Search

The widespread distribution and variety of fentanyl-related opioids has prompted many forensic researchers to begin exploring new techniques to carefully process and identify the many components of these seized exhibits. While these analyses typically consist of chromatographic separation, this can be a tedious and time-consuming process. To improve upon the accurate detection and structural elucidation of the components of these complex samples, a direct-infusion technique was utilized with ESI–MS on both a triple quadrupole and Orbitrap mass spectrometer to both structurally identify and propose reaction mechanisms for minor, unknown components. Results from these direct-infusion experiments suggest amine oxide formation and O-acetylation within crude reaction mixtures of both fentanyl and acetylfentanyl producing ions at m/z 395 and 353, respectively. Other previously detected components, including both byproducts and degradation products, of these samples have also been identified by their exact masses and fragmentation. Complementary fragmentation and exact mass data from these experiments can be used to accurately profile new, unknown components and help exclude potential isobaric interferences.

There has been a significant demand for the development and improvement of technology used for the detection and identification of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs). Some of the current detection technology being used by the U.S. government includes multipass gas cell coupled Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Lightweight Chemical Detectors (LCD) systems. While these systems possess adequate sensitivity to detect CWAs in general, their analysis times are not considered 'rapid' nor are they able to identify the specific CWA. The U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground's annual S/K Challenge event provides the opportunity to assess the performance and reliability of prospective detection instrumentation being developed by researchers worldwide to optimize their performance. To do so, trial testing of CWA simulants in both indoor and outdoor environments was performed, mimicking past attack scenarios. Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometric (MIMS) technology on a portable system was successful in performing a rapid analysis along with identification of each CWA simulant utilized during the trials. The MIMS system can detect and quantify low-mass permeable compounds with parts-per-trillion limits of detection. This allows for analysis to be achieved within seconds after the initial exposure time, which is significantly faster than the FTIR and LCD systems currently used.

Investigations into anthropogenic sources of pollutants in the remote region of Puerto Williams, Chile utilized a fieldable portable mass spectrometer for on-site analysis targeting water and atmospheric air. This expedition highlights the benefits of portable instrumentation that is readily taken out into the field, in providing the community with scientific evidence of ongoing contamination. Two notable locations exhibited noticeable quantities of BTEX constituents, while remote regions remain untainted. Correlations between distance to the community and the sampling sites are indicative of sources of pollutants being anthropogenic in nature.

Sub-eV ion deposition via soft-landing ion mobility has been utilized for a variety of applications. It has allowed for the deposition of a dielectric material onto graphene without introducing defects into the lattice structure. This deposition technique has also been used for surface enhanced Raman studies. Deposited silver has also been used as an alternative MALDI matrix for low mass compounds and shows promise for imaging applications.

We present data taken from a 0.5 mm ro cylindrical ion trap to track the performance of storage and tandem experiments. The cylindrical ion trap and other mass selecting devices are compared in light of miniaturization. The core components of a cylindrical ion trap mass spectrometer, including ion optics, mass selector assembly, detector, ion source, and housing are described. In these experiments, mass spectral data of xylene is presented. Isolation of the precursor ion was accomplished by modulating the DC ramp voltage, and collision-induced dissociation was accomplished by applying various tickle voltages to the endcaps of the ion trap. Conclusions of projected performance of smaller ion traps (approximately 1 μm) will also be discussed.