Interfacing low-flow separation techniques

1. A method comprising:

providing a capillary column comprising a terminus and an exterior surface; and

creating a plurality of pores in the exterior surface of the capillary column to form a porous segment at the terminus of the capillary column.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface comprises a coating, and further comprising removing at least a portion of the coating prior to creating the plurality of pores in the exterior surface.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein removing at least a portion of the coating on the exterior surface comprises exposing at least a portion of the exterior surface to a solution of acid or heat.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the coating comprises polyimide.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein creating a plurality of pores in the exterior surface comprises exposing the exterior surface to at least one selected from the group consisting of a solution of acid, a solution of base, and a mechanical tool.

6. A capillary column comprising:

a terminus and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface at the terminus of the capillary column comprises a plurality of pores so as to form a porous segment.

7. The capillary column of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface comprises a polymer coating.

8. The capillary column of claim 7 , wherein the portion of the exterior surface that comprises a polymer coating is not at the terminus.

9. The capillary column of claim 6 , further comprising a conductive solution.

10. The capillary column of claim 6 , further comprising a conductive solution, wherein the conductive solution comprises one or more cationic polymers.

11. The capillary column of claim 6 , further comprising a conductive solution, wherein the conductive solution comprises polybrene or polyE 323 or both.

12. A system comprising:

a capillary column comprising a terminus and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface at the terminus of the capillary column comprises a plurality of pores so as to form a porous segment; and

one or more instruments selected from the group consisting of an electrophoresis instrument, a high performance liquid chromatography instrument, and a mass spectrometry instrument, wherein the porous segment serves as an interface between the capillary column and the instrument.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the capillary column further comprises a conductive solution.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the instrument is an electrophoresis instrument.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the instrument is a high performance liquid chromatography instrument.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the instrument is a mass spectrometry instrument.

17. A method comprising:

providing a capillary column comprising a terminus and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface at the terminus of the capillary column comprises a plurality of pores so as to form a porous segment;

providing a mass spectrometer in operable relation to the capillary column;

interfacing the mass spectrometer with at least a portion of the porous segment at the terminus of the capillary column;

injecting a mixture containing a chemical or biological sample into the capillary column;

transporting at least a portion of the mixture to the mass spectrometer; and

analyzing the portion with the mass spectrometer to identify the composition of the chemical or biological sample in the portion.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

preconditioning the capillary column with a buffer solution prior to injecting the mixture.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

providing a metal sheath;

inserting the capillary column comprising the porous segment into the metal sheath or a container containing conductive solution to which voltage is applied prior to interfacing the mass spectrometer with at least a portion of the porous segment; and

filling the metal sheath with a conductive solution.

20. A method comprising:

providing a capillary electrophoresis eluent disposed within a capillary column comprising a terminus and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface at the terminus of the capillary column comprises a plurality of pores so as to form a porous segment;

grounding the capillary column through at least a portion of the porous segment; and

depositing the capillary electrophoresis eluent onto a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization plate.