A process for ionizing a liquid can comprising flowing the liquid through
a capillary wire bonding tip and applying sufficient voltage to
electrospray the liquid sample as it exits therefrom. The electrospray
ionization process can further involve passing a liquid sample through an
axially disposed aperture in a ceramic capillary wire bonding tip in
which the terminus of the aperture flares into a bell-shape where the
liquid sample exits therefrom. An add-on device can include gel
electroelution and separating devices, and a ceramic capillary sample
injection tip for carrying out the aforesaid electrospray ionization
process. An adjustably mounted cartridge can also be provided with the
add-on device for interchangeably receiving the ceramic capillary sample
injection tip.