Aerosol Ionization Mass Spectrometer

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. (HFR) proposes to continue development of an Aerosol Ionization Mass Spectrometer (AIMS), which began in Phase I of this project. The AIMS device will probe single aerosol particles and condensed phase material using laser ionization. AIMS will then use mass spectrometry and machine learning algorithms to search for evidence of pathogens in the ionized material. In Phase II HFR will design, build, and test in a relevant environment an AIMS prototype in preparation for the next product development stage.