SBIR Phase I: Portable, Miniaturized Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer featuring Autonomous In Situ Alignment

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发下一代手持傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱仪。手持FTIR设备为在许多领域复杂和难以接触的表面上的样品提供了询问的可能性。大幅降低手持FTIR系统的尺寸和重量将使直接采样能够在更多的应用中实现，而这些应用是当前设备无法提供服务的。这项新技术对于实验室和现场法医科学分析(毒品鉴定、秘密药物实验室、微量证据)；制药和食品加工环境的清洁度分析；药品成分开发和潜在假冒产品的分析；化学反应监测；原材料和成品核查；航空航天(确认复合材料粘合修复)；以及化学品/爆炸物检测和威胁筛查(国防、国土安全、运输、港口和边界)具有相关性。然而，目前的设备存在与关键的人体工程学因素相关的缺陷：体积、大小、重量、用户界面和平衡。这些问题阻碍了该技术的大规模接受和使用。需要一种真正的手持(智能手机大小)、轻便、高性能的FTIR光谱仪系统，能够对各种表面和材料进行非破坏性的原位分析。本项目的智力优势在于研制出真正意义上的手持式傅里叶变换红外光谱仪。该设备的系统光学、光机、机电和电路设计必须进行协调优化，以实现目标尺寸和配置，同时仍提供高性能测量。自主的原位对准将为任何空间方向的使用提供更好的光谱性能和仪器稳定性。如果没有这种自我修复、坚固耐用的功能，就不可能设想出具有必要能力、精度和抗冲击能力的手掌大小的仪器。通过使用现代移动计算技术，该设备在易用性、与现代基于网络的媒体的集成以及无线互联方面将是无与伦比的。高效电路和控制的开发将促进商用现成(COTS)电池的运行能力。该项目的目的是开始设计和开发拟议光谱仪所需的电子、光学和光机械部件。这将通过为整个系统设计开发一个面板，并研究FTIR组件的小型化来实现。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a next-generation handheld Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Handheld FTIR devices have opened up the possibility of interrogating samples on complex and difficult-to-access surfaces in many fields. Significantly reducing the size and weight of the handheld FTIR system will enable direct sampling in a greater number of applications that cannot be served with current devices. This new technology has relevance for laboratory and in-field forensic science analyses (narcotics identification, clandestine drug laboratories, trace evidence); cleanliness analysis in pharmaceutical and food processing environments; analysis of pharmaceutical ingredients development and potential counterfeits; chemical reaction monitoring; raw materials and finished products verification; aerospace (validation of composite bonding repairs); and chemical/explosives detection and threat screening (defense, homeland security, transportation, ports and borders). However, current devices suffer from shortcomings related to critical ergonomic factors: bulk, size, weight, user interface, and balance. These problems prevent the potential for large-scale acceptance and use of the technique. There is a need for a truly handheld (smartphone-sized), lightweight, high-performance FTIR spectrometer system capable of non-destructive, in situ analysis of a large variety of surfaces and materials. The intellectual merit of this project is in the development of truly handheld Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer. The systemic optical, opto-mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electrical circuit design of the device must be harmoniously optimized to achieve target size and configuration while still providing high performance measurements. Autonomous in situ alignment will provide better spectroscopy performance and instrument stability for use in any spatial orientation. Without this self-healing, robustness feature, a palm-sized instrument of requisite capability, precision, and resistance to shock could not possibly be contemplated. Through use of modern mobile computing technology, the unit will be unsurpassed in ease of use, integration with modern web-based media, and wireless interconnectivity. Development of highly efficient circuits and controls will facilitate the capability to run on commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) batteries. The purpose of this project is to begin the process of designing and developing the electronics, optical and opto-mechanical components required for the proposed spectrometer. This will be achieved by developing a breadboard for the overall system design, and investigating the miniaturization of FTIR components.