SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal describes Phase I of a research and development program to develop and commercialize a compact, affordable Particulate Matter on-line, Real-time, Physical and Chemical Characterization and Monitoring System (PMCMS), that will quickly and accurately analyze the chemical constituents and size distribution of particulate emissions from Air Force Operations. The PMCMS will provide size related chemical speciation for all particulates within the size range 0.003 - 30 microns with a 1Hz sample rate, a particulate sensitivity of 0.1 particle/cc for particle diameters > 0.003 micron, and a chemical sensitivity >ppb. The spacial resolution is 3 dimensional and >0.02m. The proposed objectives for Phase I are: the laboratory-based coupling of a mass-spectrometric chemical composition function to a state of the art particulate characterization system; the performance assessment of the laboratory-based PMCMS with respect to sample rate. Specificity, spacial resolution and sensitivity; a comparison of the laboratory-based system with data gathered by current practices; the development of a conceptual design of a field deployable commercialized version of the PMCMS; a field demonstration with an engineering model and the presentation of a technical report describing the Phase I activities and including plans for continued experimental development in Phase II.

This proposal describes Phase II of a program to develop and commercialize a compact, affordable Particulate Matter on-line, real-time physical and chemical Characterization and Monitoring System (PMCMS). The PMCMS concept is based on the coupling of particle sizing methodologies with ultra-trace chemical detection. The PMCMS concept is based on the coupling of particle sizing methodologies with ultra-trace chemical detection. The PMCMS will provide size related chemical speciation, both elemental and molecular for all particulates within the size range 0.003 to 30 um (diameter) with a 1 Hertz sample rate, particulate sensitivity of 0.1 particle cm-3, a chemical sensitivity > 100 ppt. and spacial resolution of + 0.1 cm about the extractive sample plane. A total of three PMCMS prototypes will be designed, built and evaluated during the proposed Phase II effort. The primary technical objectives of the Phase II effort are: (a) -> to develop and complete the final designs for: particle physical characterization sub-systems (PPC), mass spectrometer sub-systems (MS), sub-systems interface (hardware), and software for all three prototypes; (b) -> to construct, test and evaluate all three prototypes. Prototype (I) will be built as the deliverable to the Air Force and will have the full chemical speciation capability. Prototypes (II) and (III) will be built for our independent investors, NASA and the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Benefits:
The PMCMS meets the SBIR requirements defined in AF98-005 and will address all associated Air Force needs for PM monitoring with chemical speciation. The PMCMS has an excellent commercialization potential. Its broad spectrum monitoring capability make it a valuable tool, not only for its Air Force specific applications but also for the DoD in general, other arms of the Federal Government (NASA, EPA, FAA, DOE, etc.) and wide range of industries where PM emissions need to be monitored. Furthermore, its on-line, real-time monitoring capabilities not only have applications in environmental monitoring but also in process control where particles are employed in manufacturing, in the dispensing of pharmaceuticals through aerosol inhalation, and as a powerful diagnostic tool for scenarios where ablation of components is critical, e.g. the aircraft engines. The multi-faceted nature of the PMCMS allow for a wide range of affordable configurations that can be tailored to a specific customers needs.