Robotic Surface Analysis Mass Spectrometry (RoSA-MS) of Three-Dimensional Objects

Anyin Li, Martin R.L. Paine, Stephen Zambrzycki, Rachel B. Stryffeler, Jason Wu, Marcos Bouza, Jake Huckaby, Chu Yin Chang, Manoj Kumar, Piyoosh Mukhija, Facundo M. Fernández

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many technologies currently exist that are capable of analyzing the surface of solid samples under ambient or vacuum conditions, but they are typically limited to smooth, planar surfaces. Those few that can be applied to nonplanar surfaces, however, require manual sampling and a high degree of human intervention. Herein, we describe a new platform, Robotic Surface Analysis Mass Spectrometry (RoSA-MS), for direct surface sampling of three-dimensional (3D) objects. In RoSA-MS, a sampling probe is attached to a robotic arm that has 360° rotation through 6 individual joints. A 3D laser scanner, also attached to the robotic arm, generates a digital map of the sample surface that is used to direct a probe to specific (x, y, z) locations. The sampling probe consists of a spring-loaded needle that briefly contacts the object surface, collecting trace amounts of material. The probe is then directed at an open port liquid sampling interface coupled to the electrospray ion source of a mass spectrometer. Material on the probe tip is dissolved by the solvent flow in the liquid interface and mass analyzed with high mass resolution and accuracy. The surface of bulky, nonplanar objects can thus be probed to produce chemical maps at the molecular level. Applications demonstrated herein include the examination of food sample surfaces, lifestyle chemistry, and chemical reactions on curved substrates. The modular design of this system also allows for modifications to the sampling probe and the ionization source, thereby expanding the potential of RoSA-MS for a great diversity of applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3981-3986
Number of pages6
JournalAnalytical Chemistry
Volume90
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 20 2018
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the NASA Astrobiology Program, under the NSF Center for Chemical Evolution (CHE-1504217). We thank Alexander Lambert, Ruffin White, and Prof. Henrik I. Christensen for discussions and assistance in the early stages of the project.

FundersFunder number
National Science FoundationCHE-1504217, 1504217
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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