ToF‐SIMS analysis of chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols in Beijing

Discrete fast Fourier transform-assisted ultraviolet-infrared dual resonance spectroscopy for aerosol detection and identification

Aerosol decrease is considered as one of the most important environmental challenges. The current study introduces a novel analytical method for accurate and precise detection and identification of different aerosols. The designed array-based spectroscopic method is based on "discrete fast Fourier transform"-assisted dual resonance ultraviolet-infrared spectroscopy for reliable quantitative/qualitative analysis of aerosols like fug, smog, silica-based micro-/nanoparticles, carbon soot, etc. The detection system is arranged using a slice (5 × 5 cm) of a digital versatile disk as a simple, low-cost, available, and size-controllable wavelength selector (grating) and light reflector with control through a software program. The results show that this method is suitable for real-time detection of different types of chemical agent-modified particles with acceptable sensitivity and selectivity and improved detection limit.

Advancements in ToF-SIMS imaging for life sciences

In the last 2 decades, Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) has gained significant prominence as a powerful imaging technique in the field of life sciences. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth overview of recent advancements in ToF-SIMS instrument technology and its applications in metabolomics, lipidomics, and single-cell analysis. We highlight the use of ToF-SIMS imaging for studying lipid distribution, composition, and interactions in cells and tissues, and discuss its application in metabolomics, including the analysis of metabolic pathways. Furthermore, we review recent progress in single-cell analysis using ToF-SIMS, focusing on sample preparation techniques, in situ investigation for subcellular distribution of drugs, and interactions between drug molecules and biological targets. The high spatial resolution and potential for multimodal analysis of ToF-SIMS make it a promising tool for unraveling the complex molecular landscape of biological systems. We also discuss future prospects and potential advancements of ToF-SIMS in the research of life sciences, with the expectation of a significant impact in the field.