Disclosed herein is a device for characterizing a biological sample or an airborne sample. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the device comprises an electrospray source, a mass analyzer, a charge detector, and optionally, an ion guide. The present device is useful in analyzing the particle population in the biological or airborne sample based on the mass to charge (m/z) ratio and the charge (z) of each particle. Also disclosed herein are the methods of making a diagnosis of cancer by use of the present device, and methods of determining the mass distribution of particles in an airborne sample.

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising comparing mass spectral data so as to identify a precursor ion in the mass spectral data that has a predetermined mass difference to a product ion in the mass spectral data; and determining whether said precursor ion is a precursor ion of interest by comparing the ion signal profile for the precursor ion with the ion signal profile for the product ion. If the profiles match then the precursor ion is determined to be an ion of interest. When a precursor ion is determined to be an ion of interest, the precursor ion is isolated from other precursor ions, fragmented or reacted so as to produce product ions, and the product ions are analysed so as to obtain product ion data that can be used to identify the precursor ion.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

The disclosure relates to methods and device for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. A probe may be inserted into a first of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the first sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the first sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the first sample may be acquired. The probe may be inserted into a second of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the second sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the second sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the second sample may be acquired.

A microfluidic device performs a method of partitioning droplets from a fluid reservoir containing particles that provides a non-Poissonian distribution of dispensed droplets containing a desired number of particles. Using an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device, droplets are dispensed having a Poissonian distribution of dispensed droplets containing a desired number of particles, and the droplets are interrogated to determine whether each dispensed droplet has a desired number of particles. Droplets that contain the desired number of particles are moved by EWOD operation to a reaction area on the EWOD device, and droplets that do not contain the desired number of particles are rejected and moved by EWOD operation to a holding area on the EWOD device that is different and spaced apart from the reaction area. The result is that droplets in the reaction area have a non-Poissonian distribution of droplets containing the desired number of particles.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

A system for handling biological cells includes a main channel having an inlet end and an outlet end, and, at least over a first portion from the inlet end, including a cross section such that a cell circulating in the portion undergoes mechanical stresses. The system further includes first means for detecting the presence of a cell at the inlet end of the main channel and at least one access zone opening into the main channel between its inlet end and its outlet end in the first portion, in order to make it possible to exert an action on the cell. The system also includes means for displacing the cell in order to control the displacement of the cell between the inlet end and the outlet end.

A spectrometer device for analysis of aerosol particles, dusts, and other microparticles and/or nanoparticles includes an electrospray ionization source supplying a particle stream to an aerodynamic lens that focuses and collimates a beam of particles. An electrostatic trap accepts the beam of particles and traps a single trapped particle at a time in the electrostatic trap to oscillate with a measurable amplitude and frequency. A sensor senses the amplitude and frequency, and a processor determines a calculated mass to charge ratio from the amplitude and frequency of oscillation of the trapped particle in real time. A method creates a focused stream of micro or nanoparticles, traps a single particle at a time in an electrostatic trap. The amplitude and frequency of the oscillation of the trapped particle is sensed. The mass to charge ratio is determined from the amplitude and frequency of oscillation. Particles can be accelerated into a target.

Disclosed is a particle-measuring device, including: a measurement part including first and second electrodes and measuring a mass of particles with a change in signals transmitted and received between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first and second electrodes are patterned on a base made of a piezoelectric material and transmit/receive signals to/from each other; and an adsorption part provided in an adsorption region between the first and second electrodes and configured to adsorb fine particles according to a temperature change. According to such a configuration, the particle-measuring device does not interfere with the resonance rate of a piezoelectric material while having a high adsorption rate, thereby providing excellent particle measurement quality.

Particle detection device comprising a support, a platform for receiving particles, four beams suspending the platform from the support, such that the platform can be made to vibrate, means for making said platform vibrate at a resonance frequency, means for detecting the displacement of the platform in a direction of displacement. Each beam has a length I, a width L and a thickness e and the platform has a dimension in the direction of displacement of the platform and in which in a device with out of plane mode I?10?L and the dimension of each beam in the direction of displacement of the platform is at least 10 times smaller than the dimension of the platform in the direction of displacement.