The team uses wet filter paper and a novel technique for analysis using a combination of mass spectrometry and chromatography. Samples for analysis can be pre-loaded to the paper and can range from whole blood to surface contaminates, showing promise for both security applications and in-situ analysis. Their study has resulted in a no-frills method that is useful for fast, qualitative, and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures.

The entire article, "Paper Spray for Direct Analysis of Complex Mixtures Using Mass Spectrometry" by He Wang, Jianjian Liu, R. Graham Cooks and Zheng Ouyang is available at: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 49, Issue 5, Pages 877 - 880.