1. FAIMS Whitepaper

8/8/2019 1. FAIMS Whitepaper

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OWL-WP-1 v3.0 21-3-06 2006 Owlstone Nanotech Inc 1 of 13

Owlstone Nanotech

White Paper

UK:St Johns Innovation Centre

Cowley Road

Cambridge CB4 0WSTel: +44 1223 422415Fax +44 1223 422414

USA:600 Lexington Avenue

29th FloorNew York, NY 10022Tel: +1 212 583 0098Fax: +1 212 583 0001

Email: [email protected]: www.owlstonenanotech.com


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The Technology at a glance

What is it?

A new technology for quicker and more accurate chemical and explosive detection with the ability tomeasure the presence and concentration of threats accurately, and continuously in real time at the point ofneed.

How does it work?By using a proprietary variant of Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS)a sensitive andproven method of trace detectiona chemical fingerprint is generated for each threat and is identified andclassified using software.

What makes it different?

Micro- and nano- fabrication methods are used to integrate the spectrometer onto a silicon microchip,leading to a number of significant advantages over previous generation instrumentation, in particularimproved sensitivity and selectivity with reduced size, cost and power consumption.

How is it better?

Increased sensitivity and selectivity over other miniature detection technologies leads to higher accuracy,and lower false positives. It is easily customized to each application through software updates and can bedynamically reprogrammed for new threats even after deployment.

Where can it be used?

In defense and homeland security applications wherever there is the need for a small, low power, low costyet highly sensitive and selective method of detection. Owlstone technology will enable new paradigms ofuse, and new deployment scenarios, from intelligent battlefield sensor networks, to high through-put cargoscreening to IED deteciton in urban conflict.


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Next generation detection technology

The Owlstone microchip solution is a dime size detector, with the ability to rapidly detect a broad range ofthreats at very low quantities with high confidence.

At the heart of this platform is a breakthrough silicon sensor that can be reprogrammed to detect a widerange of airborne or dissolved chemical agents in extremely small quantities. It works by using a proprietaryform ofField Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry(FAIMS), a sensitive and proven method of tracedetection. FAIMS is a variant of Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), the current method of choice for thedetection of chemical warfare agents and explosives in the field.

IMS performance worsens dramatically as it is reduced in size. By contrast, the Owlstone FAIMS solutionhas improved sensitivity, improved selectivity at reduced power as it is miniaturised. It is not only a sensor,but a highly integrated system with all the necessary electronic and mechanical components squeezed intoa dime sized package. Micro and nano-fabrication techniques enable the detector to be manufactured in amassively parallel fashion, achieving small form factor, economy of scale and reduced unit cost.

Owlstones solution was designed to meet the demanding requirements of detection in an uncertain worldand promises to set a new benchmark for reliable, cost-effective chemical and explosive detection.Increased sensitivity and selectivity over other miniature detection technologies leads to higher accuracy,

and lower false positives.

Unlike alternate miniature detectors, Owlstone's technology does not rely on exotic materials, customengineered for each application, which degrade over time. It is easily customized to each applicationthrough software updates and can be dynamically reprogrammed for new threats even after deployment.Use of chemically inert materials ensures a long storage life.

The Owlstone detection technology can be used wherever there is the need for a small, low power, lowcost yet highly sensitive and selective method of detection. From homeland security to home safety,Owlstone is providing next generation detection solutions to leading manufacturers and integrators acrossa broad range of markets and applications.


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Enabling New ApplicationsOwlstone envisage a range of game changing applications and deployment scenarios, arising fromincreased performance and reduced size. Possibilities may include the following.

Intelligent Battlefield

1) Sensors released from jets

2) Deploy parachute

3) Wireless battlefield network

4) Threat relayed to soldiers and command and control positions 5) Monitor plume movement


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FAIMS Basics

What makes a chemical different?

The basic problem of detection is how to detect the

chemical of interest in a complex mixture. Owlstone

technology identifies chemicals using a property know

as mobility, a measure of how quickly an ion moves

through an electric field. The mobility relates to size and

mass, and is used to specifically distinguish and identify

the chemical of interest.

Detection with Owlstone FAIMS

The Owlstone sensor acts as a reprogrammable filter,

which separates and identifies chemicals according to

their characteristic mobility. The sensor filters out the

background chemicals that do not have the correct

mobility fingerprint. The power and flexibility of thesystem is due to the fact that the filter can be easily

reprogrammed through software and electrical signals

to detect almost any chemical.

Identification with a chemical fingerprint

The Owlstone FAIMS technology rapidly creates a

fingerprint for all the chemicals present in a mixture,

even at extremely low concentrations. Software is used

to analyse the fingerprint to provide the user accurate

information on the type, and quantity of chemicals

present, to allow them to make the right decisions witha high degree of confidence.

Ions moving in an

electric field

Ion Filtering

Chemical FingerprintThe following are a series of chemical fingerprints from internal testing programs. The different fingerprintsare unique to the compound and are easily distinguishable and identifiable from each other. Softwarealgorithms are used to classify each fingerprint, resulting in identification with greatly reduced occurrencesof false positives.


