More About My Spectroglyph Internship

These cables are responsible for powering the laser that is ionizing the unknown substance to be studied. The mass spectrometers utilize the MALDI (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization) technique, which requires firing an ultraviolet laser at an energy-absorbing matrix in order to absorb laser irradiation. Charged ions are then accelerated through the funnels with voltage, and analyzed based on the mass-to-charge ratio using Orbitrap analyzer methods.

A single 2-inch funnel board component with a resistor and capacitor soldered onto it. One 2-inch funnel requires roughly 100 of these components, each with a 100 Ω resistor and 50 µFD capacitor. Once the sample is vaporized, these funnels produce a positively charged electric field which repels the positive ions from the sample. The particles accelerate through the funnel, with heavier ions accelerating more slowly. This allows the sample to be studied based on ion mass.

MALDI techniques are capable of removing both extensive and trace amounts of material therefore typically involving lasers at finely tuned wavelengths. This technique primarily uses UV nitrogen or frequency-quadrupled lasers, so high-pass and low-pass filter cables are required. The top left cable is an example of a high-pass frequency cable I utilized at Spectroglyph. The bottom right is a low-pass cable.

Above is an example of a Fischer connector cable, which serves essentially as a power cable for each mass spectrometer. It was vital to ensure this cable was not only assembled properly, but also functioned properly through continuity and other quality performance tests.

Pictured above are a few of the heater cables I constructed to be used in MALDI mass spectrometry. These cables are used to monitor and regulate process temperature during the ionization/ gas phase. The thin brown cable has a thermocouple on one end, which decomposes any gaseous biomolecules that are too big for deflection.

The last sets of cables I fabricated for Spectroglyph were the sliding valve and contact closure cables. Their main purpose was to ensure that only the appropriate biomaterials were being sent through the funnels for deflection. They also prevented other harmful or outside materials from being introduced to the matrix and analyte sample.