ICP-MS is a complex method to quantify metals (also their different isotopes) and certain non-metals even at very low concentrations in a sample. The Kantonsspital Aarau 🏥 has an ICP-MS to determine concentration for example of #electrolytes, essential elements and potentially toxic metals in urine and blood samples.🩸
The technique uses an inductively coupled plasma to ionize the sample creating ions that are detected by mass #spectrometry. The #plasma is created by heating a gas (e.g. argon) with an electromagnetic coil 🧲 and igniting the freeing of electrons intro the gas which are accelerated and collide with argon atoms which can split off more electrons producing a fireball 🔥☀️ with temperatures of around 6000 °C 🥵🤯. Careful, don't get too close! (just kidding 😁) A sample enters the machine and evaporates which causes molecules to break apart and their atoms to ionise 🌬.
The generated ions are channeled into a mass spectrometer where they are separated by their mass-to-charge ratio. A detected obtains a signal proportional to the elements concentration.
Christoph Saxer and Peter Neyer, two colleagues at KSA regularly share their expertise with Alina from the NCCR team. 🤗
Have a nice Thursday ☺
#NCCR #Science #Lab #scicomm #NCCRmse