MIT researchers recently applied additive manufacturing techniques to produce a miniaturized quadrupole, which is a critical component of mass spectrometers. This 3D printed device is not only more cost-efficient and lighter, but it also competes with commercial filters in terms of accuracy.
Mass spectrometers are central to a variety of applications, such as crime scene investigation and environmental monitoring. Their traditional counterparts, however, are bulky, costly, and difficult to employ effectively. MIT’s innovative solution is a 3D printed quadrupole that could potentially transform the core of mass spectrometry.
Made with durable and heat-resistant glass-ceramic resin, the miniaturized quadrupole marks a huge advancement in portable mass spectrometry. Unlike traditional filters, this 3D printed component doesn’t require assembly, eliminating the occurrence of defects that can hamper performance. Its compact design, which costs only a few dollars, competes with commercial-grade counterparts that exceed $100,000, signaling a new era of accessibility.
MIT’s development broadens the use of mass spectrometry beyond its usual scope, potentially being utilized in locations such as isolated rainforest regions for quick on-site pollutant analysis. Due to its lightness, it could potentially be used for space exploration, tracking chemical compositions in the Earth’s atmosphere or on foreign planets.
The research group utilized a heat-resistant glass-ceramic resin, taking advantage of vat photopolymerization for the accurate 3D printing of the component. The hyperbolic rod style that resulted, which is typically difficult to achieve with conventional methods, improved the efficiency of mass filtering.
To enhance performance, electroless plating was used by the researchers to cover the rods with a thinly spread metal layer, creating an electrical conductivity. Testing has shown that the 3D printed quadrupoles exhibit superior results to their stainless-steel alternatives in terms of resolution and accuracy.
“We are not the initial group to make an attempt at this. However, we are the first to have achieved success,” Velásquez-García stated, who is the senior author of a paper that delves into the details of the project.
“There are other miniaturized quadrupole filters, but they are not comparable with professional-grade mass filters. There are a lot of possibilities for this hardware if the size and cost could be smaller without adversely affecting the performance”.
As the researchers plan to enhance quadrupole performance by increasing length and exploring alternative ceramic materials, the future holds promise for more precise and versatile 3D printed mass spectrometry solutions. This breakthrough not only transforms the landscape of chemical analysis but opens avenues for cost-effective, portable spectrometry in diverse environments.
The research paper, titled “Low-Cost, Compact Quadrupole Mass Filters with Unity Mass Resolution via Ceramic Resin Vat Photopolymerization” can be found in Advanced Science at this link.
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“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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