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.

On field ionization under ambient conditions is described and applied on both ionization and desorption of various chemicals and biochemical present on the surface of materials in solid, liquid or gas states. The Atmospheric Pressure Megavolt Electrostatic Field Ionization Desorption (APME-FID) method generates ions directly from the surface of samples connected to a high electrical voltage at megavolt conditions. Megavolt electrostatic potential is generated and gradually accumulated directly on the sample surface by a Van de Graaff generator without causing damage to the sample. Therefore, when coupled with mass spectrometric system, the APME-FID-MS method enables direct detection of analytes on the surface of samples in different sizes and diverse types.

Described herein are monitoring systems and methods, including for airborne molecular contamination (AMC), that combine a sampler, such as an impinger or sorbent tube with a real time analyzer, such as an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) or optical particle counter. The system may allow for selective sampling in which the sampler is only exposed to the target fluid during periods in which the real time analyzer detects analytes, such as molecular contamination or particles, meeting particular criteria such the composition and/or concentration of analytes. The invention also includes impinger systems having a sampler reservoir comprising an anion leaching resistant material characterized by low anion leach rates in the presence of deionized water.

Disclosed herein are apparatuses comprising a panoptic ion sources capable of ionizing organic compounds. Also disclosed are methods for analyzing complex organic compounds using the disclosed herein apparatuses. The methods and systems are suitable for high throughput screening of samples, including biofluids. The methods and systems are suitable for the rapid evaluation of chemical reactions, permitting the discovery of novel organic reaction pathways.

The invention generally relates to systems including nanoelectrospray ionization emitters in a movable array format in which the emitters can be loaded, singly or simultaneously, through their narrow ends using a novel dip and go method based on capillary action, taking up sample from an array. The sample solutions in each emitter can be electrophoretically cleaned, singly or simultaneously, by creating an inductive electric field that moves interfering ions away from the narrow end of the capillary. Subsequent to cleaning, the emitters are supplied with an inductive electric field that causes electrospray into a mass spectrometer allowing mass analysis of the contents of the emitter.

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.

A method of ionising a sample is disclosed comprising nebulising a sample which includes first biomolecules such as bovine insulin comprising one or more disulphide (S—S) bonds. A stream of droplet or charged droplets comprising one or more disulphide (S—S) bonds is directed so as to impact upon a target (106) or electrode so as to cause the breaking of a portion of the disulphide bonds. Alternatively, charged droplets may pass through an electric field region determined by an electrode (106) arranged downstream of a nebuliser or electrospray probe and an ion inlet (104) of a mass spectrometer so as to cause the breaking of a portion of the disulphide bonds.

An apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is placed in parallel with the first electrode to provide constant gap distance. The gap between the first electrode and the second electrode is at atmospheric pressure. Ions are introduced into the center of the gap and travel through the apparatus in a direction parallel to the first electrode and the second electrode. The apparatus is configured as a high-field symmetric-waveform apparatus for filtering high mobility ions or for fragmenting ions. The apparatus is also configured for three modes of operation: as a conventional DMS; as a filter high mobility ions; and as fragmentation device. A symmetric electric field is produced in the gap with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 10 Td to filter high mobility ions and with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 100 Td to fragment ions.

A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.

An apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is placed in parallel with the first electrode to provide constant gap distance. The gap between the first electrode and the second electrode is at atmospheric pressure. Ions are introduced into the center of the gap and travel through the apparatus in a direction parallel to the first electrode and the second electrode. The apparatus is configured as a high-field symmetric-waveform apparatus for filtering high mobility ions or for fragmenting ions. The apparatus is also configured for three modes of operation: as a conventional DMS; as a filter high mobility ions; and as fragmentation device. A symmetric electric field is produced in the gap with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 10 Td to filter high mobility ions and with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 100 Td to fragment ions.