AIR Option 1: Technology Translation: Prototyping a smart multi-dimensional micro-gas chromatography instrument with unprecedented peak capacity

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目专注于翻译智能多通道多维微气相色谱（MC-MD micro-GC）技术，以填补便携式和快速气相分析的空白。翻译后的智能MC-MD微气相色谱与市场上或实验室正在开发的传统一维微气相色谱或综合二维微气相色谱相比，具有以下明显的优势：(1)具有前所未有的峰值容量和峰值容量效率，同时保持便携性，这源于智能气相色谱设计提供的长时间高维分离；(2)可以很容易地扩展到更高维度的分离（如三维或四维微气相色谱）；(3)不需要在综合二维气相色谱系统中广泛使用的复杂热调制器，从而大大简化了气相色谱的设计、制造和功耗；(4)通过直接从安装在每个分离柱末端的蒸汽检测器读取每个分析物的保留时间，多维（不仅是二维，而且是高维）色谱图的构建变得简单明了；(5)检测限提高了3-10倍，因为整个分析物被送到下游色谱柱，而不是像传统的综合二维气相色谱那样只是其中的一小部分。该项目通过对功能齐全的1x2x4通道智能3- d微型气相色谱进行原型设计来实现这一目标，该项目将包括以下任务：(1)组装所有微型气相色谱组件，(2)开发相应的操作/分析算法，(3)使用100种蒸气分析物进行性能评估，(4)评估市场潜力和商业化可行性，以及(5)对本科生/研究生和博士后进行技术和创业培训。预计未来十年潜在的经济影响将达到数十亿美元，这将有助于美国在农业和食品工业，酿酒厂，环境监测/保护，医疗保健和国土安全/战场等领域的竞争力。更广泛的影响：智能3-D微气相色谱具有前所未有的峰值容量、操作简便、3-D色谱构建简单等特点，在环境监测、国土安全、战场、工业、医疗等领域具有广泛的应用前景。学生和博士后将接受严格的技术和创业培训和指导。此外，该团队将与密歇根大学的创业硕士项目密切合作，评估智能3-D微型气相色谱的市场机会和可行性。知识的传播将包括期刊出版物、会议报告、专利申请、公共研讨会，以及在底特律地区的科学/技术展览会上展示原型。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating smart multi-channel multi-dimensional micro-gas chromatography (MC-MD micro-GC) technology to fill portable and rapid vapor analysis gap. The translated smart MC-MD micro-GC has the following distinct advantages when compared with conventional 1-dimensional micro-GC or comprehensive 2-D micro-GC in the market or under development in labs. (1) It has unprecedented peak capacity and peak capacity efficiency while remaining portable, which arise from the long high-dimensional separation afforded by the smart GC design; (2) It can be scaled up to higher dimensional separation (such as 3-D or 4-D micro-GC) easily; (3) It does not require complicated thermal modulators widely used in comprehensive 2-D GC systems, thus substantially simplifying the GC design, fabrication, and power consumption; (4) Construction of the multi-dimensional (not only 2-D but also higher dimensional) chromatogram becomes straightforward by reading the retention time of each analyte directly from the vapor detector installed at the end of the each separation column; and (5) the detection limit is improved 3-10 fold, since the entire analyte is sent to the downstream column, rather than just a slice of it as in the conventional comprehensive 2-D GC. The project accomplishes this goal by prototyping a fully functional 1x2x4-channel smart 3-D micro-GC, which will include the following tasks: (1) assembly of all micro-GC components, (2) development of the corresponding operation/analysis algorithm, (3) performance evaluation using 100 vapor analytes, (4) assessment of market potential and commercialization feasibility, and (5) technical and entrepreneurial training of under/graduate students and post-doctors. The potential economic impact is expected to be a few billion US dollars in the next ten years which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in fields as diverse as agricultural and food industry, winery, environment monitoring/protection, healthcare, and homeland security/battlefield.Broader impact: Smart 3-D micro-GC has unprecedented peak capacity, easy operation, and simple 3-D chromatogram construction and thus will have a broad range of applications in environmental monitoring, homeland security, battlefield, industries, and healthcare. The students and the post-doctor will receive rigorous technical and entrepreneurial training and mentoring. Additionally, the team will work closely with the Master of Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Michigan to assess the market opportunities and viability of smart 3-D micro-GC. Dissemination of knowledge will include journal publications, conference presentations, patent filing, public seminars, and demonstration of the prototype at the science/technology exhibits in the Detroit area.