New Cutting-Edge Mass Spectrometry Lab Inaugurated at Chalmers for Sustainable Materials Research

On May 14, Chalmers University of Technology celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art mass spectrometry facility at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The newly inaugurated infrastructure, named Chalmers Chemical Imaging, is one of the first Research Technology Platforms (RTPs) to be launched within the Wallenberg Initiative Material Science for Sustainability (WISE) — a major national investment in sustainable materials science.

Funded by WISE, the lab is equipped with an FT-ICR mass spectrometer (Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance), also known as MRMS (Magnetic Resonance Mass Spectrometry). This advanced instrumentation provides unparalleled resolution and accuracy in identifying and measuring molecular masses, enabling researchers to gain deep insights into the molecular structure of new materials.

“To discover and develop new sustainable materials, we need deep chemical understanding of how these materials are constructed at the molecular level,” said Per Malmberg, Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at Chalmers. “Our new instrument uses Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) to identify and localize molecules, offering unique insight into a material’s properties. MSI enables us to study molecular phenomena on very small scales — at surfaces and interfaces — whether it involves polymers, batteries, organic electronics, paper, wood, or biomaterials.”

The instrument’s versatility allows it to be combined with a variety of ionization techniques, including MALDI, DART, and Electrospray, expanding its range of applications and enabling interdisciplinary research collaborations.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Magnus Berggren, Program Director of WISE, marking a significant step forward in Sweden’s national efforts to support groundbreaking research and innovation in material science.

“This new infrastructure at Chalmers represents a world-class research tool to accelerate the development of advanced materials for a sustainable society. By equipping scientists with cutting-edge equipment and instruments, we’re enabling discoveries that can transform industries and contribute to a more sustainable future,” said Magnus Berggren, Program Director of the Wallenberg Initiative Material Science for Sustainability (WISE).