath flow nozzle (140), a sheath flow sleeve (150), a sheath flow outlet piece (170) and a stainless steel spray needle (160). The evaporation pipe fastener, the evaporation pipe heat insulating component, the sheath flow nozzle blocking plate, the sheath flow nozzle, the sheath flow sleeve and the sheath flow outlet piece are concentrically connected orderly from front to back, and all provided with concentric inner holes. Said device is applicable to ELSD sheath flow devices ranging from nanoliter-scale to microliter-scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing droplets of liquid sample into an analysis device using a gas stream, the droplets being produced by the application of acoustic energy to a quantity of liquid sample. Acoustic energy may be applied to a quantity of liquid sample located on a solid surface of a sample support so as to eject a droplet of sample from the quantity of sample; the droplet of sample may be entrained in a gas stream; and the droplet of sample may be transported into the analysis device using the gas stream.

Abstract: There is provided a biosensor, which may measure the concentration of indoor bioaerosols through an optical sensing method of sensing ultraviolet light scattered by bioacrosols, and an air cleaner having the same. The biosensor includes a light irradiator and an ultraviolet light sensor detecting scattered ultraviolet light, from light irradiated by the light irradiator, reflected from bioaerosols. The biosensor may measure the concentration of indoor bioaerosols through the optical sensing method in real time, using a certain wavelength of ultraviolet light scattered by bioaerosols, and may allow the air cleaner to be operated under proper conditions based on a measured concentration of bioaerosols and a measured concentration of dust particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that combine an amplitude modulation SLM with a phase modulating SLM in the same optical illumination system. The combination of the amplitude modulation SLM and the phase modulation SLM allows the optical illumination to compensate for the limitations of amplitude modulation SLM by using phase modulating SLM and conversely to compensate for the limitations of phase modulation SLM by using amplitude modulating SLM.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating associated ions within a gaseous fluid stream into a first population of positively-charged hydrated hydrogen ions and a second population of gaseous hydrated anions. The device employs a housing and spinning wheel within a vacuum chamber to expose a flow of associated ions to a combination of microwaves and magnetic energy within the vacuum to cause bifurcation of the associated ions into a first population of positively-charged hydrated hydrogen ions and a second population of gaseous hydrated anions which may be collected in reservoirs. The collected two populations can be further channeled through a transformer to electrically induce a force for locomotion or communication.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables highly sensitive atmospheric-pressure real-time mass spectrometry of a volatile substance. The present invention provides a coupling device for a mass spectrometry apparatus that is an interface member to be connected to an atmospheric-pressure real-time mass spectrometry apparatus, the coupling device including (A) an excitation gas introducing port, a sample gas introducing port, and an ionized sample gas discharging port, and (B) a channel through which the excitation gas introducing port and the ionized sample gas discharging port are in communication, and (C) a space for mixing excitation gas and sample gas being formed in a region of a portion of the channel recited in (B), by the coupling device having a structure in which the sample gas introducing port and the channel recited in (B) are in communication.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to adapters for use in coupling a direct sample analysis device to an analytical instrument such as, for example, a mass spectrometer. In some examples, the adapter can include an internal coupler separated from an external coupler through an insulator.

Abstract: The mass spectrometer (1) provides an ionization chamber (11) therein with: a probe (15) having a sample to be measured flow path (155) for spraying a sample to be measured; and a standard sample flow path (255) for spraying a standard sample used for the calibration of the mass-to-charge ratio of the mass spectrum into the ionization chamber. The standard sample is intermittently introduced into the ionization chamber via a pulse valve (216). Thus, mixing of the sample to be measured and the standard sample can be prevented, while the timing according to which the standard sample is introduced can be appropriately controlled. It also becomes possible to acquire an accurate mass spectrum for each sample to be measured even in the case where a number of types of samples to be measured are introduced into the ionization chamber one after another over a short period of time.

Abstract: The degree of ion dissociation which occurs within a first intermediate vacuum chamber (212) maintained at a comparatively low degree of vacuum depends not only on the amount of energy of the ion but also on the size and other properties of the ion. Accordingly, a predetermined optimum level of DC bias voltage is applied to an ion guide (24) so as to create, within the first intermediate vacuum chamber (212), a DC electric field which barely induces the dissociation of an ion originating from a target compound in a sample while promoting the dissociation of an ion originating from a foreign substance which will form a noise signal in the observation of the target compound. The optimum DC bias voltage is previously determined by creating extracted ion chromatograms based on data collected under various DC bias voltages and evaluating the SN ratio using the chromatograms.

