Consolidated Engineering Corporation

Last updated
Consolidated Engineering Corporation
Founded1937
FounderHerbert Hoover Jr.
Headquarters
Pasadena, California
,
United States
ProductsAnalytical Instruments

Consolidated Engineering Corporation was a chemical instrument manufacturer from 1937 to 1960 when it became a subsidiary of Bell and Howell Corp.

Contents

History

CEC was founded in 1937 by Herbert Hoover Jr., eldest son of former United States president Herbert Hoover, as sole proprietor. Harold Washburn was hired in 1938 as VP for Research, with a mandate to develop instruments applicable to petroleum prospecting.

Like his father, Hoover had trained as a mining engineer at Stanford University, studying under Washburn. He earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology in 1932. His thesis Professor was Ernest Lawrence, a physicist at the University of California, Berkeley. Four physicists from California Institute of Technology were hired into the Research Department in a project to develop a mass spectrometer. The initial product was the 21-101 Mass Spectrometer delivered in December 1942, installed in early 1943, initial price $12,000, with no options. [1] [2]

Consolidated Engineering Corporation Mass Spectrometer, Patent 2341551 Consolidated MS.png
Consolidated Engineering Corporation Mass Spectrometer, Patent 2341551

CEC became a publicly held corporation in 1945, with Hoover selling all of his stock. Philip Fogg became President. The name changed to Consolidated Electrodynamics Corp. in 1955, because some states required that a service engineer for an engineering company be a licensed engineer in that state.

The mass spectrometer products and other analytical instrument products were separated from other product lines in a “Chemical Instruments” marketing department sometime between 1945 and 1948 with Harold Wiley as Manager for Chemical Instruments. The Chemical Instruments Department became the Analytical and Control Division in about 1959 with Harold Wiley as General Manager. This name was later changed to the Analytical Instruments Div.

Acquisition by Bell

CEC became a subsidiary of Bell & Howell in 1960. In 1968 the CEC Corporation was dissolved and CEC became the Electronics Instrument Group of Bell and Howell. In the mid-1970s the Analytical Instruments Division of Bell and Howell was sold to the Instrument Division of duPont.

Over the years, mass spectrometry proved to be a widely used and powerful analytical technique and a variety of laboratory instruments became available from several companies. [3] DuPont abandoned the analytical instruments business in the late 1970s, however, CEC's mass spectrometer heritage did not end there.

Physicist Ferdinand Zegel operates a Model 21-130 mass spectrometer made by Consolidated Electrodynamics Corporation, April 1961 Consolidated-Zegel.jpg
Physicist Ferdinand Zegel operates a Model 21-130 mass spectrometer made by Consolidated Electrodynamics Corporation, April 1961

Consolidated Systems Corporation

In the mid-1950s, CEC had split off a subsidiary, Consolidated Systems Corporation, to produce custom instruments and systems. Lawrence G. Hall carried CEC mass spectrometer know-how to CSC and led their team to put the first mass spectrometer in space on a National Aeronautics and Space Administration upper atmosphere research satellite, Explorer 17, in 1963. Nine more satellites and the Pioneer Venus spacecraft carried CSC magnetic sector and quadrupole mass spectrometer analyzers built for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. [4] [5] [6]

In 1967, this business became Perkin-Elmer Corporation's Applied Sciences Division (ASD), located in Pomona. ASD mass spectrometers monitored the respiratory function of returning Apollo astronauts and were evaluated in NASA and U.S. Navy test programs for manned atmosphere monitoring. They were deployed on Skylab (the first U.S. space laboratory), [7] [8] Apollo-Soyuz (the first joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. space mission), Space Shuttle/Spacelab flights and two more USN submarines. ASD research instruments also flew on two Mars Viking Landers in 1976, analyzing the Martian atmosphere and searching for chemical signs of life in its soil. [9]

In the early 1970s, General Manager Bliss M. Bushman led ASD's expansion as a manufacturer of mass spectrometer-based submarine atmosphere monitors and commercial products. Their Central Atmosphere Monitoring System, now in its third generation, has been standard equipment on U.S. Navy submarines for over three decades. [10] [11] Their commercial industrial chemical monitors are sold throughout the world today under Hamilton Sundstrand's Applied Instrument Technologies banner. They are deployed in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, steel and oil refining industries, among others.

