SBIR Phase I: Vapor Generator for the Calibration of Explosive Trace Detectors

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目旨在设计和建造一个数字控制的蒸汽发生器，该发生器将能够现场校准爆炸物的蒸汽痕迹探测器。技术风险要素涉及在数字控制下将稀释的爆炸物混合物精确地输送到受热表面，将其转化为蒸汽，然后将蒸汽羽流输送到示踪爆炸物探测器进行测试或校准。其他技术问题涉及蒸汽发生器的精度、重复性和仪器可靠性。工程问题涉及基于一次性墨盒方法的手持原型的设计和制造。手持式Vaporjet校准仪器将包括具有用户友好的计算机界面的标准测试协议。预计在第一阶段，手持设备将用现有的痕迹探测器系统进行测试和表征。今天，现场部署了数以万计的蒸汽示踪探测器系统。它们由伊拉克、阿富汗和其他地方的军事人员运营；它们由政府特工在全球各地的机场、地铁系统、港口、大使馆、领事馆和公共设施运营；它们由私营企业运营，以保护其客户、员工和设施。所有这些系统都必须定期进行校准和验证。这一需要需要针对痕量和离地检测方法以及蒸汽采样校准方法的标准测试协议。销售将来自在现场、生产线上校准探测器，以及向研发机构销售传感器开发。最终，实时Vaporjet校准单元可以被设计成下一代传感器系统，以确保一致的精度。社会效益包括改进对爆炸物和其他化学威胁的痕量检测。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aimes to design and build a digitally-controlled vapor generator that will enable field calibration of vapor trace detectors for explosives. The technology risk-elements concern precisely delivering, under digital control, a dilute explosive mixture to a heated surface, converting it to a vapor and then delivering the vapor plume to a trace explosive detector to be tested or calibrated. Other technology issues relate to vapor generator precision, repeatability, and instrument reliability. Engineering issues concern the design and fabrication of a handheld prototype based upon a disposable cartridge approach. The handheld vaporjet calibration instrument will include standard test protocols with a user-friendly computer interface. It is anticipated that, during Phase I, the handheld unit will be tested and characterized with existing trace detector systems. There are tens of thousands of vapor trace detector systems deployed in the field today. They are operated by military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere; they are operated by government agents in airports, sub-way system, ports, embassies, consulates and public facilities across the globe; they are operated by private industry to protect their customers, employees and facilities. All these systems must be calibrated and verified on a regular basis. This need requires standard testing protocols for trace and stand-off detection methods and vapor sampling calibration methods. Sales will come from the calibration of detectors in the field, on manufacturing lines, and sales to R&D institutions for sensor development. Ultimately, real-time vaporjet calibration units could be designed into next generation sensor systems to insure consistent accuracy. Societal benefits include improved trace detection of explosives and other chemical threats.