Mass spectrometry (MS) is the art of measuring atoms and molecules to determine their molecular weight. MS involves the ionization of chemical samples to generate charged molecules or molecular fragments and measuring their mass-to-charge ratio. Standard in all mass spectrometers are four fundamental parts—a sample inlet, an ionization source, a mass analyzer and an ion detector. Some instruments combine the sample inlet and the ionization source, while others combine the mass analyzer and the detector. However, all sample molecules undergo the same processes regardless of instrument configuration. Sample molecules are introduced into the instrument through a sample inlet and are converted to ions in the ionization source before being electrostatically propelled into the mass analyzer where they are separated according to their m/z. The detector converts the ion energy into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to a computer for analysis.
Reasons our readers are planning to purchase a mass spectrometer:
| planning to purchase a mass spectrometer: Increase capacity / volume | 19% |
| Integrating MS from traditional HPLC to UHPLC | 6% |
| Looking for a complete system that includes data handling and storage | 4% |
| Looking for more mass accuracy and resolution | 10% |
| Looking to reduce the amount of sample prep time | 7% |
| Looking to reduce the usage of solvent and waste | 5% |
| Require a smaller footprint for the instrument in the lab | 5% |
| Require higher quality data | 9% |
| Require shorter run times / increased lab throughput | 6% |
| Setting up a new lab | 5% |
| Trying to reduce operating costs | 5% |
| Upgrading older system | 16% |
| We require more precise and accurate flow rates | 2% |
| Other | 2% |
| % |
The types of mass spectrometers our readers have recently purchased or are planning on buying for their laboratories:
| Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry | 3% |
| GC-MS | 28% |
| Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) | 14% |
| Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) | 7% |
| Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) | 3% |
| Time-of-Flight (TOF) | 13% |
| Triple Quad | 19% |
| Don’t Know | 9% |
| Other | 5% |
The following are the primary purposes our surveyed readers are using their mass spectrometers for in their labs:
| Forensic analysis | 9% |
| Environmental analysis | 21% |
| Clinical analysis | 11% |
| Food safety and testing analysis | 8% |
| Biomarker & omics research | 5% |
| Polymer science | 4% |
| Drug discovery research | 7% |
| Geological analysis | 4% |
| Molecular biology | 3% |
| Biochemistry | 9% |
| Other | 16% |
The majority of our readers use their mass spectrometers for the analysis of mixtures of low to mid-level molecular weight compounds.
| Comprehensive analysis of complex mixtures of high molecular weight compounds | 8% |
| Controlled substance analysis | 7% |
| Elemental analysis | 8% |
| Environmental analysis | 16% |
| Large molecules, like proteins and peptides | 7% |
| Metals analysis | 7% |
| Mixtures of low to mid-level molecular weight compounds | 18% |
| Pure, low-molecular weight organic compounds | 10% |
| Small molecules | 16% |
| Other | 1% |
The top 10 features that impact our readers’ decisions to buy a mass spectrometer:
| Important | Not Important | Don't Know | |
| High sensitivity/reliability | 93% | 5% | 2% |
| Higher quality of data | 91% | 5% | 4% |
| Ease of maintenance | 90% | 9% | 1% |
| Data output, storage and retrieval | 78% | 18% | 4% |
| Warranties | 77% | 15% | 4% |
| High mass accuracy | 75% | 22% | 3% |
| Training | 74% | 20% | 6% |
| High mass resolution | 73% | 26% | 1% |
| Onsite service/support | 72% | 25% | 3% |
| Fast scanning speed | 71% | 26% | 3% |
For more information on mass spectrometers, visit www.labmanager.com/mass_spec
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