ASD became Orbital Sciences Corporation's Sensor Systems Division in 1993 and developed the Major Constituent Analyzer for the International Space Station's atmosphere. SSD was sold again in 2001, becoming Hamilton Sundstrand Space, Land and Sea, Pomona Site, a few months after SSD's MCA began continuous on-orbit operation aboard Space Station. [12] The company is updating and expanding the MCA for Orion, NASA's new manned spacecraft. [13]

Along with Oak Ridge National Laboratories, they developed an ion trap mass spectrometer chemical detection system for chemical warfare agents, [14] and these units are now being deployed on U.S. Army reconnaissance vehicles. When fitted for bio-aerosol sampling, CBMS II has also demonstrated effective biological warfare agent detection.

Related Research Articles

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that is used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The results are typically presented as a mass spectrum, a plot of intensity as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio. Mass spectrometry is used in many different fields and is applied to pure samples as well as complex mixtures.

Secondary ion mass spectrometry Surface chemical analysis and imaging method

Secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a technique used to analyze the composition of solid surfaces and thin films by sputtering the surface of the specimen with a focused primary ion beam and collecting and analyzing ejected secondary ions. The mass/charge ratios of these secondary ions are measured with a mass spectrometer to determine the elemental, isotopic, or molecular composition of the surface to a depth of 1 to 2 nm. Due to the large variation in ionization probabilities among elements sputtered from different materials, comparison against well-calibrated standards is necessary to achieve accurate quantitative results. SIMS is the most sensitive surface analysis technique, with elemental detection limits ranging from parts per million to parts per billion.

Tandem mass spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry, also known as MS/MS or MS2, is a technique in instrumental analysis where two or more mass analyzers are coupled together using an additional reaction step to increase their abilities to analyse chemical samples. A common use of tandem MS is the analysis of biomolecules, such as proteins and peptides.

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is an analytical method that combines the features of gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. Applications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and identification of unknown samples, including that of material samples obtained from planet Mars during probe missions as early as the 1970s. GC-MS can also be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings. Additionally, it can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification. Like liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, it allows analysis and detection even of tiny amounts of a substance.

Quadrupole mass analyzer

The quadrupole mass analyzer (QMS), also known as a transmission quadrupole mass spectrometer, quadrupole mass filter, or quadrupole mass spectrometer, is one type of mass analyzer used in mass spectrometry. As the name implies, it consists of four cylindrical rods, set parallel to each other. In a quadrupole mass spectrometer the quadrupole is the mass analyzer - the component of the instrument responsible for selecting sample ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Ions are separated in a quadrupole based on the stability of their trajectories in the oscillating electric fields that are applied to the rods.

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry Analytical chemistry technique

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) is an analytical chemistry technique that combines the physical separation capabilities of liquid chromatography with the mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS). Coupled chromatography - MS systems are popular in chemical analysis because the individual capabilities of each technique are enhanced synergistically. While liquid chromatography separates mixtures with multiple components, mass spectrometry provides structural identity of the individual components with high molecular specificity and detection sensitivity. This tandem technique can be used to analyze biochemical, organic, and inorganic compounds commonly found in complex samples of environmental and biological origin. Therefore, LC-MS may be applied in a wide range of sectors including biotechnology, environment monitoring, food processing, and pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and cosmetic industries.

Ion-mobility spectrometry Analytical technique used to separate and identify ionized molecules in the gas phase

Ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an analytical technique used to separate and identify ionized molecules in the gas phase based on their mobility in a carrier buffer gas. Though heavily employed for military or security purposes, such as detecting drugs and explosives, the technique also has many laboratory analytical applications, including the analysis of both small and large biomolecules. IMS instruments are extremely sensitive stand-alone devices, but are often coupled with mass spectrometry, gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography in order to achieve a multi-dimensional separation. They come in various sizes, ranging from a few millimeters to several meters depending on the specific application, and are capable of operating under a broad range of conditions. IMS instruments such as microscale high-field asymmetric-waveform ion-mobility spectrometry can be palm-portable for use in a range of applications including volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring, biological sample analysis, medical diagnosis and food quality monitoring. Systems operated at higher pressure are often accompanied by elevated temperature, while lower pressure systems (1-20 hPa) do not require heating.

