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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目旨在使用数字控制的蒸汽发生器来校准和测试炸药。将创建两个系统：一个是面向制造商的研究型系统，用于开发新的爆炸物蒸气痕迹探测器和生产质量控制；另一个是供最终用户使用的便携式系统，用于现场测试和校准。已经证明，使用数字控制的喷墨点胶可以精确地喷射微量稀释的爆炸性溶液，并将其转化为蒸汽。我们还确定了不同的蒸汽痕迹探测器型号的独特需求和市场的实际需求。该项目将：设计和制造两个系统；生成软件控制程序；为商用爆炸物蒸汽痕迹探测器制定定制的爆炸物解决方案；为每个系统制定测试协议；评估具有商用蒸汽痕迹探测器的系统；以及进行可靠性和重复性测试。所进行的研究还将包括：材料兼容性研究；通过流动模拟和测量来分配各种爆炸物蒸气；子弹的保质期研究；以及制定校准炸药溶液的子弹的方法。这项技术的广泛影响/商业潜力将是评估下一代探测器发展的一种方法。该项目将产生产品(蒸汽发生器系统和相关消耗品)。这些产品将提供比较各种爆炸物痕迹探测器并确定最准确探测器的手段。最终，蒸汽发生器进一步小型化的能力将导致将单元嵌入下一代探测器中，用于实时验证和校准。成功开发蒸汽发生器产品的总体社会利益将是改善对公众的保护，无论是真实的还是感知的，免受恐怖主义威胁，同时将与错误警报相关的成本和负面看法降至最低。该项目的技术进步将促进爆炸物、毒品和化学威胁探测机制的基础研究。政府实验室和学术界的研究人员将能够使用蒸汽发生器来评估和量化有前景的检测方法的改进。这项技术在基于嗅觉的医疗诊断领域也有衍生机会。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to use digitally controlled vapor generators for calibration and test of explosive. Two systems will be created: a research oriented system, targeting manufacturers, for development of new explosive vapor trace detectors and production quality control and a portable system, intended for end users, for field testing and calibration. The use of digitally controlled ink-jet dispensing to precisely eject minute amounts of dilute explosive solutions and convert them into vapor has been demonstrated. We have also identified unique requirements of distinct vapor trace detector models and the actual needs of the marketplace. This project will: design and fabricate the two systems; generate the software control program; formulate explosive solutions customized for commercial explosive vapor trace detectors; develop test protocols for each system; evaluate the systems with commercial vapor trace detectors; and run reliability and repeatability testing. The research performed will also include: material compatibility studies; distribution of various explosive vapors by flow simulations and measurements; shelf life studies of the cartridges; and development of methods to calibrate the cartridges for explosive solutions. The broader impact/commercial potential from this technology will be a method to evaluate the development of the next generation detectors. This project will lead to products (vapor generator systems and associated consumables). These products will provide the means to compare the various explosive trace detectors and to identify the most accurate ones. Ultimately, the ability to further miniaturize the vapor generators will lead to units that are embedded into next generation detectors for real-time verification and calibration. The overall societal benefit of successfully developing vapor generator products will be improved protection of the public, both real and perceived, from terrorist threats while minimizing the cost and negative perception related to false alarms. Technological advances from this project will facilitate basic research on detection mechanisms for explosives, drugs and chemical threats. Researchers in government labs and academia will be able to use the vapor generator to evaluate and quantify improvements of promising detection methods. The technology also has spin-off opportunities in olfaction based medical diagnostics.