Feasibility Study of a Portable and Cost-Effective Paper-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PSI-MS) System for Field Deployment Tailored to Air Force Applications

Lancet Analytics LLC proposes a feasibility study to investigate the development and implementation of a portable, cost-effective, and rapid method for the detection and analysis of various toxins in field environments using a Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PSI-MS) technique. Our study will focus on leveraging the inherent advantages of PSI-MS, including its ability to utilize low-cost paper substrates as disposable ionization sources without the need for the handling of compressed gases in field deployable mass spectroscopy systems. By simply introducing solvent and applying a precisely controlled high voltage to a paper substrate in a safely sealed atmospheric chamber, ion generation from surface-bound samples can be achieved through an Electrospray Ionization (ESI)-like processes. This methodology not only minimizes cost, but it also offers extreme simplicity in setup and operation, making it highly suitable for field investigations by Air Force personnel that are not specially trained in Mass Spectrometry workflows or sample collection protocols. This study will address the limitations of current commercial off-the-shelf devices by designing and implementing a custom-built ion source tailored for PSI-MS applications contributing to the enhanced readiness and effectiveness of the Air Force in responding to various chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and High Explosives threats and hazards with the intention of a follow-on phase two proposal that will pair this ion source with a low-cost field deployable Time-of-Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrometer. Part of this study is to work with Air Force stakeholders to validate PSI-MS in the proposed defense applications. Lancet Analytics is licensing a patented method for analyzing a sample collected from a surface and an Aerosol collection method from the TechLink Defense / Army Portal to integrate into the proposed PSI-MS solution.