A gas analyzer and a method for performing mass spectrometry analysis includes a membrane configured to receive an input flow of carrier gas. The membrane defines a variable thickness region between first and second positions along an input face of the membrane and separates the analyte sample into an output flow of analyte molecules. A mass spectrometer is disposed downstream of the membrane and includes an input orifice for receiving the output flow. The mass spectrometer is configured to perform a response profile analysis of the analyte molecules in the sample analyte.

A method for analyzing a sample collected from a surface, the method comprising placing at least a portion of a substrate having a pressure sensitive adhesive layer containing the sample in a holder, adding a spray solvent to the sample-containing pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and analyzing the sample contained in the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the spray solvent using paper spray mass spectrometry.

A portable ion mobility spectrometry apparatus (1) for detecting an aerosol and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (3); a portable power source (5) carried by the apparatus for providing power to the apparatus (1); an inlet (7) for collecting a flow of air to be tested by the spectrometer (3); a heater (4) configured to heat the air to be tested to vapourise an aerosol carried by the air and a controller (2) configured to control the spectrometer (3) to obtain samples from the heated air, wherein the controller is configured to increase a heat output from the heater (4) for a selected time period before obtaining samples from the heated air.

A mass spectrometer system (10) is provided in which the voltage controller (12) can have separate first and second high-voltage control circuits (34, 40) which are physically disconnected from and at different ground planes to one another. Communication between the first and second high-voltage control circuits (34, 40) is enabled via an interface circuit (30) and one or more wireless, preferably radio-frequency, communicators (38, 44, 46, 48).

A start-up routine for a mass spectrometer is performed automatically upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer comprises a plurality of functional modules connected thereto, each module operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer in use. The start-up routine comprises detecting which functional modules are present in the set of a plurality of functional modules connected to the mass spectrometer, and performing one or more steps of the start-up routine based upon the results of the detection. The mass spectrometer automatically determines whether configuration information is stored locally in respect of each one of the detected functional modules, and, for the or each one of the detected functional modules for which such information is found to be stored locally, automatically uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer, and, for any detected functional module(s) for which such information is not found to be stored locally, automatically obtains configuration information for the detected functional module(s) from a remote server, and uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer.

An instrument having a vacuum chamber, wherein a wall of the vacuum chamber includes a layer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset having a thickness in a range of 1-10 mm, a first and a second layer of ceramic material having a thickness in a range of 40-60 μm, and a layer of aluminum having a thickness in a range of 0.5-10 mm. The first layer of ceramic material is positioned between the layer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset and the layer of aluminum. The layer of aluminum is positioned between the first layer of ceramic material and the second layer of ceramic material. The second layer of ceramic material is positioned most to a side of an interior surface of the wall of the vacuum chamber.

A portable mass spectrometer data assessment system including a portable mass spectrometer that is configured to acquire measurement results of a sample, a first computing device that is connected to the mass spectrometer for retrieving the measurement results from the mass spectrometer in real time, and a central server unit that is connected to a first group of nodes through the internet. The first computing device defines a first node in the first group of nodes when the device is connected to the internet. The first node serves to convert the measurement results into decentralized data. The first node is configured to publish the decentralized data in the first group of nodes. The first group of nodes is configured to publish the decentralized data in the central server unit instantaneously.

A portable plasma based diagnostic apparatus comprising a plasma source for producing energy projectiles at atmospheric pressure, a mass analyzer, a sampling interface for receiving direct sample to be analyzed, the sampling interface being positioned between the plasma source and the mass analyzer, a database containing a library of biomarkers with their associated mass spectra, a processor operatively connected to the plasma source, the mass analyzer and the database. The processor is so configured so as to obtain from the mass analyzer a sample mass spectrum of parent and fragment ions resulting form the collision between the energetic projectiles and the sample, compare the sample mass spectrum with mass spectra in the reference library in order to identify at least one indicator and provide a report based on the at least one identified indicator.

The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

The invention relates to gas analyzers, especially mobile ion mobility spectrometers or mass spectrometers which are operated at atmospheric pressure to detect dangerous substances. The invention uses a fuel cell to generate the electric operating power of the gas analyzer, and the waste heat from the fuel cell is used to regulate the temperature of modules of the gas analyzer.