Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
Published on: January 9, 2014
A mechanical nanomembrane detector for time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Jonghoo Park1, Hua Qin, Mark Scalf
1Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States.
Abstract:
We describe here a new principle for ion detection in time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry in which an impinging ion packet excites mechanical vibrations in a silicon nitride (Si(3)N(4)) nanomembrane. The nanomembrane oscillations are detected by means of time-varying field emission of electrons from the mechanically oscillating nanomembrane. Ion detection is demonstrated in the MALDI-TOF analysis of proteins varying in mass from 5729 (insulin) to 150,000 (Immunoglobulin G) daltons. The detector response agrees well with the predictions of a thermomechanical model in which the impinging ion packet causes a nonuniform temperature distribution in the nanomembrane, exciting both fundamental and higher order oscillations.
Related Concept Videos
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Mass Analyzers: Common Types
Mass Spectrometers
Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Types of Detectors
