Micro-burner Based Flame Ionization Detectors for Micro-scale Gas Chromatographs

Micro-Gas Chromatographs (micro-GC) have the potential of providing a fieldable device that could 1) identify chemical threats in a battlefield, 2) provide assessment of warfighter health status, chemical exposure, stress level, and hydration, but we need better detectors if this potential is to become a reality. The objective of the proposed work to develop a micro-flame ionization detector (micro-FID) with critical dimensions below 1 millimeter that has enough sensitivity to be used in conjunction with a micro-GC for chemical threat identification and warfighter health assessment. In the proposed work we will select the most promising approaches for integration with a MEMS-based GC system, build a prototype device, and demonstrate the detection of eight battlefield-relevant fuel surrogates, simulants, and interferents with the micro-FID.