Mass spectrometry is a method used to analyse various substances. However, the devices used for this purpose are rather large and cumbersome. AmbiProbe is developing mass spectrometers with the aim to make the technology more mobile. In the future they could be used e.g. at airports to detect harmful substances, in the agricultural sector to spot fungal infections in individual grains and in operating theatres to identify tumors, even while an operation is in progress. For this task robust systems are needed. They must be able to analyse untreated samples that have not been prepared specifically for laboratory investigations. New strategies in chemical analysis methods and previously unexplored technological concepts will bring an unprecedented degree of mobility and immediacy, and will deliver outstanding levels of analytical significance and universality. The results achieved in the LOEWE research cluster are being worked on further in various follow-up Projects.