3D printing in mass spectrometry

Some of the earliest applications of 3D printing for analytical chemistry appeared for mass spectrometry (MS), to introduce, manipulate, and separate ions in the gas phase. The additive manufacturing approach and its evolution continues to have many benefits for MS researchers and users alike, including flexible device integration, rapid setup development/customization, device portability, improved user-friendliness, and enhanced materials with broader temperature/chemical resistance and capability (e.g., electrical conductivity). This chapter addresses recent developments on the use of 3D printing toward MS where the selection of the most appropriate printing method in combination with applicable material for applications is examined. Application-wise, 3D printing has proven its value in MS for the development of novel strategies for online and offline sample preparation, ionization, ion transport, and mass spectrometer interfaces, and advances on these fronts are discussed in the second part of this chapter. The ultimate aim of this chapter is to present the reader with an overview of how 3D printing is changing the way in which we as researchers conceive MS-based experiments, owing to the near limitless possibilities created in design and manufacturing freedom, illustrated by recent examples from the scientific field.