Chalmers University of Technology

The Chemical Imaging Infrastructure (CII)

Name of RTP
The Chemical Imaging Infrastructure (CII) at Chalmers University of Technology – A Mass Spectroscopy Imaging Platform

Scientist in charge   
Per Malmberg, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology

Point of contact
Per Malmberg
malmper@chalmers.se
031-7728321

Status
Operational and inaugurated

Brief description of RTP
A research infrastructure with a primary focus on high lateral resolution imaging mass spectrometry. The infrastructure offers a wide range of tools for analytical questions within materials science, geoscience and life science. The multimodal imaging capabilities make CII unique in that we have tools and competence for both high mass resolution FT-ICR MALDI and high spatial resolution TOF-SIMS.

The major strengths of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) are (1) molecular and elemental spatial information at very high sensitivity (down to 1E12 atoms/cm³), (2) efficient detection of light elements such as H, Li and B, and (3) access to the molecular fine structure, with high mass resolution analysis, with precise separation of isotopes such as ¹⁸O and ²D.

These strengths allow unique insights into material phenomena such as oxidation and corrosion, cracking, polymer aging and wear, precipitation, diffusion, crystal growth, and grain boundary segregation. MSI provides an understanding of molecular as well as elemental phenomena at very small scales, at surfaces, interfaces or even in the depth of a material, be that in steel, polymers, batteries, organic electronics, paper, wood, or biomaterials”.