Abstract: A method of mass or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an ion source for generating analyte ions and reference ions; providing a mass analyzer or ion mobility separator (IMS); providing an ion trap between the ion source and the mass analyzer or IMS; guiding reference ions from the ion source into the ion trap and trapping the reference ions in the ion trap; guiding the analyte ions from the ion source into the mass analyzer or IMS, wherein the analyte ions bypass the ion trap; and releasing reference ions from the ion trap into the mass analyzer or IMS for analysis.

Abstract: A method of mass spectral analysis in an analytical electrostatic trap (14) is disclosed. The electrostatic trap (14) defines an electrostatic field volume and includes trap electrodes having static and non-ramped potentials. The method comprises injecting a continuous ion beam into the electrostatic field volume.

Abstract: After a sample such as a biomedical tissue section is attached to an electrically-conductive slide glass (S1), the film layer of a matrix substance is appropriately formed by vapor deposition so as to cover the sample (S2). The crystal of the matrix substance in the film layer is very fine and uniform. Subsequently, the slide glass on which the matrix film layer is formed is placed in a vaporized solvent atmosphere, and the solvent infiltrates into the matrix film layer (S3). When the solvent sufficiently infiltrated is vaporized, a substance to be measured in the sample takes in the matrix and re-crystallized. Furthermore, the matrix film layer is formed again on the surface by the vapor deposition (S4). The added matrix film layer absorbs excessive energy of a laser beam during MALDI, which suppresses the denaturation of the substance to be measured and the like, so that high detection sensitivity can be achieved while high spatial resolution is maintained.

Abstract: A device for mass spectrometry in continuous operation can be equipped with a focused electron beam source or laser radiation source. It can further include a vacuum chamber, a stage for placing the specimen, and an ion beam column with a plasma source for producing a primary ion beam and a secondary ion mass spectrometer for secondary ion analysis. The ion beam column is connected to an inert gas source and to a reactive gas source and is modified for simultaneous introduction of at least two gases from the inert gas source and reactive gas source. The secondary ion mass spectrometer is of an orthogonal Time-of-Flight type to ensure the function with the ion beam column in continuous operation.

Abstract: A planar radiographic imaging device has electromagnetic radiation sensitive elements disposed in a two-dimensional array. A housing encloses the two-dimensional array of radiation sensitive elements and includes a layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A device and method for testing a fiber-composite component, which is to be processed by means of bonding, for the presence of at least one substance out of a selection of possible contaminants. A surface heating device for regional heating of a part-zone of the fiber-composite component to be bonded is performed for desorption of contaminants. A sensor array with a plurality of sensors detects contaminants in the gas phase, and a control device ascertains and signals contaminations which are found. An extractor device can be employed to extract machining dust from the fiber-composite component to a desorption device.

Abstract: A chromatograph mass spectrometer including an optimum gas pressure search controller that performs an MRM measurement for a target compound while changing a collision-gas pressure, investigates an optimum collision-gas pressure giving a highest signal strength based on the measured result, and stores the same gas pressure for each compound in a compound-related information storage section. When a target compound is specified in a simultaneous multicomponent analysis, a control sequence determiner reads the optimum collision-gas pressure and retention time information corresponding to the specified compound from the storage section, prepares a control sequence which sets the gas pressure in a collision cell at the optimum gas pressure at the timing where each compound is eluted, and stores the sequence in a control sequence storage section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the identification of components in a sample based on the chemical nature of the component. In particular, although not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the identification of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components using a mass spectrometric technique. The present invention also relates to kits and products used in the identification of the components, as well as other subject matter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a sample to a mass spectrometer are provided. In one aspect, the system can include a sample source for generating a sample plume entrained in a primary gas stream in a first flow direction at a first flow rate, and a gas source for generating a secondary gas stream along a second flow direction different from the first flow direction and at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate. The sample source and the gas source can be positioned relative to one another such that the primary gas stream intersects the secondary gas stream so as to generate a resultant gas stream propagating along a trajectory different from said first and second direction to bring the sample to proximity of a sampling orifice of the mass spectrometer.