Isotope-ratio mass spectrometry

Isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is a specialization of mass spectrometry, in which mass spectrometric methods are used to measure the relative abundance of isotopes in a given sample.

Orbitrap

In mass spectrometry, Orbitrap is an ion trap mass analyzer consisting of an outer barrel-like electrode and a coaxial inner spindle-like electrode that traps ions in an orbital motion around the spindle. The image current from the trapped ions is detected and converted to a mass spectrum using the Fourier transform of the frequency signal.

Christie G. Enke is a United States academic chemist who made pioneering contributions to the field of analytical chemistry.

Ion-mobility spectrometry–mass spectrometry

Ion-mobility spectrometry–mass spectrometry (IMS-MS), also known as ion-mobility separation–mass spectrometry, is an analytical chemistry method that separates gas phase ions based on their interaction with a collision gas and their masses. In the first step, the ions are separated according to their mobility through a buffer gas on a millisecond timescale using an ion mobility spectrometer. The separated ions are then introduced into a mass analyzer in a second step where their mass to charge ratios can be determined on a microsecond timescale. The effective separation of analytes achieved with this method makes it widely applicable in the analysis of complex samples such as in proteomics and metabolomics.

Triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQMS), is a tandem mass spectrometer consisting of two quadrupole mass analyzers in series, with a (non-mass-resolving) radio frequency (RF)–only quadrupole between them to act as a cell for collision-induced dissociation. This configuration is often abbreviated QqQ, here Q1q2Q3.

Linear ion trap

The linear ion trap (LIT) is a type of ion trap mass spectrometer. In a linear ion trap, ions are confined radially by a two-dimensional radio frequency (RF) field, and axially by stopping potentials applied to end electrodes. Linear ion traps have high injection efficiencies and high ion storage capacities.

Instrumental chemistry

Instrumental analysis is a field of analytical chemistry that investigates analytes using scientific instruments.

Time-resolved mass spectrometry (TRMS) is a strategy in analytical chemistry that uses mass spectrometry platform to collect data with temporal resolution. Implementation of TRMS builds on the ability of mass spectrometers to process ions within sub-second duty cycles. It often requires the use of customized experimental setups. However, they can normally incorporate commercial mass spectrometers. As a concept in analytical chemistry, TRMS encompasses instrumental developments, methodological developments, and applications.

Sibyl M. Rock Pioneer in mass spectrometry and computing

Sibyl Martha Rock was a pioneer in mass spectrometry and computing. Rock was a key person in Consolidated Engineering Corporation's (CEC) mass spectrometry team at a time when mass spectrometers were first being commercialized for use by researchers and scientists. Rock was instrumental in developing mathematical techniques for analyzing the results from mass spectrometers, in developing an analog computer with Clifford Berry for analysis of equations, and in sustaining an ongoing dialog between engineers and customers involved in development of both the mass spectrometer and an early digital computer, CEC's Datatron.

Aerosol mass spectrometry Application of mass spectrometry to aerosol particles

Aerosol mass spectrometry is the application of mass spectrometry to the analysis of the composition of aerosol particles. Aerosol particles are defined as solid and liquid particles suspended in a gas (air), with size range of 3 nm to 100 μm in diameter and are produced from natural and anthropogenic sources, through a variety of different processes that include wind-blown suspension and combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. Analysis of these particles is important owing to their major impacts on global climate change, visibility, regional air pollution and human health. Aerosols are very complex in structure, can contain thousands of different chemical compounds within a single particle, and need to be analysed for both size and chemical composition, in real-time or off-line applications.

Miniature mass spectrometer

A miniature mass spectrometer (MMS) is a type of mass spectrometer (MS) which has small size and weight and can be understood as a portable or handheld device. Current lab-scale mass spectrometers however, usually weigh hundreds of pounds and can cost on the range from thousands to millions of dollars. One purpose of producing MMS is for in situ analysis. This in situ analysis can lead to much simpler mass spectrometer operation such that non-technical personnel like physicians at the bedside, firefighters in a burning factory, food safety inspectors in a warehouse, or airport security at airport checkpoints, etc. can analyze samples themselves saving the time, effort, and cost of having the sample run by a trained MS technician offsite. Although, reducing the size of MS can lead to a poorer performance of the instrument versus current analytical laboratory standards, MMS is designed to maintain sufficient resolutions, detection limits, accuracy, and especially the capability of automatic operation. These features are necessary for the specific in-situ applications of MMS mentioned above.

