This award is funded by the Major Research Instrumentation Program and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Programs to acquire a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) – tandem Time-of-Flight (ToF) mass spectrometer (MALDI-ToF/ToF MS) to enhance the research of investigators at seven different departments and centers at the University of Maine (UMaine) as well as at other Maine institutions. Macromolecules, such as polymers, peptides, proteins, and oligosaccharides, are one of the most widespread classes of materials, with important technological applications in biomedicine, chip manufacturing, energy, advanced manufacturing, and more. One of the key analytical techniques used to study macromolecular systems is mass spectrometry, in which the macromolecules are ionized, and their masses are very accurately measured. This method enables the researchers to understand the molecular composition, structure, and abundance of both biological and synthetic macromolecules. The state-of-the-art instrument is used mainly in mentored student research; it can be used also in courses to prepare and train students as the next generation of researchers and innovators. The proposed MALDI-ToF/ToF MS uses soft-ionization and is highly suitable for analyzing sensitive analytes and large labile macromolecules. In this method the analyte is dispersed in a low molecular weight organic matrix and the resulting mixture is ionized by irradiation with a pulsed laser, leading to a ra