Systems and methods for use in introducing samples to an analytical instrument. The systems and methods are adaptable to process either a liquid sample or a gaseous sample, including samples containing particle contaminants, for subsequent analysis using an analytical instrument.

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.

It is provided a device and method for extracting gaseous and liquid products from a reaction fluid, in particular from an electrochemical reaction systems.

The invention relates to a device (10) for extracting volatile species from a liquid (20) connected to an inlet of an analysis instrument, such as a mass spectrometer (MS). The device has a chamber (4), a membrane (5) forming a barrier for the liquid at zero differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the chamber, and allowing passage of the volatile species at zero differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the chamber. The device has an inlet capillary channel (3) to feed in a carrier gas and prevent back-diffusion from the chamber, and an outlet capillary channel (6) which provides a significant pressure reduction, e.g. from atmospheric pressure in the chamber (4) to near-vacuum suitable for an MS. The invention combines the best of two worlds, i.e. the fast time-response of a DEMS system and the high sensitivity of a MIMS system, since a differential pumping stage is not needed.

An ion transfer system includes an ion source coupled to an ion inlet; an ion transfer tube assembly including a concentric ion transfer tube with a porous material that is permeable to a gas, the concentric ion transfer tube coupled to the ion inlet and the ion source, where a first gas that includes an ion stream flows through the concentric ion transfer tube; and a concentric gas tube, the concentric ion transfer tube disposed within the concentric gas tube, where a second gas flows between the concentric ion transfer tube and the concentric gas tube; an ion detection device coupled to a capillary tube that is coupled to the concentric ion transfer tube, where the capillary tube transports the ion stream to the ion detection device; and a pump coupled to at least one of the concentric ion transfer tube or the concentric gas tube.

Methods and systems for chemical analysis. For instance, a device for chemical analysis of a sample includes a housing, an inlet, a pump, multiple membranes and at least one detector. The housing contains an interior chamber of the device. The inlet on the housing introduces the sample into the interior chamber. The pump is connected to the housing to form a partial vacuum in the interior chamber. The multiple membranes have different response times to different constituents of the sample. The multiple membranes include at least a first membrane and a second membrane. The multiple membranes have different response times to different constituents of the sample. The detector is for detecting the different constituents of the sample after interaction with the multiple membranes. In addition, a method for chemical analysis of a sample. A first step includes introducing a sample to multiple membranes having different response times to different constituents of the sample. A second step includes separating the different constituents of the sample due to the different response times of the multiple membranes. A third step includes detecting the different constituents of the gas after separating with the multiple membranes.

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 system for analyzing an analyte is described herein. The system includes a chamber having an inlet and a semi-permeable membrane arranged to seal the inlet. The semi-permeable membrane includes a cross-linked mixture of a first compound and a second compound. The system can also include a radiation source arranged in the vacuum chamber, the radiation source spaced apart from the semi-permeable membrane and adapted to irradiate the semi-permeable membrane with electromagnetic radiation at a frequency at least partially absorbed by the semi-permeable membrane.

The invention relates to a device (10) for extracting volatile species from a liquid (20) connected to an inlet of an analysis instrument, such as a mass spectrometer (MS). The device has a chamber (4), a membrane (5) forming a barrier for the liquid at zero differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the chamber, and allowing passage of the volatile species at zero differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the chamber. The device has an inlet capillary channel (3) to feed in a carrier gas and prevent back-diffusion from the chamber, and an outlet capillary channel (6) which provides a significant pressure reduction, e.g. from atmospheric pressure in the chamber (4) to near-vacuum suitable for an MS. The invention combines the best of two worlds, i.e. the fast time-response of a DEMS system and the high sensitivity of a MIMS system, since a differential pumping stage is not needed.

An underwater gas measuring device for gases dissolved in water. The device can be used at great water depths, in particular in the deep-sea water column or on the sea floor. The underwater gas measuring device is better suited to perform a very large number of measurements than the pre-known measuring devices. The underwater gas measuring device preferably has at least one pressure tank downstream of the gas outlet with a gas outlet into the environment, the gas outlet being opened as soon as the internal pressure of the pressure tank exceeds the ambient pressure.