Microfabricated monolithic multinozzle emitters for nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry.
Mass spectrometry is the enabling technology for proteomics. To fully realize the enormous potential of lab-on-a-chip in proteomics, a major advance in interfacing microfluidics with mass spectrometry is needed. Here, we report the first demonstration of monolithic integration of multinozzle electrospray emitters with a microfluidic channel via a novel silicon microfabrication process. These microfabricated monolithic multinozzle emitters (M3 emitters) can be readily mass-produced from silicon wafers. Each emitter consists of a parallel silica nozzle array protruding out from a hollow silicon sliver with a conduit size of 100 x 10 mum. The dimension and number of freestanding nozzles can be systematically and precisely controlled during the fabrication process. Once integrated with a mass spectrometer, M3 emitters achieved sensitivity and stability in peptide and protein detection comparable to those of commercial silica-based capillary nanoelectrospray tips. These M3 emitters may play a role as a critical component in a fully integrated silicon/silica-based micro total analysis system for proteomics.
Kim
Woong
W
The Molecular Foundry, Materials Sciences Division, and Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Guo
Mingquan
M
Yang
Peidong
P
Wang
Daojing
D
D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D012825:Silicon; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; D012825:Silicon