No abstract

The current computing power and network capabilities of handheld smart devices is helping to drive the development of new sensors, enabling the Internet of things. A chip-based mass spectrometer technology promises to offer a smart-device autonomous microsystem chemical analysis capability for sample determination and process monitoring for multiple applications in a small low-power instrument package. This project focuses on the development of cylindrical ion trap (CIT) mass analyzer chips fabricated using three-dimensional (3-D) additive manufacturing (AM) and planar low temperature cofired ceramic thick film processes for a chip-based mass spectrometer microsystem. The CIT is a mass analyzer composed of planar electrodes and operates by trapping and ejecting sample ions based on their mass in a radiofrequency field. Because of its simplicity, CITs may be easily miniaturized and connected in tandem to achieve multiplexing. AM materials and methods enable enhanced trap miniaturization through micromachining and electrode patterning methods, fast and cost-effective prototyping, batch fabrication, and material formulation flexibility. The current design incorporates three parallel ceramic plate metalized electrodes making up a singular trap geometry in a 10-mm2 ceramic chip, forming a mass analyzer of reduced size, mass, and power, with enhanced material robustness for extended range use and in harsh environments. Unique processes have been developed to produce these devices which include conformal metallization layers, adhesion layers, ceramic paste formulations, sacrificial supporting materials, and cofiring methods. Additionally, 3-D printing brings a unique design and fabrication capability enabling novel structures, material blending, and heterogeneous integration. With true digital control, the designs are easily scalable and shape agnostic.

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees defines threshold of identification as the minimum concentration of ignitable liquid identifiable from gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometry data using accepted pattern identification criteria. We propose a method for determining this threshold for gasoline based on base peak to qualifier ratios of six compounds. The ion ratios were established for each compound in the neat gasoline. These ratios were then compared to those obtained for gasoline and 98% weathered gasoline both spiked onto burnt nylon carpet at 20 ppt down 0.50 ppt, and recovered from the carpet using headspace extraction (ASTM 1412). Identification was confirmed if the compounds’ ion ratios fell within ±25% of that in the neat sample. We found that ion ratios for all samples were acceptable for six compounds at 1.60 and 0.80 ppt for extracted neat and extracted 98% weathered gasoline, respectively, illustrating potential for incorporating into Quality Assurance Programs.

A chip based mass spectrometer technology promises to offer smart-device autonomous microsystem chemical analysis capability for sample determination and process monitoring for multiple applications in a small low power instrument package. This project focuses on the development of cylindrical ion trap mass analyzer chips fabricated using 3D Additive Manufacturing and planar Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic thick film processes toward the realization of a chip based mass spectrometer microsystem. The cylindrical ion trap (CIT) is a mass analyzer comprised of planar electrodes and operates by trapping and ejecting sample ions based on their mass in an RF field. Because of its simplicity CITs may be easily miniaturized and connected in tandem to achieve multiplexing. Additive manufacturing materials and methods enable enhanced trap miniaturization through micro machining and electrode patterning methods, fast and cost effective prototyping, batch fabrication, and material formulation flexibility. The current design incorporates three parallel ceramic plate metalized electrodes making up a singular trap geometry in a 10mm2 ceramic chip, forming a mass analyzer of reduced size, mass, and power, with enhanced material robustness for extended range use and in harsh environments. Unique processes have been developed to produce these devices which include conformal metallization layers, adhesion layers, ceramic paste formulations, sacrificial supporting materials, and co-firing methods. Additionally, 3D printing brings a unique design and fabrication capability enabling novel structures, material blending and heterogeneous integration. With true digital control, the designs are easily scalable and shape agnostic.