RUI: CMI: Effect of solution conditions and analyte properties on negative ion electrospray ionization

在化学系化学测量和成像计划的支持下，克里斯汀·胡格教授和斯蒂芬·卢卡斯教授及其团队将探索负离子电喷雾电离的基本原理，这是一种在质谱学检测之前通过去质子化选择性地对酸性分子充电的电离技术。具体地说，研究人员将研究不同pH条件下的电离机制，并开发一个多变量模型，预测不同溶液/pH条件下不同物理化学类型的酸性分析物的响应。在追求这些目标的过程中，该团队将检验这样一种假设，即分析物的物理化学性质对电离效率的影响比离子形成的途径更大。由于詹姆斯·麦迪逊大学是一所以本科生为主的大学，化学和数学专业的本科生将进行拟议的研究，并在这样做的过程中，学习如何有效地跨学科协作和交流。此外，胡格教授和卢卡斯教授在妇女和聋人参与他们的研究方面有着良好的记录。这些小组将继续是研究项目不可或缺的一部分。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professors Christine Hughey and Stephen Lucas and their groups will explore the fundamentals of negative ion electrospray ionization, an ionization technique that selectively charges acidic molecules by deprotonation prior to mass spectrometric detection. Specifically, the researchers will investigate the mechanisms of ionization under different pH regimes and develop a multivariate model that will predict response for physiochemically diverse acidic analytes under different solution/pH conditions. In pursuit of these objectives, the team will test the hypothesis that analyte physiochemical properties have a greater impact on ionization efficiency than the route of ion formation. Since James Madison University is a predominately undergraduate institution (PUI), undergraduate chemistry and mathematics majors will conduct the research proposed and, in doing so, will learn how to effectively collaborate and communicate across disciplines. In addition, Professors Hughey and Lucas have a demonstrated track record with the involvement of women and the deaf in their research. The groups will continue to be an integral part of the research project.