# AMS Research Group - Ghent University

> Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) Research Group
> Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
> Group Leader & Principal Investigator: Prof. dr. Frank Vanhaecke (FRSC)

## Overview
The A&MS group is specialized in the development of methods for the determination and elemental speciation analysis of (trace) metals and metalloids via ICP-mass spectrometry and the application of these methods in interdisciplinary contexts.

## Key Research Focus Areas
1. **Tandem ICP-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)**: Interference-free (ultra)trace element determination using reaction gases (NH₃/He, CH₃F, H₂, O₂), chemical resolution, and single-event (single-particle and single-cell) analysis.
2. **Laser Ablation-ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) & Bioimaging**: Direct solid analysis and high-speed elemental and isotopic bioimaging of biological tissues, tumors, and geological specimens with pixel acquisition rates up to 1000 Hz.
3. **Elemental Speciation Analysis & Metallomics**: Hyphenated HPLC-ICP-MS/MS and GC-ICP-MS for chemical form, oxidation state, and metalloprotein identification in health and environment.
4. **High-Precision Isotopic Analysis**: Multi-collector sector-field ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) for non-traditional stable isotopes (Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg) in medical diagnostics ("isotopic diagnosis") and radiogenic/stable isotopes (Pb, Sr) for provenance studies.

## Principal Investigator
- **Name**: Prof. dr. Frank Vanhaecke (FRSC)
- **Role**: Senior Full Professor, Head of A&MS Research Unit, Vice-chair Department of Chemistry
- **Affiliation**: Department of Chemistry, Ghent University
- **ORCID**: 0000-0002-1884-3853 (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1884-3853)
- **LinkedIn**: https://be.linkedin.com/in/frank-vanhaecke-b8694b9
- **Honors**: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), European Award for Plasma Spectrochemistry, Theophilus Redwood Award.

## Analytical Facilities & Instrumentation
1. **ICP - Mass Spectrometers**:
   - Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS/MS Unit (Tandem MS/MS chemical resolution, 100 µs minimum dwell time)
   - TOFWERK icpTOF2R Time-of-Flight MS (Concurrent full elemental spectrum, high-speed bioimaging)
   - Thermo Scientific Neptune XT Multi-Collector ICP-MS (XHR extra-high resolution, 10¹³ Ω resistors, ultra-high precision isotope ratios)
   - Agilent 7900 Quadrupole ICP-MS (ORS⁴ octopole reaction cell, kinetic energy discrimination)
   - Agilent 8800 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS/MS (Tandem MS/MS double mass-filtering)
   - Thermo Scientific XSeries II Quadrupole ICP-MS (Hexapole collision cell)
   - Thermo Scientific Neptune Multi-Collector ICP-MS (9 Faraday cups + 3 ion counting devices, Neptune Plus upgrade)
2. **ICP - Optical Emission Spectrometry**:
   - Spectro Arcos ICP-OES (32 linear CCD detectors in Paschen-Runge mount, 130–770 nm range)
3. **Sample Introduction & Laser Ablation Systems**:
   - icpTOF Quantistar Microdroplet Generator (10–200 pL monodisperse droplets, single-cell calibration)
   - Teledyne Photon Machines Iridia 193 nm ArF* Excimer Laser Ablation System (Cobalt fast-washout cell)
   - Teledyne CETAC MVX-7100 µL Workstation (Total-consumption nebulizer, 5 µL volume)
   - Teledyne Cetac Analyte G2 193 nm Laser Ablation System (1–250 µm beam diameter, 300 Hz)
   - Cetac HGX-200 Cold Vapor and Hydride Generation System (CVG for Hg, As, Se, Sb)
   - Cetac Aridus II Desolvation System (Microconcentric PFA nebulizer + membrane desolvation)
   - Cetac U-6000AT + Ultrasonic Nebulizer (USN)
4. **Chromatographic Separation & Speciation**:
   - Agilent Technologies Infinity 1260/1290 HPLC System (Hyphenated to ICP-MS/MS & MC-ICP-MS)

## Key Navigation & URLs
- [Research Focus](https://ams.ugent.be/research): The 4 core research focus areas and methodology.
- [Publications](https://ams.ugent.be/publications): Complete publication bibliography categorized by Journal Articles (A1), Conference Proceedings, Chapters, and Books.
- [Journal & Book Covers](https://ams.ugent.be/covers): Gallery of featured covers in JAAS, Analytical Chemistry, Metallomics, and Science.
- [Equipment & Facilities](https://ams.ugent.be/equipment): Comprehensive inventory of operational mass spectrometers and sample introduction systems, plus historical archive.
- [Analytical Services](https://ams.ugent.be/services): Collaboration, method development, training courses, and high-end services.
- [People & Researchers](https://ams.ugent.be/members): Academic staff, postdocs, PhD researchers, technical staff, and alumni directory.
- [Awards & Honours](https://ams.ugent.be/awards): International awards, European Plasma Spectrochemistry distinctions, and medal recipients.
- [Careers](https://ams.ugent.be/opportunities): Postdoctoral and PhD applicant inquiries.
- [Contact & Location](https://ams.ugent.be/contact): De pintelaan 270 Building S12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.