Researcher: Dr Chris Mayhew
Research Institution: University of Birmingham
Overview:
The University of Birmingham is seeking industry partners to support the development of cost-efficient mass spectrometers and inclusion of user-friendly feedback to security personnel.
Product:
• An enhanced soft chemical ionisation mass spectrometric (SCIMS) technique has been developed for rapid high confidence detection of trace explosive compounds (sub ng) with minimal memory effects; and
• The combination of rapid reagent ion switching with rapid changes in operational parameters, for example drift tube voltage, provide a viable way forward in the development of SCIMS instrumentation suitable for explosive detection with practically no ambiguity in assignment.
Market:
• Most relevant to military and security markets.
Benefits:
• Broad based technology capable of detecting practically any threat agent with high sensitivity, selectivity and with a fast cycle time; and
• Threat compound are detected within seconds with a high level of confidence thereby considerably reducing the chances of false alarms.
Partners:
Industry partners are sought to support the development of cost-efficient mass spectrometers and inclusion of user-friendly feedback to security personnel. This would result in a rapid and field effective SCIMS technology that can provide high selectivity and hence a much higher level of confidence for the real-time and rapid analytical detection of explosives than is currently available.
Contact Details:
Email Dr Chris Mayhew at c.mayhew@bham.ac.uk
