Flow Controller For Electrospray

Cutting-edge microfluidic flow controller for electrospray applications

Electrospray is a process that generates a fine spray of charged particles, typically ranging from nanometers to micrometers in diameter. The technique involves extruding a liquid sample through a nozzle while applying a high voltage electric field, which ionizes the liquid and atomizes it into small droplets. The charged droplets then disperse in a cone shape (Taylor cone) due to repulsive forces.

Electrospray is widely used in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and for the generation of nanoparticles. To ensure precise and continuous flow of liquid through the nozzle, a flow controller is necessary. Commonly used pumps, such as peristaltic or syringe pumps, may not provide the required accuracy and stability. Instead, flow-driven pressure controllers like the OB1 MK4 are recommended for their ability to achieve a stable and accurate flow of liquid.

The pressure profile applied by the flow controller can be optimized to generate consistent and reproducible particle sizes. The collected particles can be further analyzed using techniques such as mass spectrometry. Our team of experts can assist in configuring the optimal setup for electrospray experiments.

Customizable & upgradable solution for optimization & scalability of your electrospray

The OB1 MK4 flow controller is a highly customizable instrument designed to meet the specific requirements of your experiments. With one channel, it enables precise control of the flow of a single liquid into one or multiple nozzles with the same pressure. If you need to spray different liquids, you can individually control the different outlets on the OB1 MK4. With the capability to set up to four lines per flow controller, multiple flow controllers can be configured together for even more versatility.

To further customize the OB1 MK4 to your needs, each individual outlet can be configured to operate within a specific pressure from -1 bar to 8 bar. Our team of experts is available to assist you in determining the optimal configuration and number of pressure outlets required for your experiment. Contact us to learn how the OB1 MK4 can be tailored to your specific research needs.

Control the flow rate and/or the pressure at the tip of the nozzle

The ionization of the liquid in electrospray experiments relies on the precise control of liquid flow within a high voltage electric field. This makes the monitoring and regulation of liquid pressure and flow rate essential parameters to control. To achieve optimal experimental control, the flow controller OB1 MK4 can be connected to  flow rate (MFS) and/or a pressure sensors (MPS). Thanks to the data collected, a feedback loop can be set to ensure high stability and accuracy for the flow rate.

With our intuitive software, you can easily control the pressure profile applied to the liquid and collect data from all connected sensors. Automated experiments can also be performed using our sequencer, which allows you to create a sequence of instructions. For advanced users, the OB1 MK4 is equipped with SDK libraries, allowing you to control it with your own code and connect it to other instruments.

By utilizing our advanced flow control solutions, you can ensure consistent and reproducible results in electrospray experiments through fine control of liquid flow. Our team of experts is available to help you determine the optimal configuration.

To learn how to set an electrospray experiment using our instruments, have a look at the following article: Sobreira, Tiago & Avramova, Larisa & Szilagyi, Botond & Logsdon, David & Loren, Bradley & Jaman, Zinia & Hilger, Ryan & Hosler, Richard & Ferreira, Christina & Koswara, Andy & Thompson, David & Cooks, R. & Nagy, Zoltan. (2020). High-throughput Screening of Organic Reactions in Microdroplets Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS): Hardware and Software Implementation.. Analytical Methods. 12. 10.1039/D0AY00072H.