US Patent 7413907 - Mass spectrometer using CNT mat

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7413907.html

This patent from Rice University teaches using a functionalized mat of carbon nanotubes (i.e. bucky paper) as a binding matrix for analytes used in mass spectroscopy. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for analyzing molecules with MALDI-MS comprising the steps of:

a) providing a mat of functionalized carbon nanotubes;

b) making a solution of analyte molecules in a suitable solvent;

c) contacting the analyte molecules with the mat of carbon nanotubes by placing a quantity of the analyte solution on the mat;

d) removing the solvent to form an analyte mat; and

e) performing MALDI-MS on the analyte mat.