Author: Danny Blenkhorn

In collaboration with Prof Justin Lawley of the University of Innsbruck, we have customised and manufactured our transportable EI-TOF-MS (Compact EI-TOF-MS | Kore Technology) to provide real-time analysis of breath gases and VOCs during physiology experiments with millisecond delay times and customised analogue data output to 3^rd party control and signal processing software.

As this experiment is about the rapidly changing concentrations of gases and VOCs, the TOF-MS is ideally suited to this measurement with the added benefit that Justin and his team are able to identify any unknown gases and VOCs in post-experiment data analysis, something which is not achievable with quadrupole or magnetic sector instruments.

We look forward to seeing the results of these experiments and continuing our positive relationship with Justin and his research group.

KORE EXHIBITS AT MICROBIOLOGY SOCIETY CONFERENCE 2022 – NORWICH

Kore Technology were proud to be a sponsor and exhibitor at the recent “Microbial Cycling of Volatile Organic Compounds” conference organised by the Microbiology Society at the John Innes Centre, University of East Anglia. We brought a PTR 3c instrument to demonstrate the possibilities of real-time VOC sampling to the biological and microbial academic community. 

After discussing the benefits of the Kore PTR 3c with researchers, we even had the opportunity to analyse some samples for a researcher (Libby Hanwell) who demonstrated to her colleagues the ease of sampling and analysis of the VOCs in her experiment. We are excited to continue to work with Libby and other researchers at the University of East Anglia and look forward to seeing the results of their research.

More information on the Microbiology Society can be found here: Homepage | Microbiology Society and more information on the Kore PTR 3c here: PTR-MS – PTR 3c | Kore Technology

We have recently undertaken a project to design and build a customised time-of-flight mass spectrometer system for research into laser-ablated plumes for the HiLASE Centre in Czech Republic. The project BIATRI of the HiLASE Centre is aimed at exploring novel pathways of matter evolution by excitation of matter with short and ultra-short laser pulses of moderate intensities. This will permit the design of materials with new and unique properties.

A key diagnostic instrument for the setup was a versatile Kore reflectron time-of-flight spectrometer. Using TOF-MS, laser ablation plumes can be characterised in a number of modes. For this current embodiment, the system will analyse positive and negative ions using a dual microchannel plate (DMCP assembly). The TOF flight tube has been designed to hold an alternative 10kV post-accelerated detector (discrete dynode design), which may be swapped in for positive ions only. The instrument has been designed to operate in multiple ionisation modes for neutral molecules: electron impact ionisation, and laser post-ionization.

We have designed this custom instrument on a separate, transportable bench with table top at the appropriate height to permit the instrument to be brought up to the client’s experiment chamber.

We are excited to continue to work with Professor Bulgakov and the HiLASE Centre and look forward to seeing the results of their research using our Kore Custom TOF-MS instrument.

During these challenging and unprecedented times, our main priority at Kore remains our customers. We are proud to announce that for now we are continuing business as usual. The safety and well-being of our staff is of the utmost importance, and so most of our staff are working remotely to be with their families and minimise risks, but are fully contactable as usual. Some key staff are still in the building, and we have increased our health and safety standards in line with the most up-to-date government advice. We have implemented social distancing and have increased hand washing and use of PPE. We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be transparent with our customers on any effects on delivery times or any other issues.