analysis of heavy metals and halogenated compounds in reclaimed water using novel electrospray ionization combined with plasma ionization linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

Water scarcity is a global concern that needs addressing through alternative sources. One of the approaches is the use of reclaimed water for irrigation. However, the presence of halogenated compounds and heavy metals in reclaimed water poses significant food safety threats.

Wide-energy programmable microwave plasma-ionization for high-coverage mass spectrometry analysis.

Although numerous ambient ionization mass spectroscopy technologies have been developed over the past 20 years to address diverse analytical circumstances, a single-ion source technique that can handle all analyte types is still lacking. Here, a wide-energy programmable microwave plasma-ionization mass spectrometry (WPMPI-MS) system is presented, through which MS analysis can achieve high coverage of substances with various characteristics by digitally regulating the microwave energy. In addition, ionization energy can be rapidly scanned using programmable waveforms, enabling the simultaneous detection of biomolecules, heavy metals, non-polar molecules, etc.

Microstructured Gel Polymer Electrolyte and an Interdigital Electrode-Based Iontronic Barometric Pressure Sensor with High Resolution over a Broad Range.

We present a novel iontronic barometric pressure sensor based on a gel polymer electrolyte and interdigital electrodes with a much simpler structure than that of existing devices. By introducing high-density microstructures on the gel polymer electrolyte and one side electrode arrangement configuration, the developed sensor offers high performances with an ultrahigh resolution of 10 Pa, an ultrawide barometric pressure-response range from -92 to 7 kPa, a fast response time of ∼15 ms, and excellent long-term stability. The single pressure sensor is able to detect positive and negative barometric pressures without needing any additional means and can operate as a barometric altimeter with a resolution of about one-floor height.

Rapid analysis of pharmaceutical and personal care products by soft microwave-based plasma ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (SMPI-LTQ) in natural water.

In this study, a soft microwave plasma torch (SMPT) combined with a mass spectrometer (MS) was used for the first time as an analytical method to detect and analyze various pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in aquatic environments without the need for sample pretreatment. For this purpose, ambient SMPT was used to generate plasma for ionizing the analyte molecules. Accordingly, nine PPCPs were identified by the SMPT-MS, and their identification was verified by collision-induced dissociation (CID).

LC-MS/MS Based Volatile Organic Compound Biomarkers Analysis for Early Detection of Lung Cancer.

(1) Background: lung cancer is the world's deadliest cancer, but early diagnosis helps to improve the cure rate and thus reduce the mortality rate. Annual low-dose computed tomography (LD-CT) screening is an efficient lung cancer-screening program for a high-risk population. However, LD-CT has often been characterized by a higher degree of false-positive results.

Catalyst-Free Oxidation Reactions in a Microwave Plasma Torch-Based Ion/Molecular Reactor: An Approach for Predicting the Atmospheric Oxidation of Pollutants.

The atmospheric oxidation of chemicals has produced many new unpredicted pollutants. A microwave plasma torch-based ion/molecular reactor (MPTIR) interfacing an online mass spectrometer has been developed for creating and monitoring rapid oxidation reactions. Oxygen in the air is activated by the plasma into highly reactive oxygen radicals, thereby achieving oxidation of thioethers, alcohols, and various environmental pollutants on a millisecond scale without the addition of external oxidants or catalysts (6 orders of magnitude faster than bulk).