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Baylor University.

Design and implementation of a custom imaging mass spectrometer.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) has been demonstrated as one of the most robust and capable analytical tools for chemical analysis. As such, MS has found application across practically every field of science today. One notable area where MS is used today is in the analysis of biological samples, such as tissues, where MS has been utilized for lipidomic, proteomic, metabolomic, etc. The work contained in this document outlines the author's contribution to an ongoing project for developing a novel class of imaging mass spectrometer towards the goal of subcellular imaging. Construction of the proposed instrument required a large amount of engineering to ensure the instrument was capable of achieving subcellular mass spectral imaging. In many cases, commercially available instrument components did not meet the specifications of the project and thus custom-engineered solutions were necessary. While subcellular mass spectral imaging has not yet been achieved with this instrument, development of most of the underlying subsystems has been completed. Chapter Two describes many of the system, their function, and how they achieved the necessary specifications for subcellular mass spectral engineering. Construction of mass spectrometers require an understanding of ion trajectories which can be solved either analytically or numerically. While analytical solutions are able to account for ion trajectories under ideal conditions, they are mathematically complex and limited in application to arbitrary geometries. Numerical solutions are mathematical approximations that, when given sufficient computational resources, capable of approaching analytical solutions in accuracy but for arbitrary geometries. In Chapter Three, a technique called Segmented Monte Carlo (SMC) is introduced for unsupervised optimization and characterization of ion optics in mass spectrometers, including the mass spectrometer outlined in this document. Throughout the design and implementation of this instrument it was observed that instrument automation and control was a recurring difficulty. Many different instrument control platforms were investigated, and each was found unsuitable for the scope and requirements of this project. In Chapter Four, an instrument control platform called Data Station One (DSO) is introduced as a solution to this problem. Chapter Five completes the story by discussing future research and outlines a plan for completion of the instrument.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Doctoral
Grantor
Baylor University.
Year dc:date.issued
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Brantley, Matthew Ryan, 1989-
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Solouki, Touradj, 1963-

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/2104/10779
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/10779

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Baylor University
Base URL
baylor-ir.tdl.org/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Brantley, Matthew Ryan, 1989-. Design and implementation of a custom imaging mass spectrometer.. Doctoral thesis, Baylor University., 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/2104/10779