New directions and applications of membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS)

我们的研究计划集中在开发和应用在线分析技术，直接和持续监测环境和人类健康的关键决定因素。本研究的目标是提供直接采样平台，可以直接耦合到敏感和选择性检测系统，如质谱，以提供实时，高精度的测量。我们的研究项目有两个主题领域，大致特征为：1)膜导入质谱（MIMS）仪器的新方向和2)实时分析数据的新应用。膜导入质谱法使用半透膜预先浓缩分析物，同时拒绝大部分样品基质，允许直接在线分析，而无需样品制备。这项研究带来的“更快、更好、更便宜”的分析方法可以直接应用于环境化学、人体暴露和材料特性的研究。例如，在环境系统中实时监测微量污染物（例如室内/室外空气质量、饮用水消毒副产物）的能力对于了解健康风险和在问题发生时迅速减轻问题至关重要。在复杂样品中更快地进行化学鉴定和定量也可直接应用于应急响应场景、质量控制和临床诊断。因此，我们的研究计划对环境质量和人类健康具有直接意义。

Our research program is centred on the development and application of on-line analytical techniques for the direct and continuous monitoring of key determinants of environmental and human health. The goal of this research is to provide direct sampling platforms that can be directly coupled to sensitive and selective detection systems, such as mass spectrometry, to provide real-time, high precision measurements. Our research program has two thematic areas broadly characterized as 1) new directions in membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) instrumentation and 2) new applications of real-time analytical data. Membrane introduction mass spectrometry uses a semi-permeable membrane to pre-concentrate analytes while rejecting the bulk of the sample matrix allowing direct, on-line analysis without sample preparation. The 'faster, better, cheaper' analytical methods enabled by this research can be directly applied to the study of environmental chemistry, human exposure and material properties. For example, the ability to monitor trace contaminants in real-time in environmental systems (e.g. indoor/outdoor air quality, drinking water disinfection by-products) is of paramount importance in understanding health risks and rapidly mitigating problems when they occur. Substantially faster chemical identification and quantification in complex samples also has direct application in emergency response scenarios, quality control and clinical diagnosis. Consequently, our research program has direct significance for environmental quality and human health.