Hand-Held Miniature Chemical Analysis System (μChemlab) for Detection of Trace Concentrations of Gas Phase Analytes

Frye-Mason, Gregory C.; Kottenstette, Rich; Lewis, Patrick R.; Heller, Ed; Manginell, Ron; Adkins, Doug; Dulleck, George; Martinez, Dave; Sasaki, Darryl Y.; Mowry, Curt; Matzke, Carolyn M.; Anderson, Larry B.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-2264-3_53

Cited by 40 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Figure 1 shows a schematic of the system concept, which has been documented and described elsewhere [9,10]. Briefly, the system draws air across a preconcentrator membrane which collects the sample into a selective sorbent material.…”

Section: µChemlabmentioning

confidence: 99%

Miniature Sensors for Biological Warfare Agents using Fatty Acid Profiles: LDRD 10775 Final Report

Mowry¹,

Morgan²,

Frye-Mason³

et al. 2003

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Rapid detection and identification of bacteria and other pathogens is important for many civilian and military applications. The taxonomic significance, or the ability to differentiate one microorganism from another, using fatty acid content and distribution is well known. For analysis fatty acids are usually converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Bench-top methods are commercially available and recent publications have demonstrated that FAMEs can be obtained from whole bacterial cells in an in situ single-step pyrolysis/methylation analysis.This report documents the progress made during a three year Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program funded to investigate the use of microfabricated components (developed for other sensing applications) for the rapid identification of bioorganisms based upon pyrolysis and FAME analysis. Components investigated include a micropyrolyzer, a microGC, and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) array detector. Results demonstrate that the micropyrolyzer can pyrolyze whole cell bacteria samples using only milliwatts of power to produce FAMEs from bacterial samples. The microGC is shown to separate FAMEs of biological interest, and the SAW array is shown to detect volatile FAMEs. Results for each component and their capabilities and limitations are presented and discussed. This project has produced the first published work showing successful pyrolysis/methylation of fatty acids and related analytes using a microfabricated pyrolysis device. 4 AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to acknowledge the team that provided this project with components, without their work this LDRD would not have existed:

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Section: µChemlabmentioning

confidence: 99%

Miniature Sensors for Biological Warfare Agents using Fatty Acid Profiles: LDRD 10775 Final Report

Mowry¹,

Morgan²,

Frye-Mason³

et al. 2003

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“…The model consisted of a GC sized silicon die, a glass lid bonded to the die, and the Pyrex gas inlets which elevate the system above the circuit board. This setup was identical to that used in the Microchemlab system [20]. A uniform heat load of 35.36 mW/mm 2 was added to the back of the microGC die, which is the energy associated with catalytic combustion of propane, and appropriate boundary conditions were included from thermistor readings taken during experimental microGC heating.…”

Section: Ansys Finite Element Thermal Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Microcombustor for Sensor and Thermal Energy Management Applications in Microsystems

Manginell¹,

Moorman²,

Colburn³

et al. 2003

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The microcombustor described in this report was developed primarily for thermal management in microsystems and as a platform for micro-scale flame ionization detectors (microFID). The microcombustor consists of a thin-film heater/thermal sensor patterned on a thin insulating membrane that is suspended from its edges over a silicon frame. This micromachined design has very low heat capacity and thermal conductivity and is an ideal platform for heating catalytic materials placed on its surface. Catalysts play an important role in this design since they provide a convenient surface-based method for flame ignition and stabilization. The free-standing platform used in the microcombustor mitigates large heat losses arising from large surface-to-volume ratios typical of the microdomain, and, together with the insulating platform, permit combustion on the microscale. Surface oxidation, flame ignition and flame stabilization have been demonstrated with this design for hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels premixed with air. Unoptimized heat densities of 38 mW/mm 2 have been achieved for the purpose of heating microsystems. Importantly, the microcombustor design expands the limits of flammability (LoF) as compared with conventional diffusion flames; an unoptimized LoF of 1-32% for natural gas in air was demonstrated with the microcombustor, whereas conventionally 4-16% observed. The LoF for hydrogen, methane, propane and ethane are likewise expanded. This feature will permit the use of this technology in many portable applications were reduced temperatures, lean fuel/air mixes or low gas flows are required. By coupling miniature electrodes and an electrometer circuit with the microcombustor, the first ever demonstration of a microFID utilizing premixed fuel and a catalytically-stabilized flame has been performed; the detection of ~1-3% of ethane in hydrogen/air is shown. This report describes work done to develop the microcombustor for microsystem heating and flame ionization detection and includes a description of modeling and simulation performed to understand the basic operation of this device. Ancillary research on the use of the microcombustor in calorimetric gas sensing is also described where appropriate 4

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“…The µChemLab [1][2][3] consists of a miniature gas chromatographic system that uses microfabricated components to sample, separate and detect airborne chemicals. These components are shown in Figure 1 and include a microfabricated preconcentrator (PC), a chip-based gas chromatographic (GC) column and an array of small surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices for detection.…”

Section: Description Of the µChemlabmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deployment of a Continuously Operated {mu}ChemLab

Adkins¹,

Kottenstette²,

Lewis³

et al. 2003

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A continuously operating prototype chemical weapons sensor system based on the µChemLab technology was installed in the San Francisco International Airport in late June 2002. This prototype was assembled in a National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA) enclosure and controlled by a personal computer collocated with it. Data from the prototype was downloaded regularly and periodic calibration tests were performed through modem-operated control. The instrument was installed just downstream of the return air fans in the return air plenum of a high-use area of a boarding area. A CW Sentry, manufactured by Microsensor Systems, was installed alongside the µChemLab unit and results from its operation are reported elsewhere. Tests began on June 26, 2002 and concluded on October 16, 2002. This report will discuss the performance of the prototype during the continuous testing period. Over 70,000 test cycles were performed during this period. Data from this first field emplacement have indicated several areas where engineering improvements can be made for future field emplacement.

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Hand-Held Miniature Chemical Analysis System (μChemlab) for Detection of Trace Concentrations of Gas Phase Analytes

Cited by 40 publications

References 2 publications

Miniature Sensors for Biological Warfare Agents using Fatty Acid Profiles: LDRD 10775 Final Report

Miniature Sensors for Biological Warfare Agents using Fatty Acid Profiles: LDRD 10775 Final Report

A Novel Microcombustor for Sensor and Thermal Energy Management Applications in Microsystems

Deployment of a Continuously Operated {mu}ChemLab

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