Courtesy of Luis Fernando Velásquez-García, Colin Eckhoff, et al
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MIT researchers have successfully utilized additive manufacturing to create a miniaturized mass filter, a crucial component of mass spectrometers. This leap in technology holds the potential to revolutionize the deployment of such devices, making them lighter, more cost-effective, and easier to produce.
At the heart of a mass spectrometer lies the mass filter, responsible for sorting charged particles based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Quadrupoles, a common type of mass filter, have traditionally been made of stainless steel, resulting in bulky and expensive devices.
The lead principal research scientist at MIT, Luis Fernando Velásquez-García, and his team have successfully harnessed the potential of additive manufacturing to develop a miniaturized quadrupole that offers unprecedented advantages.
Constructed from a glass ceramic resin, the miniaturized quadrupole strikes an ideal balance between unparalleled precision and cost-effectiveness. Differing from traditional manufacturing techniques that could result in assembly-induced flaws, this 3D printed apparatus is produced in one seamless process, preventing the occurrence of any potential performance-impairing problems.
Elucidating the importance of their novel approach, Velásquez-García affirmed, “Should the size and cost of this equipment be reducible without negatively impacting its performance, the potential applications would be numerous.”
The team employed a modern 3D printing method known as vat photopolymerization to build the quadrupole. The glass-ceramic resin, a material resistant to high temperatures, was finely fashioned into the form of hyperbolic rods. This design is optimal for mass filtering, an objective that is challenging to accomplish using traditional strategies. See more about 3D printing here.
An complex web of triangular frameworks also guarantees strength and accurate rod placement, even under active conditions.
To evaluate the effectiveness of their 3D-printed quadrupoles, the researchers incorporated them into a commercial system. Impressively, the findings showed higher resolutions than other small filters, possessing a quarter of the density of typical stainless-steel filters.
The scientists aim to further improve the quadrupole’s performance by increasing its length, allowing for more accurate measurements. Velásquez-García foresees a future where all crucial components of a mass spectrometer can be 3D printed, lowering weight and cost without sacrificing performance.
This advancement has extensive consequences, from crime scene investigation to environmental surveillance. Velásquez-García underscores the potential uses, stating:
A more cost-effective and simplistic device could be launched into space to monitor Earth’s atmospheric chemical composition, offering the same benefits for distant planets.
Such a feat aligns with the consistent twenty-year journey to manufacture a portable mass spectrometer via 3D printing, paving the way for unparalleled opportunities in scientific exploration.
The team from MIT intends to further fine-tune the components of their 3D printed mass spectrometer, striving for improvement in precision and versatility. Velásquez-García, while expressing recognition of the ongoing work, stated:
“We still have a great deal of work ahead, yet this is a promising beginning.”
MIT’s breakthrough in 3D-printed mass spectrometer components marks a significant milestone, paving the way for more accessible and efficient chemical analysis in various fields.
This achievement reinforces the potential of additive manufacturing to reshape the landscape of scientific instrumentation.
The research, detailed in the publication – Advanced Science, was funded by Empiriko Corporation.
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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