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Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrometry: Overview01:19

Mass Spectrometry: Overview

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass. One common type of ionization, known as electron ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave behind a...
Mass Spectrometers01:16

Mass Spectrometers

This lesson details the instrumentation of a mass spectrometer—a physical instrument to perform mass spectrometry on analyte molecules and record the characteristic mass spectra. This is achieved via three chief functions:
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry01:19

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation01:24

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

An unknown compound can be established by identifying the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum. The molecular ion peak is often weak or absent due to the predominance of fragmentation in high-energy electron beams. In such cases, a soft-energy electron beam can be used to scan the spectrum to enhance the intensity of the molecular ion peak. Additionally, chemical ionization, field ionization, and desorption ionization spectra are used to obtain a relatively intense molecular ion peak.To...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis01:21

Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis

Mass spectrometry is an important technique for the identification of pure compounds. However, it has some limitations for the analysis of complex mixtures, often due to excessive fragmentation making the spectrum too complicated to decipher. Mass spectrometry can be combined with suitable separation methods in sequence, forming hyphenated methods, which are useful in the analysis of complex mixtures.
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Tandem Mass Spectrometry01:21

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and reduce chemical noise during analyte detection. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.Secondary fragmentations occur in the interaction cell and can be induced by various factors. Fragmentation induced by collision with inert gases, such as N2, Ar, He, etc., is called...

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Related Experiment Video

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Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry With Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Synchrotron Radiation
09:53

Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry With Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Synchrotron Radiation

Published on: October 30, 2012

Mass spectrometry in the U.S. space program: past, present, and future.

P T Palmer1, T F Limero

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Francisco State University, California 94132-4163, USA. palmer@sfsu.edu

Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
|June 13, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Miniaturized mass spectrometers (MS) are crucial for space exploration, aiding planetary atmosphere studies and monitoring air quality on manned missions. This review highlights MS instrument development and applications in harsh space environments.

Keywords:
NASA Discipline Environmental HealthNon-NASA Center

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Applications of the Single-probe: Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Single Cell Analysis under Ambient Conditions
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Applications of the Single-probe: Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Single Cell Analysis under Ambient Conditions

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Applications of the Single-probe: Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Single Cell Analysis under Ambient Conditions
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Applications of the Single-probe: Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Single Cell Analysis under Ambient Conditions

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Area of Science:

  • Space Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Instrumentation Engineering

Background:

  • Mass spectrometry (MS) has advanced significantly, enabling miniaturization for diverse field applications.
  • Space exploration demands robust analytical instruments capable of operating in extreme environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development and application of mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation for the U.S. space program.
  • To focus on MS applications in planetary atmosphere analysis and spacecraft cabin air quality monitoring.
  • To highlight the unique requirements and challenges of space-based MS deployments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of MS instruments used in Pioneer Venus and Mars Viking Lander missions, focusing on sample introduction, mass analyzers, and vacuum systems.
  • Examination of approaches for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spacecraft cabin atmospheres.
  • Discussion of emerging technologies like Direct Sampling Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (DSITMS) and GC/Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC/IMS).

Main Results:

  • MS instruments on early space missions demonstrated impressive specifications for atmospheric analysis and environmental monitoring.
  • Past missions relied on ground-based Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for analyzing archived samples.
  • Emerging technologies show potential for in situ analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in future space missions.

Conclusions:

  • Miniaturized MS instrumentation is vital for supporting space program objectives, from planetary exploration to astronaut health.
  • The harsh conditions of space necessitate specialized MS designs for sample handling, analysis, and operation.
  • Future missions can benefit from advanced MS technologies for real-time, in situ monitoring of the space environment and crewed habitats.