Advanced Chemical Research at UCC Working Mass Spectrometry with Advanced Chemical Research at UCC Working Mass Spectrometry with What is a mass spectrometer? How does the mass spectrometer work? The particles are separated by mass, The spectrometer works on the principle that ions can be separated by using a varying magnetic field The mass spectrometer is an instrument widely used by mass while moving through a magnetic field. chemists, geologists, biologists, physicists and forensic The ions are then subjected to a magnetic field in the analyser. This scientists to determine the relative molecular mass of atoms In general, the process of testing a substance follows the sequence: magnetic field deflects the ions. The degree of deflection depends on the mass of the particles and the strength of the magnetic field. The stronger and molecules. The spectrometer was invented in 1919 by • Introduction of sample • vaporisation the magnetic field, the greater the deflection. Also the lighter a particle, the Francis W Aston while working in the world famous Cavendish • ionisation greater its deflection. By adjusting the magnetic field, ions of a particular Laboratories in Cambridge under JJ Thompson, the man who • acceleration mass can be made to fall on the detector, where they produce a small discovered the electron. • detection electric current. By gradually increasing the magnetic field ions of greater • analysis mass can be brought in turn to focus on the detector. What is a mass spectrometer?We will now look at each stage in turn. How does the mass spectrometer work? TheThe Higher particles Education are Authority separated by mass, This is followed by amplification The spectrometer works on the principle that ions can be separated by andusing the PRTLI a varying magnetic field The mass spectrometer is an instrument widely used by of the signal produced mass while moving through a magnetic field. Ireland’s future prosperity requires that a knowledge-based chemists, geologists, biologists, physicists and forensic The detector is very sensitive, and the signal is amplified electronically societyThe beions created. are The then goal subjectedis to develop toa society a magnetic where field in the analyser. This and displayed on a computer monitor. At the same time, it is printed as socialmagnetic development, field quality deflects of life the and ions. personal The growth degree are of deflection depends on the In general, the processa of spectrograph testing .a This substance spectrograph follows gives the massthe sequof the ionsence: along the scientists to determine the relative molecular mass of atoms enhanced through innovation in a thriving economy. • Introductionhorizontal of sample axis and their relative abundance on the vertical axis. mass of the particles and the strength of the magnetic field. The stronger and molecules. The spectrometer was invented in 1919 by The HEA (Higher Education Authority) is playing • vaporisation the magnetic field, the greater the deflection. Also the lighter a particle, the Interpretation of data or spectrograph a key role in this. The HEA advises the government Francis W Aston while working in the world famous Cavendish • ionisation andgreater it provides its deflection. much funding By adjustingin higher theeducation magnetic field, ions of a particular In the spectrograph the percentage of each ion can be determined by throughmass the can PRTLI, be madean investment to fall onvehicle the intendeddetector to, where they produce a small Laboratories in Cambridge under JJ Thompson, the man who • accelerationcalculating its fraction of the total abundance. This is called the relative transformelectric Irish current. research. By graduallyThe PRTLI increasing (Programme the magnetic field ions of greater • detection abundance of an isotope. This is done by comparing the length of the line for Research in Third Level Institutions) allows discovered the electron. with the sum total length of all the lines. • analysis third-levelmass caninstitutions be brought to build infrastructurein turn to focus and provide on the a detector. career-path for talented researchers. Its funds, combined We will now look at eachWhat stage is inthe turn. mass spectrometer used for? with those from other funding bodies, are creating a first The Higher Education Authority class research ecosystem in Ireland. You can find out more Fig. 1 Mass spectrograph of myoglobin, a muscle tissue protein Until about 1970, the mass spectrometer was used to identify and This is followed by amplification and the PRTLI analyse the abundance of isotopes. Since then it has been modified about the HEA at www.hea.ie. to determine the masses of unknown organic compounds and help Theof scale the of the signal investment is produced significant. To date, PRTLI determine their structures. The ionisation process breaks up the Fig. 2 Researcher introduction of sample to spectrometer funding has exceeded €600 million in some years. The PRTLI Ireland’s future prosperity requires that a knowledge-based