Massbox enables materials scientists and engineers to spend less time acquiring data and more time learning from it. It packs patented technology into a compact system that is as easy to use as a smartphone. In doing so, it delivers analyses in mere minutes with ppb sensitivity effectively bringing high-end chemical analysis out of analytical laboratories and into any facility. 

Patented Technology 

The Massbox uses Exum’s patented Laser Ablation Laser Ionisation (LALI) source with an industry leading Time of Flight (ToF) mass analyser for rapid, high-sensitivity chemical characterisation. LALI-ToF-MS overcomes the shortcomings of other chemical analysis techniques and allows users to quantitatively measure a broad range of the periodic table and perform chemical mapping in a single, easy-to-use desktop package. For metallic elements, its detection limits are comparable to those of traditional mass spectrometry techniques. Plus, it measures important low-mass and non-metallic elements that are challenging for other instruments (e.g., Li, C, O, N, etc.). 

Comparison with Other Analytical Techniques

	Ease of Use	Light Elements	Metallic Elements	Sensitivity	Speed	Chemical Mapping	Quantitative
MASSBOX	○	○	○	○	○	○	○
LA-ICP-MS			○	○		○	○
ICP-MS*			○	○			○
Inert gas fusion/combustion	◒	○			○		○
XRF	◒		○		○		◒
SEM-EDX	○	◒	○		○	◒

_{* ICP-MS requires liquid sample introduction unless combined with with laser ablation.}

Easy Installation and Use 

Exum has delivered a number of Massbox systems to date. In each case, the system was up and running withing hours. New users require less than a day of training to begin gathering impactful data, which demonstrates the Massbox’s ease-of-use.

Analytical Modes 

Quantitative Analysis 

Quantitative analysis of all elements in the periodic table down to trace level. 

Elemental Mapping 

Determine elemental distributions for everything from failure analysis to quality control. Choose specific regions within an 83 x 83mm area. The spatial resolution is determined by the laser spot size which can be varied from 5 to 200µm. 

Rapid Screening 

Automatically detect and verify elements within seconds of pressing “Go”. Ideal for identifying unknown materials or checking for trace element contaminants. 

Depth profiling 

Perfect for characterising coatings or surface modifications, users can check for chemical variations as a function of depth, either on individual spots or regions. Depending on the material type and user-defined laser power, the laser typically removes 10s of nanometers per shot. 

Applications

• Materials Science – ideal for chemical/elemental analysis and quality control in materials research and industrial applications e.g. screening raw materials and QC of finished products 
• Advanced Manufacturing – Quantify metallic, trace and contaminant elements in a single session, Massbox streamlines materials development, process control, or quality control applications 
• Battery research – The versatility of Massbox makes it ideal for battery research, equally able to characterise lithium and metallic elements in Li-ion and lead-based batteries 
• Reverse engineering – Determine the complete chemical composition quickly and easily down to trace level 
• Environmental science – Massbox is ideally suited to the analysis of complicated environmental materials. As such it caters for everything from detecting toxic contaminants through to analysis of recycled materials 
• Mining, oil and gas –Resource extraction requires the characterisation of geological materials. Massbox caters for everything from critical minerals, rare earths, lithium and other commodities