Clemson University

University of California

Battelle Memorial Institute on Behalf of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Battelle Memorial Institute

University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Gaa Custom Engineering LLC

R Kenneth Marcus

David W Koppenaal

Richard E Russo

Charles J Barinaga

Charles Derrick Quarles, Jr

Anthony J Carado

Gordon A Anderson

Igor Luzinov

Philip J Brown

Ying Zhu

Lei Wang

Sisi Huang

Tyler Y Slonecki

Terri F Bruce

Edward D Hoegg

David L Donohue

Trousdale A Lewis

Douglas C Duckworth

Rhonda Reigers Powell

W W Harrison

Chris Anderson

Kenneth A Christensen

Yonnie S Wu

Tyler Williams

W Clay Davis

A relatively fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for separation and isolation of biologically active nanoparticles is described. Methods include the use of solid phase separation medis such as channeled fibers in a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) protocol to isolate biologically active nanoparticles from other components of a mixture. Biologically active nanoparticles can include natural nanoparticles (e.g., exosomes, lysosomes, virus particles) as well as synthetic nanoparticles (liposomes, genetically modified virus particles, etc.)

Channeled fibers in separation of biologically active nanoparticles

Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.

Multi-electrode/multi-modal atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma ionization device

A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).

Means of introducing an analyte into liquid sampling atmospheric pressure glow discharge

A solid phase for use in separation has been modified using an aqueous phase adsorption of a headgroup-modified lipid to generate analyte specific surfaces for use as a stationary phase in separations such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or solid phase extraction (SPE). The aliphatic moiety of the lipid adsorbs strongly to a hydrophobic solid surface, with the hydrophilic and active headgroups orienting themselves toward the more polar mobile phase, thus allowing for interactions with the desired solutes. The surface modification approach is generally applicable to a diversity of selective immobilization applications such as protein immobilization clinical diagnostics and preparative scale HPLC as demonstrated on capillary-channeled fibers, though the general methodology could be implemented on any hydrophobic solid support material.

Functionalized lipid modification of solid phase surfaces for use in chromatography

Solid phase extraction devices including a plurality of packed nominally aligned capillary-channeled polymeric fibers for use as stationary phase materials are disclosed. A plurality of fibers are packed together in a casing so as to provide good flow characteristics through the fibers and high surface area contact between a sample and the fibers. Different polymer compositions of the fibers permit the 'chemical tuning' of the extraction process. The fibers can be physically or chemically derivatized to target specific analytes for separation from a test sample. Use of the fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backpressures. The fibers are easily packed into a micropipette tip or a conduit for use with a fluid flow device such as an aspirator or a pump. The devices can be used for isolation and pre-concentration of analytes from samples, for instance for proteins from buffer solutions or extraction of pollutants from remote locations.

Capillary-channeled polymeric fiber as solid phase extraction media

Polymer fibers having a novel cross-sectional geometry are used as stationary phase materials for liquid chromatography separations. Fibers of 20 to 50 micrometer diameters have surface-channel structures extending their entire lengths. Bundles of fibers having this novel cross-sectional geometry are packed in columns. Different polymer compositions permit the 'chemical tuning' of the separation process. Channeled fibers composed of polystyrene and polypropylene have been used to separate mixtures of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Pb-containing compounds and fatty acids. Use of channeled fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backing pressures. Applications in HPLC, cap-LC, prep-scale separations, analytical separations, single fiber separations, waste remediation/immobilization, extraction of selected organic molecules/ions from solution, purification of liquid streams (process waste, drinking water, pure solvents), selective extraction of cell matter and bacteria from growth media, and immobilization of cell matter and bacteria are envisioned.

