{"id":2109,"date":"2026-04-30T15:44:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/metric\/?page_id=2109"},"modified":"2026-11-03T18:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T18:36:12","slug":"self-use-instrumentation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/metric\/self-use-instrumentation\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Use Instrumentation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
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GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ideal for volatile and semi-volatile compounds.<\/p>\n \n

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\"Agilent<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Agilent Intuvo 9000GC \/ 5977C MSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The integration of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry provides a unified platform for small-molecule characterization, serving as a bridge between synthetic design and biological discovery. In chemical synthesis, the system is primarily used to map reaction pathways by identifying transient intermediates, verifying product purity, and quantifying side-products. This same analytical logic extends to biological applications, where the instrument profiles the chemical “output” of a system\u2014such as metabolites, signaling lipids, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)\u2014to understand cellular health or metabolic flux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent application:<\/strong> Identification of compounds in the essential oils of different hemp varieties after hydrodistillation. Seventy-nine compounds were identified in the extracts, including major volatile components \u03b1-pinene, \u03b2-myrcene, \u03b1-humulene, and \u03b1-terpineol. The GC-MS analysis also utilized the resident NIST spectral library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Munmun, B., Agwuncha, S. C., Sharmita, B., Bloomquist, M., Davis, J., Lucian, L., & Lokendra, P. (2026). Hydrodistillation-based essential oil extraction and soda pulping of spent hemp biomass for sustainable fiber production. Molecules, 31<\/em>(3), 500. DOI:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules31030500 <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hourly rate:<\/strong> $17<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial training:<\/strong> $80 (up to 3 people; ~ 4 hours)<\/p>\n\n\n

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HRAM (High-Resolution Accurate Mass)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For complex mixture analysis and molecular formula confirmation.<\/p>\n \n

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\"Exactive<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thermo Fisher Scientific Exactive Plus with UltiMate 3000 UHPLC System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Exactive Plus utilizes high-resolution Orbitrap technology to provide the precise molecular weight measurements necessary for identifying unknown compounds and confirming synthetic yields. It is used for formula verification of new molecules, tracking biotransformations in metabolic studies and enzymatic processes, and analyzing complex mixtures where overlapping signals require high mass accuracy to resolve. Its ability to perform rapid, full-scan analysis makes it a reliable tool for both purity assessment and the screening of small-molecule libraries. Any molecule that can be ionized using electrospray in slightly aqueous conditions and produces an ion under m\/z<\/em> 6,000, including transition metal complexes, is appropriate for analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent Application:<\/strong> This system was used to verify and quantify a novel cobalt-quaterpyridine adjuvant essential to functionalize a crystalline carbon nitride semiconductor designed to chemically reduce CO2<\/sub>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott McGuigan, Stephen J. Tereniak, Carrie L. Donley, Avery Smith, Sungho Jeon, Fengyi Zhao, Renato N. Sampaio, Magnus Pauly, Landon Keller, Leonard Collins, Gregory N. Parsons, Tianquan Lian, Eric A. Stach, and Paul A. Maggard. Discovery of a Hybrid System for Photocatalytic CO2<\/sub> Reduction via Attachment of a Molecular Cobalt-Quaterpyridine Complex to a Crystalline Carbon Nitride. ACS Applied Energy Materials 6<\/em> (20), 10542-10553. DOI: 10.1021\/acsaem.3c01670.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hourly rate:<\/strong> $22<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial training:<\/strong> $100 (up to 2 people; ~ 4 hours)<\/p>\n\n\n

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MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption \/ Ionization)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Rapid analysis of polymers, proteins, and synthetic molecules.<\/p>\n \n

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\"Bruker\u00a0Autoflex\u00a0maX\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bruker Autoflex maX MALDI-TOF<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bruker Autoflex maX utilizes MALDI-TOF technology to provide rapid mass analysis of large, non-volatile molecules that are difficult to ionize by other methods. In chemical synthesis, it is primarily used for the characterization of polymers and large synthetic complexes, allowing for the determination of molecular weight distributions and end-group analysis. In addition, (peptides, dyes, monomers, other)Within biochemical applications, it serves as a high-throughput tool for protein identification (peptide mass fingerprinting), monitoring post-translational modifications,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent Applications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Synthesis of bacteriochlorophyll a<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Synthesis and characterization of 5,15-bis(hydroxymethyl)porphyrins \u2013 simple compounds distantly inspired by the chlorosomal bacteriochlorophylls<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Ionic Liquid Medium Enables Development of a Phosphine-Mediated Amine\u2013Azide Bioconjugation Method<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhanced Visible Light Absorption in Heteroleptic Cuprous Phenanthrolines<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hourly rate:<\/strong> $22<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial training:<\/strong> $75 (up to 5 people, 3 minimum; ~ 3 hours)<\/p>\n\n\n

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**We encourage groups that routinely use the instrument to invest in their own target<\/strong><\/a> (Bruker Part No:8280784 or 8280781 depending on application.). By adopting a dedicated target plate, you eliminate the risk of cross-contamination and “chemical memory” from previous users, ensuring that your mass spectra remain free of exogenous peaks or polymer interference. This approach also optimizes your workflow, allowing for offline sample preparation in your own laboratory, which minimizes instrument idle time. Furthermore, owning your target ensures consistent surface quality; by following strict, internal cleaning protocols, you preserve the plate\u2019s integrity, which is essential for achieving the high mass resolution and reproducible calibration required for publication-quality data.**<\/p>\n\n\n

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ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

High-sensitivity (ppt) elemental and metal analysis .<\/p>\n \n

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\"ICP-MS\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thermo Fisher Scientific iCAP RQ ICP-MS <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) provides precise quantitative analysis of elemental composition, typically measuring over 45 different elements (highlighted in the above figure) <\/em> at trace levels. In chemistry, the technique is used to verify the elemental purity of synthetic compounds and to detect residual catalysts or metallic contaminants within complex mixtures. For biochemical applications, it facilitates the study of metallomics by quantifying essential and toxic trace metals in biological matrices such as tissues, blood, and plant materials, supporting research into metal-protein interactions and metabolic homeostasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hourly rate:<\/strong> $25<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial training:<\/strong> $750 (up to 3 people; 16-20 hours over 2-3 days; includes argon cost of ~$500\/tank)<\/p>\n\n\n

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**This instrument is available for self-use by research groups with high-volume projects involving hundreds to thousands of samples. Approved users are responsible for providing all consumables required for sample preparation and storage, including analytical standards, solid-phase extraction cartridges, HPLC columns, and LC vials. METRIC will supply LC solvents.**<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For small scale needs, please contact our colleagues, Bill Cotham and Lijian He, at University of South Carolina for fee-for-service options.<\/h4>\n\n\n
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QQQ (Triple Quadrupole)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Optimized for high-sensitivity targeted absolute quantification using METRIC-validated workflows.<\/p>\n \n

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\"Agilent<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Agilent 6495C Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer with Agilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

METRIC’s triple quadrupole LC-MS\/MS (QQQ) system provides sensitive, targeted quantification of compounds in complex environmental and biological matrices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-Use:<\/strong> Available to approved research groups with high-volume projects (hundreds\/thousands of samples). Following training and clearance, researchers may use METRIC’s designated walk-up space for sample extraction and dry-down. Shared solvents and basic consumables are available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Validated Workflows:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n