Robert E. Finnigan

Robert Emmet Finnigan is an American pioneer in the development of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry equipment (GC/MS). Finnigan founded the Scientific Instruments Division of Electronic Associates, Inc., producing the first commercial quadrupole mass spectrometer in 1964. He then formed Finnigan Instruments Corporation to combine a computer system with a quadrupole mass spectrometer and gas chromatograph. Finnigan's GC/MS/computer systems are used to detect and identify trace organic compounds, making them important instruments for the monitoring and protection of the environment. They were adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a standard instrument for monitoring water quality and were fundamental to the work of the EPA.

References

  1. ↑ Meyerson, Seymour (1986). "Reminiscences of the early days of mass spectrometry in the petroleum". Organic Mass Spectrometry. 21 (4): 197–208. doi:10.1002/oms.1210210406. Archived from the original on 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  2. ↑ Judson, Charles. "Consolidated Electrodynamics Corporation CEC 100 Series mass Spectrometers" (PDF). American Society for Mass Spectrometry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  3. ↑ Grayson, Michael A. (2002). Measuring mass: from positive rays to proteins . Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Press. ISBN   0-941901-31-9.
  4. ↑ Hedin, A.; H. Mayr; C. Reber; N. Spencer; G. Carignan (1974). "Empirical Model of Global Thermospheric Temperature and Composition Based on Data From the Ogo 6 Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer". J. Geophys. Res. 79 (1): 215–225. Bibcode:1974JGR....79..215H. doi:10.1029/JA079i001p00215. hdl: 2060/19730008785 .
  5. ↑ Hedin, A.E.; et al. (1977). "A global thermospheric model based on mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter data MSIS. I - N2 density and temperature". J. Geophys. Res. 82 (16): 2139–2147. Bibcode:1977JGR....82.2139H. doi:10.1029/JA082i016p02139.
  6. ↑ Carignan, G.R.; et al. (1981). "The Neutral Mass Spectrometer On Dynamics Explorer B". Space Science Instrumentation. 5: 429–441. Bibcode:1981SSI.....5..429C.
  7. ↑ Michel, E.L.; J.A. Rummel; C.F. Sawin (1975). "Skylab experiment M-171, Metabolic Activity: results of the first manned mission". Acta Astronautica. 2 (3, 4): 351–365. Bibcode:1975AcAau...2..351M. doi:10.1016/0094-5765(75)90101-0.
  8. ↑ Lehotsky, Ralph B. (1973). "A Mass Spectrometer Sensor System For Metabolic Analysis And Atmospheric Monitoring On Skylab And Future Manned Spacecraft". Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics. San Francisco, CA: American Society for Mass Spectrometry.
  9. ↑ Rushneck, D.R.; et al. (1978). "Viking gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer". Rev. Sci. Instrum. 49 (6): 817–834. Bibcode:1978RScI...49..817R. doi:10.1063/1.1135623. PMID   18699201.
  10. ↑ Wyatt, Jeffrey R. (2001). "No More Loose Fillings Or Slow Embalming. How Naval Science Helped Submariners Breathe Easy". Undersea Warfare. 3 (2).
  11. ↑ Niu, William; Stewart, Gary; Davidson, Laarni; Shadle, Tracy L.; Davis, Audrey (2004). "Feasibility Study of a Next-Generation Submarine Atmosphere Monitoring System". Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental Systems. SAE Technical Paper Series. Colorado Springs, CO: SAE International. 1. doi:10.4271/2004-01-2268. 2004-01-2268.
  12. ↑ Maleki Thoresen, Souzan; George Steiner; John Granahan (2009). "International Space Station (ISS) Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) On-Orbit Performance". SAE International Journal of Aerospace. 1 (1): 33–39. doi:10.4271/2008-01-1971.
  13. ↑ Burchfield, David E.; William Niu; George Steiner (2009). "The Orion Air Monitor; an Optimized Analyzer for Environmental Control and Life Support". SAE International Journal of Aerospace. 1 (1): 201–206. doi:10.4271/2008-01-2046.
  14. ↑ "Mass Spectrometer Can Detect Weapons of Mass Destruction". Oak Ridge National Laboratory Review. 33 (3). 2000.
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