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An Autosampler and Field Sample Carrier for Maximizing Throughput Using an Open-Air, Surface Sampling Ion Source for MS
Citation:
GRANGE, A. H. An Autosampler and Field Sample Carrier for Maximizing Throughput Using an Open-Air, Surface Sampling Ion Source for MS. AMERICAN LABORATORY. International Scientific Communications, Shelton, CT, 40(16):11-13, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
Land Preservation and Restoration - by providing state-of-the-science chemical methods (encompassing sampling, preparation, separation, detection, and interpretation) to allow rapid and accurate field and laboratory analyses of contaminated soils, sediments, biota, and groundwater to support Superfund and hazardous waste clean-up decisions.
Description:
A recently developed, commercially available, open-air, surface sampling ion source for mass spectrometers provides individual analyses in several seconds. To realize its full throughput potential, an autosampler and field sample carrier were designed and built. The autosampler provides analyses of 76 swabs in 7.5 min. The field sample carrier simplifies sample collection and provides the cotton swabs nearly ready for analysis upon receipt. These devices were easily fabricated from less than $350 worth of materials using a 10" table saw, 10" drill press, and small combination lathe and mill. In addition, ion correlation software based on exact masses and relative isotopic abundances was written to deconvolute composite mass spectra that occur in the absence of prior component separation.