<p>Ambient ionization mass
spectrometry enables rapid <i>in-situ</i>
analysis of a plethora of analytes that are relevant to the forensic and
defense communities. As the arsenal of ambient ionization techniques, aimed at
solving specific targeted problems, continues to expand, the adoption of these
techniques into non-academic settings has been relatively slow. At times,
although the technique can provide answers in a more rapid and cheaper manner,
the technique does not pass all of the required legal rules for a particular
analysis when dealing with forensic evidence. This can be demonstrated with the
rapid detection of drugs by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry. Paper
spray ionization mass spectrometry can have drugs deposited onto the paper substrate,
the paper can wipe a surface for trace analytes, and there are commercial and
automated ionization sources for this process. While analysis by paper spray is
rapid, the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG)
states that a minimum of two instrumental techniques need to be utilized. Utilizing
paper substrates that have nanoparticles embedded for surface enhanced Raman
spectroscopy, that can also be utilized for paper spray ionization mass
spectrometry, makes ambient ionization more appealing as it completes that
first legal requirement. </p>
<p>Other times, the slow
adoption of these new ambient ionization techniques is due to specific communities
not being aware of ambient ionization, and specific applications have not yet been
demonstrated. Swab touch spray ionization mass spectrometry follows similar
processes as paper spray ionization, as the swab acts both as the sampling
substrate and the ionization source and can swab for analytes in a manner where
the paper substrate may be damaged and unable to perform the ionization for
analysis. This can be seen for the swabbing of organic gunshot residues and
explosives, both of which current methods already use a swab for sampling but
then need lengthy extraction techniques. The applicability of paper spray
ionization and swab touch spray ionization for these forensic and defense
analyses is only furthered by the fact that they both couple extremely well
with portable mass spectrometers for analysis in the field.</p>
<p>There are also many
fields that ambient ionization is just starting to take its place in the
analytical toolbox. Two such defense fields that are just beginning to expand
into ambient ionization are the analysis of pyrotechnics and microelectronics.
Pyrolysis gas-chromatography mass spectrometry methods have been developed and
utilized for environmental tests for pyrotechnic formulation, but they are slow
and there is an abundance of cleaning steps between analyses to prevent carry
over and contamination. Using paper and swabs as the collection device and
ionization source for environmental analysis of these pyrotechnics allow for
them to be functioned at ambient conditions at the scale at which will be
utilized in the field by the Warfighter. Similarly, authenticating
microelectronics by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
removes the subjectivity of the current methods, while rendering the integrated
circuit intact enabling future use if deemed as a genuine part. By taking
slower or more subjective tests, in a field that has not utilized ambient
ionization heavily in the past and adding these new capabilities to their tool
chest expands the acceptance and future applications of the technique.</p>
<p>As acceptance and
utilization of ambient ionization grows, the next generation of scientists need
to have hands on training in these techniques. Through the development of new
teaching laboratories that couple both the fundamentals of the technique at
hand, while also examining an interesting application to better engage the
students, a number of laboratory exercises have been developed. The creation of
new laboratory exercise utilizing the next generation of instrumentation and
analytical techniques is vital for the future and rapid application of these
techniques. The work discussed herein chronicles the utilization and
demonstration of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in monitoring clandestine
activities, supporting the Warfighter, and redeveloping chemical laboratory education.
</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:purdue.edu/oai:figshare.com:article/7367024 |
| Date | 03 January 2019 |
| Creators | Patrick W. Fedick (5929664) |
| Source Sets | Purdue University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis |
| Rights | CC BY 4.0 |
| Relation | https://figshare.com/articles/Ambient_Ionization_Mass_Spectrometry_Advances_in_Monitoring_Clandestine_Activities_Supporting_the_Warfighter_and_Chemical_Laboratory_Education_Redevelopment/7367024 |
Page generated in 0.0031 seconds