Waters' ionKey/MS System was ranked among the top analytical instrument innovations of 2014 by The Analytical Scientist magazine.

The product is the first integrates an UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) separation into a mass spectrometer producing a significant improvement in analytical sensitivity and usability. It is the first microfluidic device for microscale chromatography to receive Analytical Scientist Magazine Innovation Award.

Introduced at Pittcon 2014, ionKey/MS represents a new approach for achieving exceptional sensitivity, robustness and ease-of-use out of mass spectrometry for applications as far-ranging as bio-analyses, pharmacokinetic studies, and biomarker validation to food safety and environmental analyses.

Intended for use with the Waters Acquity UPLC M-Class System and its  mass spectrometers including the Xevo TQ-S Mass Spectrometer and SYNAPT G2-Si Mass Spectrometer, the ionKey/MS System physically integrates a UPLC separation into the mass spectrometer producing a significant improvement in sensitivity and usability, enabling scientists to achieve outstanding separations and compound detection.

“ionKey/MS is changing how the world thinks about LC/MS. With ionKey/MS, we are enabling any scientist to undertake the most sensitive LC/MS analyses, while eliminating many variables and simplifying the user experience,” said Dr. Ian King, vice president, Separations Technology, Waters Division.

“We are truly grateful to the readers of The Analytical Scientist magazine for their nomination and to the judges for singling out ionKey/MS for an innovation award,” he added.

The Analytical Scientist award winners enhance sample preparation, separation, identification, quantification, analysis, or a combination of these, and will contribute to progress in basic science and analysis that helps make our world safer and our diagnosis of disease more effective. Winning products were nominated by readers of the magazine and selected by a panel of expert judges.