Hybrid preconcentrator/focuser module for determinations of explosive marker compounds with a micro-scale gas chromatograph

Serrano, Gustavo; Sukaew, Thitiporn; Zellers, Edward T.

doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2013.01.009

Cited by 39 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…A Si lid (33 × 10 × 0.5 mm) was also fabricated with a linear, recessed DRIE channel, 150 μm deep × 350 μm wide, running lengthwise down the center to align directly above the sensors in the array. The linearity of the interconnection with external capillaries was an improvement over previous μCR array configurations 47,51 . The array was plugged into a socket on a carrier PCB, and the entire assembly was covered with a grounded Cu Faraday cage.…”

Section: μCr Arraymentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Members of our group have reported on a number of μGC and μGC × μGC components and systems in recent years [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] . We have also developed automated prototype instruments containing μGC systems for measuring low-to sub-ppb concentrations of trichloroethylene (TCE) in vapor-intrusion impacted homes 51,52 , and markers of explosives for transportation security 53,54 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Compact prototype microfabricated gas chromatographic analyzer for autonomous determinations of VOC mixtures at typical workplace concentrations

et al. 2018

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This report concerns a benchtop prototype instrument containing a gas chromatographic microanalytical system (μGC) designed for the selective determination of multiple airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations in the vicinity of recommended occupational exposure limits. The core microsystem consists of a set of discrete Si-microfabricated devices: a dualcavity, adsorbent-packed micro-preconcentrator-focuser (μPCF) chip that quantitatively captures and thermally desorbs/injects VOCs with vapor pressures between~0.03 and 13 kPa; tandem micro-column (μcolumn) chips with cross-linked PDMS wall-coated stationary phases capable of temperature-programmed separations; and an integrated array of five μchemiresistors (μCR) coated with different thiolate-monolayer protected gold nanoparticle (MPN) interface films that quantifies and further differentiates among the analytes by virtue of the response patterns generated. Other key components include a pre-trap for low-volatility interferences, a split-flow injection valve, and an onboard He carrier-gas canister. The assembled unit measures 19 × 30 × 14 cm, weighs~3.5 kg, operates on AC power, and is laptop/LabVIEW controlled. Component-and system-level tests of performance demonstrated injection bandwidths o1 s, a μcolumn capacity of ≥ 8 μg injected mass, linear calibration curves, no humidity effects, excellent medium-term (that is, 1 week) reproducibility, autonomous operation for 8 h, detection limits below Threshold Limit Values (TLV) for 10 mL air samples collected in 1 min, and response patterns that enhanced vapor recognition. The determination of a 17-VOC mixture in the presence of seven interferences was performed in 4 min. Results augur well for adapting the microsystem to an all-MEMS wearable μGC currently under parallel development.

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Section: μCr Arraymentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compact prototype microfabricated gas chromatographic analyzer for autonomous determinations of VOC mixtures at typical workplace concentrations

et al. 2018

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“…These have been successfully developed for highly-sensitive Surface Acoustic Wave sensors for hazardous targets including nerve agents and radionuclides (Grate, 2008), and for HPLC columns applied to environmental monitoring (Egorov et al, 2006;Grate et al, 2007). These polymers effectively act as a "magnet" for the explosives, whereby the nitroaromatic compound adsorbs to the surface, and the application of heat leads to thermal desorption (Camara et al, 2014;Martin et al, 2007;Serrano et al, 2013;Tiwary et al, 2016;Voiculescu et al, 2006), as shown in Figure 2. The specially designed materials studied in the literature for this purpose are usually expensive (approx.…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preconcentration techniques for trace explosive sensing

Gillanders

Glackin

Filipi

et al. 2019

Science of The Total Environment

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Trace sensing of explosive vapours is a method in humanitarian demining and Improvised Explosives Device (IED) detection that has received increasing attention recently, since accurate, fast, and reliable chemical detection is highly important for threat identification.However, trace molecule sampling in the field can be extremely difficult due to factors including weather, locale, and very low vapour pressure of the explosive. Preconcentration of target molecules onto a substrate can provide a method to collect higher amounts of analyte for analysis. We used the commercial fluoropolymer Aflas as a preconcentrator material to sorb explosive molecules to the surface, allowing subsequent detection of the explosives via the luminescence quenching response from the organic polymer Super ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTHighlights  Trace detection of explosive vapours is challenging in real-world environments. By "preconcentrating" trace vapours onto solid substrates, higher amounts can be collected for detection. Our approach combines fluoropolymer preconcentrators, free-flying honeybees for sampling, and luminescent thin films as the sensing mechanism. The inexpensive, commercially-available fluoropolymer Aflas has shown good preconcentration abilities for 2,4-DNT which is typically found in landmines. Laboratory results and initial field results indicate this method is a very promising tool for the detection of trace explosive vapours in contaminated land.

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“…Besides the optimization of the adsorption-desorption parameters, the performance of the preconcentrator relies also on an optimum choice of the adsorbent material. This choice depends on the type of application and the nature of the gases to be detected [3,4]. In the case of explosives detection, we are dealing with compounds having very low vapor pressures and concomitantly high adhesion energies which require high desorption temperatures and thus large power consumption.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEMS-based Porous Silicon Preconcentrators Filled with Carbopack-B for Explosives Detection

Camara

James

Breuil

et al. 2014

Procedia Engineering

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Hybrid preconcentrator/focuser module for determinations of explosive marker compounds with a micro-scale gas chromatograph

Cited by 39 publications

References 36 publications

Compact prototype microfabricated gas chromatographic analyzer for autonomous determinations of VOC mixtures at typical workplace concentrations

Compact prototype microfabricated gas chromatographic analyzer for autonomous determinations of VOC mixtures at typical workplace concentrations

Preconcentration techniques for trace explosive sensing

MEMS-based Porous Silicon Preconcentrators Filled with Carbopack-B for Explosives Detection

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