Methods of assessing, such as characterizing or determining, condensate-associated characteristics of a compound, such as a test compound, and applications thereof are provided. For example, methods of determining a partition characteristic of a test compound in a target condensate, methods of determining a relative partition characteristic of a test compound in a target condensate, and methods of determining a condensate preference profile of a test compound are provided. Additionally, methods of designing and/or identifying and/or making a compound, or portion thereof, with a desired relative condensate partition characteristic are provided.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

In a general aspect, microorganisms [e.g., bacteria, etc.) are identified and detected. In some examples, a liquid solvent is supplied through a first channel of a sampling probe to an internal reservoir of the sampling probe; a fixed volume of the liquid solvent in the internal reservoir is held in direct contact with a sample surface for a period of time to form a liquid analyte; gas is supplied to the internal reservoir through a second channel of the sampling probe; the liquid analyte is extracted from the internal reservoir through a third channel of the sampling probe; the liquid analyte is transferred to a mass spectrometer; the mass spectrometer processes the liquid analyte to produce mass spectrometry data; and the mass spectrometry data are analyzed to detect and identify a microorganism [e.g., acteria, fungi, or another type of microorganism) present at the sample surface.

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.

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.

A circuit and method for providing high-voltage radio-frequency (RF) energy to an instrument at multiple frequencies includes a plurality of inputs each configured to receive an RF voltage signal oscillating at a corresponding frequency, and a step-up circuit for generating magnified RF voltage signals based on the received RF voltage signals. The step-up circuit includes an LC network operable to isolate the RF voltage signals at the plurality inputs from one another while preserving a voltage magnification from each input to a common output at each of the corresponding frequencies.

A circuit and method for providing high-voltage radio-frequency (RF) energy to an instrument at multiple frequencies includes a plurality of inputs each configured to receive an RF voltage signal oscillating at a corresponding frequency, and a step-up circuit for generating magnified RF voltage signals based on the received RF voltage signals. The step-up circuit includes an LC network operable to isolate the RF voltage signals at the plurality inputs from one another while preserving a voltage magnification from each input to a common output at each of the corresponding frequencies.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.