Open port interface having hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties

A method of detecting a liquid overflow condition from a downward-facing open port interface (OPI), the method comprising:

• providing the OPI comprising an outer housing, an interior volume, and a sample inlet tip defining a sample inlet port communicatively coupled to the interior volume;
• providing a sensor plate defining an opening, wherein at least a portion of the outer housing is at least partially within the opening, wherein the sensor plate comprises a transport liquid sensor disposed on an upper surface of the sensor plate, and wherein the sample inlet port of the OPI is disposed below the upper surface;
• delivering a transport liquid to the interior volume of the OPI;
• and
• sending a signal from the transport liquid sensor upon contact between the transport liquid sensor and the transport liquid.

A mass analysis system comprising:

• (a) a sensor plate comprising:
• an upper surface;
• a lower surface, wherein the sensor plate defines an opening from the upper surface to the lower surface;
• and
• a transport liquid sensor disposed adjacent the opening on the upper surface of the sensor plate;
• (b) a sample introduction system disposed below the lower surface;
• (c) a transport liquid pump;
• and
• (d) an open port interface comprising:
• an outer housing defining:
• an interior volume;
• and
• a transport liquid port communicatively coupled to the interior volume and configured to be fluidically coupled to the transport liquid pump;
• a removal conduit disposed within the outer housing and fluidically coupled to the interior volume for removing a transport liquid from the interior volume;
• and
• a sample inlet tip removably coupled to the outer housing, wherein the sample inlet tip defines a sample inlet port configured to receive a sample and communicatively coupled to the interior volume, wherein the sample inlet port is disposed below the upper surface, wherein at least a portion of the sample inlet tip proximate the sample inlet port comprises a tip surface having a hydrophilicity different than a hydrophilicity of the outer housing, and wherein the transport liquid sensor contacts an exit volume of the transport liquid that exits the outer housing via the sample inlet port.