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H2020Doctoral network2016–2019

IMPACT · Ion-Molecule Processes for Analytical Chemical Technologies

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-01-01 → 2019-12-31
EU contribution
€2,538,628
Participants
22
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

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Results in brief

Ion-Molecule Processes for Analytical Chemical Technologies

A key issue with any analytical system based on mass spectrometry or ion mobility with no initial separation of compounds is to have a high level of confidence in chemical assignment. IMPACT developed new methods for improved chemical specificity by manipulating ion chemistry to be incorporated into the next generation of commercial SCIMS instruments. Increased selectivity is needed for many analytical applications, and this is opening up new areas of research and commercial activity. IMPACT also brought cohesion to the fragmented SCIMS research and development activities within the EU. Before the start of IMPACT, most SCIMS developments had been driven not by users but by manufacturers, whose main focus has been on increased sensitivity. Instead of private and public sectors working independently, IMPACT brought a fresh intersectoral approach. Its overall impact is to replace the need for major and costly changes in instrumental design for improved chemical specificity by providing a deeper understanding of the ion chemistry involved. Hence, IMPACT’s fresh approach has produced a step change in the development of SCIMS instrumentation and thereby has brought both economic and societal benefit to the EU. IMPACT is providing Europe with both a world-class capability in SCIMS technology and a cohort of highly trained researchers who will bring the benefits of that technology to citizens across the EU.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Soft chemical-ionization mass-spectrometry (SCIMS) is an exquisitely sensitive analytical technique with applications to health, the environment and security that are vital to the EU. However, the recent, rapid and widespread adoption of this technique has caught Europe unprepared. The resultant shortage in analytical chemical expertise has created an urgent need for highly skilled young researchers to be trained in the wide variety of SCIMS methods. IMPACT addresses this skills’ shortage by establishing an intersectoral and multidisciplinary SCIMS training network. IMPACT also brings cohesion to the fragmented SCIMS research and development activities within the EU. To date, most SCIMS developments have been driven not by users but by manufacturers, whose main focus has been on increased sensitivity. However, just as crucial is improved selectivity. Indeed, many users consider improved selectivity to be the key to taking SCIMS technology to a whole new level. Instead of private and public sectors working independently, we need a fresh, intersectoral approach. IMPACT will achieve this through intersectoral work packages and multidisciplinary research projects. In place of major and costly changes in instrumental design, IMPACT’s projects will focus on developing new methods for improved chemical specificity by manipulating ion chemistry. Hence, IMPACT’s fresh approach will produce a step change in SCIMS instrumentation to deliver both economic and societal benefit to the EU. Specifically, IMPACT will train 10 ESRs within an integrated partnership of commercial, governmental and academic organisations, with planned secondments, 5 Advanced Training Courses, 7 interactive Complementary Skills Workshops, and 4 ESR Centred Research Meetings. IMPACT will therefore provide Europe with both a world-class capability in SCIMS technology and a cohort of highly trained researchers who will bring the benefits of that technology to citizens across the EU.

Original text from CORDIS.

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union