compound into smaller fractions each of which forms a trace. All of What is relative molecular mass? investsThe indetector infrastructure is (buildingsvery sensitive, and equipment) and the and signalthe is amplified electronically these traces form a complex mass spectrum characteristic of the initial society be created. The goal is to develop a society where researchers who use it. Thirty-three research centres will be The relative molecular mass of a substance is defined as the sum of Introduction and vaporisation compound. Research establishments have data banks of the mass and displayed on a computer monitor. At the same time, it is printed as provided when the programme is complete. social development, quality of life and personal growth are the relative atomic masses of the atoms in a molecule. However, not all spectrographs of compounds and scientists can draw on them to readily a spectrograph. This spectrograph gives the mass of the ions along the atoms of a particular element have the same mass. Such atoms are called of a substance identify compounds, for example to identify gases produced by waste One such centre is the Analytical and Biological enhanced through innovation in a thriving economy. isotopes. The sample to be tested is introduced to the machine through a sample dumps and trace organic pollutants in water. The spectrometer is also horizontal axis and their relative abundance on the vertical axis. Chemistry Research Facility (ABCRF) at University Frederick Soddy coined the phrase isotope while working with lead 206, inlet. The sample must then be vaporised. In the case of liquids this is used in drug testing. College Cork. The researchers here carry out complex The HEA (Higher Education Authority) is playing 207 and 208 which are formed when uranium decays radioactively. He easy as the machine contains a vacuum which lowers the boiling point. However, solids may have to be melted in a special attachment before analytical work on important biological molecules, from found that atoms of the same element can have the same number of A worked example the smallest to the largest macromolecule, which might a key role in this. The HEA advises the government protons but different numbers of neutrons. they are introduced through the sample inlet. Interpretation of data or spectrograph An element is found to have two isotopes with the following abundances contain millions of atoms. In doing so, these researchers and it provides much funding in higher education Isotopes have the same number of protons therefore the same Atomic 55% 63X and 45% 64X. We can identify it by calculating the relative useIn the the most spectrograph advanced and sophisticated the percentage instruments of andeach ion can be determined by Number. However, they have different numbers of neutrons therefore Ionisation of particles through the PRTLI, an investment vehicle intended to atomic (AR ) mass, as follows. equipment - spectroscopy, holography, crystallography and have different Mass Numbers. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 Once inside the particles are ionised. They are bombarded by high masscalculating spectrometry. its fraction of the total abundance. This is called the relative transform Irish research. The PRTLI (Programme for this work. energy electrons which are boiled off a hot negatively charged wire, often abundance of an isotope. This is done by comparing the length of the line (55 x 63) + (45 x 64) = 3465 + 2880 = 6345 = 63.45g/mol for Research in Third Level Institutions) allows Aston initially worked with neon. Using his mass spectrometer, he was referred to as the electron gun. The negative charge on the wire repels 100 100 100 with the sum total length of all the lines. eventually able to show that almost all elements have isotopes. In fact, these electrons [like charges repel], while the anode attracts them [unlike third-level institutions to build infrastructure and provide a he used the mass spectrometer to discover 212 of the 278 naturally charges attract]. Thus, the electrons move at great speed. These high This indicates that the element is Copper (Cu). occurring isotopes or nuclides. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his energy electrons strike the molecules and knock other electrons off them career-path for talented researchers. Its funds, combined and, in doing so, turn the molecules into positive ions. work in 1922. YouWhat can out more is about the the ABCRFmass and these spectrometer used for? with those from other funding bodies, are creating a first research projects at http://abcrf.ucc.ie and at Acceleration of the ions in a charged field class research ecosystem in Ireland. You can find out more Fig. 1 Mass spectrograph of myoglobin, a muscle tissue protein www.sciencetechnologyaction.comUntil about 1970, the mass spectrometer was used to identify and These positive ions are attracted by a series of negatively charged plates analyse the abundance of isotopes. Since then it has been modified about the HEA at www.hea.ie.