There is an urgent need to rapidly test warfighters and their surrounding environment for disease-causing pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Existing methods for identifying pathogens in people usually require significant time and sample preparation. In addition, detecting pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 in the air presents an even greater challenge. To meet the DoD need for field portable bioaerosol identification via mass spectrometry that can detect pathogens in the breath of warfighters and in the surrounding air, Hedgefog Research Inc. proposes to develop an Aerosol Ionization Mass Spectrometer (AIMS). The AIMS device will be a single aerosol particle mass spectrometer that will search for mass spectrometric evidence of pathogens on individual atmospheric aerosol particles. The AIMS device will also use the laser induced fluorescence from the aerosol particles to provide additional evidence for the presence of biomolecules. In Phase I HFR will demonstrate the feasibility of the AIMS technology. Additionally, in Phase I HFR will design a full-scale prototype for Phase II manufacture and testing.
