Progress report on novel micro-GC chiral-MS

at IMSC2022 Maastricht, NL

At the global biannual International Mass Spectrometry Conference in Maastricht, NL, IMSC2022, our public-private EFRO-consortium of MassSpecpecD BV, Qmicro by Sensirion, Radboud University, University of Twente and Saxion University of Applied Sciences presented a progress report on our novel prototype machine for direct MS analysis of the enantiomeric excess of mixtures of chiral molecules. The novel prototype apparatus combines micro-Gas Chromatography and direct chiral Mass Spectrometry using laser-based imaging of PhotoElectron Circular Dichroism (PECD).

Following the separation of a mixture of (chiral) molecules injected in a microGC, the output flow of a normal GC column is expanded in vacuum via a micro-fabricated de Laval nozzle and crossed by an ionizing circular polarized ultrafast laser pulse. Ions and electrons are detected sequentially on a time- and position sensitive detector. The Time-of-Flight of the ions provides the mass of the molecules as they elute from the column. The forward-backward PECD asymmetry in the angular distribution of the photoelectrons is detected by Velocity Map Imaging and is directly proportional to the enantiomeric excess of the eluting chiral molecule.

Our Founder & CEO dr. Maurice Janssen (left) and dr. Peter Krueger (employed at consortium partner Radboud University) in front of our Poster contribution (in matching "corporate PECD color") during one of the sessions at IMSC2022. In various other sessions, e.g. with food & flavor related topics, it was reported that the measurement of enantiomeric excess is a key factor in the further development of novel (consumer) products.


The full program of IMSC2022 can be found at this pdf link (Program IMSC2022), the book of abstracts of all oral contributions at this pdf link (Book of Abstracts Orals) and the book of abstracts of all the poster contributions can be found at this pdf link (Book of Abstracts Posters).

The conference had close to 1300 participants, who contributed in 315 lectures and some 743 posters. At the conference there were various award sessions like for the 2019-2022 Thomson Award Medalists, the "Nobel award" within the global Mass Spectrometry community. The IMSC conferences are organized every 2 year by the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation (www.imss.nl). The next edition of IMSC will be in Melbourne Australia in August 2024, imsc2024melbourne.com .