Channeled polymer fibers as stationary/support phases for chemical separation by liquid chromatography and for waste stream clean-up

A glow discharge spectroscopy (GDS) source operates at atmospheric pressure. One of the discharge electrodes of the device is formed by an electrolytic solutioncontaining the analyte specimen. The passage of electrical current (either electrons or positive ions) across the solution/gas phase interface causes local heating and the volatilization of the analyte species. Collisions in the discharge region immediately above the surface of the solution results in optical emission and ionization that are characteristic of the analyte elements. As such, these analyte elements can be identified and quantified by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) or mass spectrometry (MS). The device uses the analyte solution as either the cathode or anode. Operating parameters depend on the electrolyte concentration (i.e. solution conductivity) and the gapbetween the solution surface and the counter electrode. Typical conditions include discharge currents of about 10 to about 60 mA and potentials of about 200 to about 1000 volts. Electrolyte solutions of pH, pNa or pLi values of about 0.5 to about 2 and interelectrode gaps of about 0.5 to about 3 mm produce stable plasmas where the analyte solutions are totally consumed at flow rates of up to about 2.0 mL/min.

Atmospheric pressure, glow discharge, optical emission source for the direct sampling of liquid media

The apparatus and methods employ momentum separation to implement a particle beam (PB) sampling scheme for the introduction of particulate matter into low pressure (e.g., glow discharge) plasma sources for subsequent atomic emission and mass spectrometry chemical analysis in real time, whether the particles are provided in a continuous stream during the analysis or are collected in situ and analyzed periodically upon obtaining a suitable number of particles to be analyzed. The particulate matter in the particle beam (PB) is subjected to low-power laser scattering to effect particle size analysis. Gases removed by momentum separation are also analyzed.

Sampling and analysis of airborne particulate matter by glow discharge atomic emission and mass spectrometries

A high voltage accelerating potential, which is supplied by a high voltage direct current power supply, is applied to the electrically conducting interior wall of an RF powered glow discharge cell. The RF power supply desirably is electrically grounded, and the conductor carrying the RF power to the sample held by the probe is desirably shielded completely excepting only the conductor's terminal point of contact with the sample. The high voltage DC accelerating potential is not supplied to the sample. A high voltage capacitance is electrically connected in series between the sample on the one hand and the RF power supply and an impedance matching network on the other hand. The high voltage capacitance isolates the high DC voltage from the RF electronics, while the RF potential is passed across the high voltage capacitance to the plasma. An inductor protects at least the RF power supply, and desirably the impedance matching network as well, from a short that might occur across the high voltage capacitance. The discharge cell and the probe which holds the sample are configured and disposed to prevent the probe's components, which are maintained at ground potential, from bridging between the relatively low vacuum region in communication with the glow discharge maintained within the cell on the one hand, and the relatively high vacuum region surrounding the probe and cell on the other hand. The probe and cell also are configured and disposed to prevent the probe's components from electrically shorting the cell's components.

Radio-frequency powered glow discharge device and method with high

A method and apparatus for analyzing solid sample materials mounted externally to the apparatus is provided wherein a low pressure glow discharge is initiated by applying a radio frequency potential to an integral, continuous solid sample and an electrically grounded anode in the presence of an inert gas, the glow discharge being maintained such that the inert gas is ionized and the ionized gas sputters sample material, the sputtered sample material then passing into an analyzer region for analysis.

Device for radio frequency powered glow discharge spectrometry with

A method and apparatus for analyzing solid sample materials is provided wherein a low pressure glow discharge is initiated by applying a radio frequency potential to an integral, continuous sample cathode and an electrically grounded anode in the presence of an inert gas, the glow discharge being maintained such that the inert gas is ionized and the ionized gas sputters sample material, the sputtered sample material then passing into an analyzer region for analysis.

Analytical method and apparatus

Sample material is sputtered from an orifice in a disc mounted in a hollow cathode. A plasma plume is ejected from the orifice and the material sputtered from the smaple is transported directly into the base of the plasma plume. Collisions with particles in the plasma plume excite the sputtered material. Light emission and absorption from the plume are measured and ions in the plume are measured. A chamber surrounding the plasma plume is maintained at about 1 torr. About 15 cc's per minute of argon are supplied to the hollow cathode at 2 torr. The power supply supplies about 200 volts at about 0.10 amps. Low energy argon ions strick the disc at the end of the cathode tube and sputter atoms off the aperture. Atoms collide with particles in the plasma causing excitation, photon emission and ionization of atoms which are measured by optical and mass spectrometers.

Growing community of inventors

Clemson, SC, United States of America

R Kenneth Marcus