Autonomous Solid-Phase Microextraction for Explosives Detection and Identification

"The overall goal (Phase I and II) of this project is to develop an autonomous sampling and chemical analysis system that can be used for detecting trace concentrations of explosives in marine environments. Such an analysis system can be integrated into asmall autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and used for the detection and identification of unexploded ordnance in bodies of water. Phase I involved the design and fabrication of a prototype pre-concentration sampling instrument based on solid-phasemicroextraction (SPME). The design that was developed utilizes miniaturized components to achieve a compact, rugged sampling system that can be easily integrated into AUVs. In Phase II we will refine this design to a more compact, tightly integratedpreconcentrator, and develop an interface with an ion mobility spectrometer with capability for automated remote operation. Enhancement tasks are provided to integrate the preconcentrator/IMS into a REMUS UAV, and also to conduct initial field tests atWoods Hole. A Phase II/III bridge task provides fabrication and delivery to the Navy of a second generation preconcentrator/IMS instrument, including manuals and on-site training.BENEFITS: An underwater explosive analysis system will be particularlyadvantageous to the Navy because it will provide advanced warning to naval vessels of the presence of mines in the surrounding area, and also capabilities of tracing sources of UXO environmental contamina