Design and Implementation of a Proof-of-Concept Robotic–Microfluidic Interface to Bridge Spatial Comprehensive Three-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry

A proof-of-concept system is presented for the hyphenation of spatial comprehensive three-dimensional liquid chromatography (3D-LC) to mass spectrometry (MS) detection via a robotic-microfluidic interface. A three-dimensional fractal microflow distributor, incorporating 16 parallel RP monolithic capillary columns arranged in a 4 × 4 configuration, was connected to an X-Y-Z robotic system. This setup facilitated the deposition of successive arrays of microdroplets onto an MS target plate. To minimize carryover during droplet deposition, a strategy was implemented in which the distance between the target plate and the capillary was gradually increased during the deposition process. System-level variation in travel time and subsequent flow rates across parallel columns was assessed and translated in retention alignment based on injection of a protein standard. The successful separation of intact proteins was demonstrated through a parallel 4 × 4 column configuration, applying MALDI-MS detection after microdroplet spotting on an MS target plate. Furthermore, the discussion encompasses high-throughput MS imaging detection within the framework of spatial 3D-LC.