Field Chemical Analysis Tool

Emission spectroscopy based microdischarge sensors will be adapted to a gas chromatography system for the rapid detection of chemical agents in the field. These systems will be tested to determine optimum column length for seperation and integration time.Microdischarge detectors are rapid, real-time sensors, capable of sub-parts per billion detection of a wide range of atomic and molecular species. They are ideal as gas chromatography detectors due to their small size and low flow requirements, a potetialshortcoming of other available technologies. Additionally, these detectors provide a wealth of spectroscopic data, providing for accurate determination of chemicals present in air, with little chance of false alarms. The entire detection system will beself contained, battery operated, and robust enough for field deployment in its final form. Portable chemical analysis in a hand-held, rugged package will provide a safe effective source of chemical agent detection for protection of the warfighter. Aportable, hand held, hazardous chemical sensor will also be applicable for hazmat and fire department use, as well as for the screening of mail, luggage, and security monitoring of buildings. Additionally, the technology developed with this project willbe applicable to any situation where size and portability requrements are placed on a chemical analysis tool, suchas in environmental survey applications.