Open AccessApplications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in 2021: An annual review
Author(s) -
RankinTurner Stephanie,
Reynolds James C.,
Turner Matthew A.,
Heaney Liam M.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
analytical science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2628-5452
DOI - 10.1002/ansa.202100067
Subject(s) - suite , workflow , computer science , data science , dart ion source , focus (optics) , chemistry , ionization , geography , physics , database , archaeology , ion , organic chemistry , electron ionization , optics
Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) has revolutionized the field of analytical chemistry, enabling the rapid, direct analysis of samples in their native state. Since the inception of AIMS almost 20 years ago, the analytical community has driven the further development of this suite of techniques, motivated by the plentiful advantages offered in addition to traditional mass spectrometry. Workflows can be simplified through the elimination of sample preparation, analysis times can be significantly reduced and analysis remote from the traditional laboratory space has become a real possibility. As such, the interest in AIMS has rapidly spread through analytical communities worldwide, and AIMS techniques are increasingly being integrated with standard laboratory operations. This annual review covers applications of AIMS techniques throughout 2021, with a specific focus on AIMS applications in a number of key fields of research including disease diagnostics, forensics and security, food safety testing and environmental sciences. While some new techniques are introduced, the focus in AIMS research is increasingly shifting from the development of novel techniques toward efforts to improve existing AIMS techniques, particularly in terms of reproducibility, quantification and ease‐of‐use.