Mobile Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry: Stability and Performance in Motion

We often hear that Orbitrap mass spectrometers are massive, power-hungry, and permanently stationed in labs. However, a recent study published in Analytical Chemistry demonstrates that modern benchtop Orbitrap Exploris systems can acquire high-resolution mass spectrometry data while being moved, maintaining performance even during transport through a hospital setting.

Key Findings:

• An Orbitrap Exploris system was mounted on a wheeled cart with a battery-powered UPS, rough pump, and gas cylinder, allowing it to be transported through a hospital, including onto an elevator.
• Mass accuracy remained within ±5 ppm, and total ion current stability was maintained, even during movement and acceleration.
• This setup successfully acquired real-time, high-resolution MS data without requiring dedicated lab infrastructure.
• When paired with Karsa’s MION2 ion source, which enables multi-pressure chemical ionization (MPCI), the system offers enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for trace chemical detection in complex environments.

Implications for Industry:
This study confirms that high-resolution Orbitrap MS is no longer limited to fixed lab setups. The ability to operate while in motion opens new possibilities for:

• Field-based MS applications (e.g., environmental monitoring, industrial process control)‍
• Online process monitoring with real-time chemical detection‍
• Flexible deployment in non-lab environments, such as manufacturing sites or mobile labs

Indeed, at the MION workshop, we heard from several participants that they have successfully shipped their Orbitraps and used them in field locations. This breakthrough in Orbitrap mobility significantly expands the potential for high-resolution MS analysis in dynamic real-world applications.

📄 Read the full study here: Anal. Chem. 2024, 96, 8234−8242

‍