US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Elizabeth S Dhummakupt

Phillip M Mach

Trevor G Glaros

Daniel O Carmany

Jennifer W Sekowski

Harold S Wylie

John M Nilles

An apparatus and method for detecting an analyte of interest using paper spray mass spectrometry includes a spray material; a sample on the spray material including an enzyme of interest; a solvent to hydrate the sample, promote enzymatic activity, and extract analytes of interest from the sample; a substrate specific to the enzyme of interest, wherein any of the spray material and the solvent includes the substrate; a voltage source to apply a voltage to the spray material to create charged droplets of a mixture containing the sample; and a mass spectrometer to perform spectrometry on the droplets to perform any of: identify the analytes of interest in the sample; and measure a level of inhibition in any enzymes contained in the sample.

Mass spectrometry ionization based-assay for the detection of enzyme activity and/or presence

An apparatus and method to capture aerosols and vapors on substrates from a large variety of sources and matrices for analysis using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is disclosed. A holder for a PS cartridge has better direct sampling efficiency, direct capture on substrate, and lower limits of detection thereby improving the collection and analysis of aerosols and vapors. An apparatus and method for aerosol and vapor collection, from both anthropogenic and environmental sources, for example, that is compact and compatible with hand held devices and unmanned vehicles is also disclosed.

Direct capture and analysis of aerosols and vapors by paper spray mass spectrometry

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Abingdon, MD, United States of America

Elizabeth S Dhummakupt