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

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目旨在使用数字控制蒸汽发生器校准和测试炸药。将建立两个系统：一个面向研究的系统，目标是制造商，用于开发新的爆炸性蒸气痕迹探测器和生产质量控制；一个便携式系统，面向最终用户，用于现场测试和校准。使用数字控制喷墨点胶精确喷出微量的稀释爆炸性溶液，并将其转化为蒸汽已被证明。我们还确定了不同的汽迹检测器模型和市场的实际需求的独特要求。本项目将：设计和制造两个系统；生成软件控制程序；为商用炸药蒸气痕量探测器制定定制的炸药溶液；为每个系统制定测试协议；用商用汽迹探测器评估系统；并进行可靠性和可重复性测试。所进行的研究还将包括：材料相容性研究；流动模拟和测量各种爆炸性气体的分布墨盒的保质期研究；以及开发校准爆炸性溶液药筒的方法。这项技术更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是评估下一代探测器发展的一种方法。该项目将导致产品（蒸汽发生器系统和相关耗材）。这些产品将提供比较各种爆炸物痕量探测器和确定最准确的手段。最终，进一步小型化蒸汽发生器的能力将使其嵌入到下一代探测器中，用于实时验证和校准。成功开发蒸汽发生器产品的整体社会效益将改善对公众的保护，包括真实的和感知的恐怖主义威胁，同时最大限度地减少与假警报相关的成本和负面看法。该项目的技术进步将促进对爆炸物、毒品和化学威胁的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途的检测方法的改进。这项技术在基于嗅觉的医疗诊断方面也有衍生机会。

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.