Chemical Forums

General Forums => Generic Discussion => Topic started by: raging_nucleus on November 07, 2012, 03:19:37 PM

Title: What if you put your finger in front of an electrospray ionization source?
Post by: raging_nucleus on November 07, 2012, 03:19:37 PM

It's a stupid question, but I want to know what would happen if you dismantled the mass spectrometer around an electrospray ionization source and put your finger in front of it while it was operating. Would it destroy the tissues in your finger, or would the amount of ions be so small that skin damage would be insignificant?

Title: Re: What if you put your finger in front of an electrospray ionization source?
Post by: curiouscat on November 07, 2012, 03:50:02 PM

Sounds like fait accompli to me.  >:D

 How does it look?

Title: Re: What if you put your finger in front of an electrospray ionization source?
Post by: Arkcon on November 07, 2012, 04:24:04 PM

There are a number of practical problems with finding out.  The machines have interlocks that won't let them run if they're open.  Also, the electrospray only works to make fine droplets, dry them, and give them a charge in a vacuum, and you've broken the vacuum.  Also, the port is very tiny and embedded in a skimmer cone, so your finger can't get close enough.  I don't recall the voltage, something like 5-7 volts?  But I don't know how many amps.