The technology takes the form of an ion source, called DART (Direct Analysis in Real Time) that has been developed for use in JEOL's AccuTOF mass spectrometer. DART eliminates the need for sample preparation and, as a result, the need to use either gas or liquid chromatography. Without the use of solvents, radiation, or vacuum, DART simplifies laboratory analysis by eliminating the time it takes to prepare samples, the need for chemicals and their disposal, and the need to maintain and clean plumbing.
JEOL demonstrated a number of applications of the system at the Pittcon exhibition, including using the instrument to analyse everyday items such as currency and clothing to instantly detect the presence of illicit drugs or explosives. During the demonstration, DART identified, in real time, the chemical makeup of spices, biological samples, pharmaceuticals, food, and other goods.
Importantly, DART preserves the integrity of the sample, which is critical for screening or high throughput analyses during forensics investigations, security operations, and toxicological examinations. It is based on the reactions of excited-state species with reagent molecules and polar or non-polar analytes and is free of the limitations of other atmospheric pressure ion sources, which require direct exposure of gaseous or vaporized liquid samples to elevated temperatures and electrical potentials, ultraviolet irradiation, laser radiation, or a high-velocity gas stream, claims JEOL.
During its development and subsequent beta site testing at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Centre in the US, DART successfully sampled hundreds of chemicals, including chemical agents and their signatures, pharmaceuticals, metabolites, peptides and oligosaccharides, synthetic organics, organometallics, drugs of abuse, explosives, and toxic industrial chemicals. These chemicals were detected on a variety of surfaces.