NRNU MEPhI: Mass spectrometers

2022: Launch of the project for the creation of a domestic tandem mass spectrometer

As part of the state development program scientific instrument making NRNU MEPHI , a project was launched to create domestic a tandem mass spectrometer. To implement this project, the university is creating the laboratory "Applied Ion Physics and Mass Spectrometry" (as a joint laboratory of the LaPlaza and INTEL institutes). This was announced by the company NRNU MEPhI on September 21, 2022. Professor Alexey Sysoev has been appointed the head of this unit.

Mass spectrometers are the most informative instruments capable of determining the chemical composition of liquid and gaseous substances. According to Alexei Sysoev, the Department of Molecular Physics of NRNU MEPhI has long-standing reserves in the development of such devices, but if earlier it was about creating devices for export, then in September 2022 the question is primarily about meeting Russian needs for chemical analysis devices.

Mass spectrometers are used in a wide variety of fields, in particular, they are of great importance for ensuring food safety and. medicine All Russia mass spectrometers used in tandem are of imported origin, world in such devices they are produced exclusively the American the Japanese by companies. Anti-Russian sanctions exclude the purchase of both new devices and spare parts for them, which makes the creation of domestic devices acute.

The working layout of the domestic tandem mass spectrometer is located in NRNU MEPhI during assembly. It is planned that a prototype of the device will be created in 2024, and an installation series will be released in 2025. The probable manufacturer of the series is the industrial partner of NRNU MEPhI, a participant in the Skolkovo project, the Medchromtech company.

The Russian need for tandem mass spectrometers, according to Alexei Sysoev, is about 50 devices per year, and about 30 more devices could be exported.

The desire to participate in the project of creating a domestic mass spectrometer together with NRNU MEPhI has already been expressed by Sechenov University, the Faculty of Chemistry of Moscow State University, the Institute of Analytical Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Petroof Petrochemical Synthesis. Partners, in particular, are ready to take over the development of chemical analysis methods and finishing tests of this device. Students and graduate students of NRNU MEPhI will be involved in work in the laboratory.