This technology can be used to optimize the CV with the following advantages over conventional methods: 1) no need to use biological samples, 2) fewer materials are consumed in the process, 3) improved CV and thus more reproducible results, 4) fewer man hours required to find ideal machine settings, and 5) potential full-automation of the process of optimizing CV. This idea is beneficial to all scientists and clinicians that use MALDI/SELDI for biomarker discovery and clinical diagnostics. Further, manufacturers of MALDI/SELDI mass spectrometer devices would find incorporation of this technology quite beneficial.