The present invention provides a method for mass spectrometry of a negatively charged organic synthetic compound, and a matrix that can be used in said method. A method for mass spectrometry of a negatively charged organic synthetic compound, the method comprising using, as a liquid matrix, an ionic liquid comprising an amine ion and an acidic group-containing organic substance ion. For example, the amine is 3-aminoquinoline (3-AQ), and the acidic group-containing organic substance is p-coumaric acid (p-CA). The negatively charged organic synthetic compound to be analyzed is, for example, an organic synthetic polymer compound or a complex compound.

A secondary ultrasonic nebulization device is disclosed comprising: a liquid sample delivery capillary; a sample receiving surface arranged for receiving a liquid sample from the capillary; and an ultrasonic transducer configured for oscillating the surface so as to nebulize the liquid sample received thereon, wherein the device is configured such that the oscillations of the surface by the ultrasonic transducer cause charged droplets and/or gas phase ions to be generated from the sample.

Systems and methods for inline and automatic dilution of chemicals of interest for speciation and subsequent analysis by ICP spectrometry are described. A system embodiment includes a first valve to receive a sample into a holding loop; a plurality of syringe pumps coupled to the first valve to deliver an inline diluted sample from the first valve; and a second valve coupled to the first valve to receive the inline diluted sample from the first valve into a sample holding loop coupled to the second valve, the second valve configured to couple to at least one of an eluent source or a carrier fluid source to receive at least one of an eluent fluid or a carrier fluid to transfer the inline diluted sample from the sample holding loop to a speciation column to separate one or more species from the inline diluted sample.

A darkroom type security inspection apparatus and a method of performing an inspection using the darkroom type security inspection apparatus. An apparatus includes a housing constituting a closed darkroom, and assemblies disposed inside the housing. The assemblies disposed inside the housing include: a sample collecting unit configured to collect a sample, a conveyor unit, and a X-ray detection unit to detect a position of the objected to be inspected, wherein the X-ray detection unit is configured to determine the position of the objected to be inspected within the sampling assembly so that the object to be inspected together with the conveyor unit is conveyed to an expected position; and a sample processing assembly, wherein the assemblies disposed inside the housing are communicated by fittings or connectors.

The present disclosure relates to the determination of analytes in a sample using chromatography. The present disclosure provides methods of separating an analyte from a sample. A mobile phase is flowed through a chromatography column. The mobile phase includes about 0.005% (v/v) to about 0.20% (v/v) difluoroacetic acid and less than about 100 ppb of any individual metal impurity. A sample including the analyte is injected into the mobile phase. The analyte is separated from the sample.

Systems and methods for inline and automatic dilution of chemicals of interest for speciation and subsequent analysis by ICP spectrometry are described. A system embodiment includes a first valve to receive a sample into a holding loop; a plurality of syringe pumps coupled to the first valve to deliver an inline diluted sample from the first valve; and a second valve coupled to the first valve to receive the inline diluted sample from the first valve into a sample holding loop coupled to the second valve, the second valve configured to couple to at least one of an eluent source or a carrier fluid source to receive at least one of an eluent fluid or a carrier fluid to transfer the inline diluted sample from the sample holding loop to a speciation column to separate one or more species from the inline diluted sample.

A method for determining geologic age of hydrocarbon samples, such as oils, using novel age biomarkers may comprise: measuring a concentration or related value of triaromatic dionsteranes (TAD) in a hydrocarbon sample, migrated oil sample, from a North Atlantic conjugate margin (NAM); calculating a TAD index for the hydrocarbon sample based on the concentration or the related value of the TAD; and predicting an age of the hydrocarbon sample based on a correlation between a hydrocarbon age and the TAD index.

A detector system includes a droplet generator system, wherein the droplet generator system includes a droplet generator unit. The droplet generator unit is configured to create droplets from a liquid supplied to the droplet generator unit with a droplet generator liquid flow. The droplet generator unit is configured to create the droplets with a defined droplet generation frequency.

A nebulizer for a charged aerosol detection (CAD) system is disclosed. The nebulizer is provided with a spray emitter for generating a spray of droplets within a central region of a spray chamber. The central region is separated from an upper region by a horizontally projecting rib, which defines a passageway between the central and upper regions. The major direction of droplet travel within the upper region is substantially reversed with respect to the major direction of droplet travel within the central region. Larger droplets are unable to negotiate the turn from the central to upper regions and impinge on a rear surface of the spray chamber. Removal of larger droplets has the advantageous effect of enabling the detector to sense a smaller range of particle sizes, which establishes a relatively steady electrical current at the detector.

A secondary ultrasonic nebulisation device is disclosed comprising: a liquid sample delivery capillary; a sample receiving surface arranged for receiving a liquid sample from the capillary; and an ultrasonic transducer configured for oscillating the surface so as to nebulise the liquid sample received thereon, wherein the device is configured such that the oscillations of the surface by the ultrasonic transducer cause charged droplets and/or gas phase ions to be generated from the sample.