Mass spectrometers provide unparalleled chemical detection and identification, specifically by use of high-resolution system or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Field portable mass spectrometers have been commercialized for decades and have led to the ability to detect chemicals of concern at the source. Unlike traditional mass spectrometry where sample preparation is required to get analytes into a form factor amenable for analysis, ambient ionization mass spectrometry has demonstrated proximate detection, with no sample preparation, if the test subject can be placed in front of the mass spectrometer inlet. A plethora of ambient ionization sources for drug, chemical warfare, explosive, and environmental detections of bulk objects in their original form factors with no sample preparation. Not every test subject however will fit in front of the mass spectrometer’s inlet, nor can the ionization source be positioned in such a way to accommodate the test subject. Other ionization sources such as swabs and contact transfer touch sprays have been developed to sample an area and bring the sample to the mass spectrometer. This requires a trained user and sampling error can often be the largest challenge in these samplings. Non-proximate methods, essentially changing the inlet of the mass spectrometer, have been developed and demonstrated. For example, sampling explosives and chemical warfare agents from ambient surfaces at distances of up to 3 meters from the mass spectrometer has been demonstrated [Ref 9]. However, this method was performed with a rigid inlet and while non-proximate distances were achieved, the flexibility of the sampling was limited, and it would be difficult to adapt to a robotic arm on a rover such as those used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). The objective of this STTR topic is to demonstrate a portable mass spectrometer that has a flexible inlet that could be brought to the test subject and manipulated by a robotic arm platform to collect chemical data at the source. The inlet and the subsequent ionization source combination must be ruggedized and manipulated by a robotic arm to move both to position for sampling. The mass spectrometer must provide remote red light / green light results to the operator from a standoff distance. It must be operational in varying levels of humidity, temperature, and ability to detect a wide array of chemicals.
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