Every Ion Counts: 4-D Mass Spectrometry

Recent innovations have elevated mass spectrometry (MS) into a ubiquitous and indispensable analytical technique. However, the increasing complexity of the instrument has gradually turned it into a closed system whereby specific methods are suitable for only a narrow range of well-defined applications/analyses. We propose a new and radical approach to how we perform ion spectrometric analyses - new modes of operation for such experiments. The key enabler of this concept relies on two novel modes for MS analysis in which contrasting polarities are accessible in addition to the traditional positive and negative modes - what we have termed "four dimensional (4D) MS". The 4D MS strategy has potential to generate up to 50% more analytical data, and to enable new experiments including isomer differentiation, enhanced mixture classification and high confidence molecular weight assignments on any ordinary standalone mass spectrometer. This project can lead to the formation of new MS capability providing a means for more comprehensive measurement by way of 4D-MS.