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Core Technology: Owlstones Innovative Microchip solution

The heart of the Owlstone detection technology

is a microchip sized spectrometer. The device is

fabricated using processes similar to those in thesemiconductor industry, enabling a highly

integrated dime sized detector. The parallel,

batch fabrication process results in economies of

scale, which dramatically reduces unit cost.

~5-10mm

~5-10mm

Chemicals enter the detector and are ionised,

which means they can be moved by an electric

field. Ionisation detection methods are amongthe most sensitive available, easily achieving

detection limits as low as one part per billion.

This allows the detection of chemicals at very

low thresholds, a key requirement across the

whole range of detection applications.

Ions are then drawn into the sensor for analysis.

The proprietary Owlstone design incorporates a

drive electric field to pump ions through the

device. Conventional FAIMS technologies use

mechanical pumps which are power hungry andbulky. The Owlstone design is integrated to

greatly reduce size and complexity. The powerconsumption is reduced by a factor of a

thousand, which means the detector can be

used in battery portable applications that

demand long operational life.

As ions move through the device an electric fieldis applied, which filters the ion of interest from

the background mixture. Ions with the correct

mobility fingerprint pass through the device and

are detected. Conventional FAIMS technologieshave a single filter gap, which requires very high

voltages and reduces sensitivity. The Owlstone

design has a series of filter electrodes connectedin parallel, which results in a significant increase

in sensitivity and a further ability to detect

chemicals at very low concentrations.

Ions

Ions pumped through the

device by electric field

Ions filtered from

background

Ion of interest

detected


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Case Studies on Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) SimulantsA prototype FAIMS detector has been shown to exhibit excellent detection capability for a number ofChemical Warfare Agent Simulants, which have properties similar to nerve agents such as Sarin andTabun.

Reponses for three common CWA Simulants - dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), Methyl salicylate(MS) and Diethyl ethylphosponate (DEEP) are shown below. The analyte device exposure level was20:1 suggesting detection limits for these compounds are likely to be below the 1ppb (0.003mgm

-3)

level and therefore much less than IDLH levels for GA and GB, less than the IDLH level for GD (8ppb,0.05mgm

-3) and near the IDLH level forVX (2ppb, 0.01mgm

-3).

Sarin Simulant - Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)

a&b Positive and negative mode response surfaces for dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) at an

exposure level of 20 ! 4ppb 0.10 ! 0.2 mgm-3

. c & d: Respective image maps of the response surfaces(left being positive mode and right being negative mode). In all plots the polarity of the offset in thecompensation voltage from zero is indicated and the scaling is linear. DMMP gives only a positive moderesponse at this level. The exposure level is equivalent to the IDLH level for GA (Tabun) and GB (Sarin).


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Methyl Salicylate

a&b Positive and negative mode response surfaces for methyl salicylate (MS) at an exposure level of 40 !

10ppb 0.30 ! 0.6 mgm-3

. c & d: Respective image maps of the response surfaces (left being positivemode and right being negative mode). In all plots the polarity of the offset in the compensation voltagefrom zero is indicated and the scaling is linear. MS gives both a positive mode and negative moderesponse at this level with the highest relative response (relative to the RIP) being in the negative mode.The exposure level is near the IDLH level for GA (Tabun) and GB (Sarin).


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Diethyl ethylphosphonate (DEEP)

a & b: Positive and negative mode response surfaces for diethyl ethylphosphonate (DEEP) at an exposure

level of 25 ! 5ppb 0.15 ! 0.3 mgm-3

. c & d: Respective image maps of the response surfaces (left beingpositive mode and right being negative mode). In all plots the polarity of the offset in the compensationvoltage from zero is indicated and the scaling is linear. DEEP gives only a positive mode response at thislevel with the highest relative response (relative to the RIP) being in the negative mode. The exposurelevel is equivalent to the IDLH level for GA (Tabun) and GB (Sarin).


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Selectivity and CWA Chemical FingerprintsThe different compounds have a unique and distinguishable fingerprint enabling accurate classification andidentification. Further tests are currently being conducted to look at other chemical and explosive threatsrelevant to military and homeland security applications.

a&b Tracks of the product ion peaks in a: the positive mode and b: the negative mode as a function of theelectric field strength. MS responds in the positive and negative mode yielding unequivocal selectivity,whilst DMMP and DEEP differentiation can be established by the broad CV shift in the monomer peak CVin the positive mode.

Evaluating and Testing Owlstone TechnologyOwlstone is currently working with selected partners to demonstrate feasibility for a number of analytes andapplications. A handheld evaluation unit is now available for external trials. Please contact a representativeat Owlstone Nanotech to discuss your detection requirements and test platform availability.


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About Owlstone

wlstone is developing and commercializing innovative new technologies to address the critical need for

wlstone is focused on the innovation of detection technologies to address unmet needs. We develop

rom homeland security to home safety, Owlstone is working with leading manufacturers and integrators

wlstone is headquartered in the United States and has laboratory facilities in the United Kingdom. We

ontact

SA:xington Avenue

Y 10022

K:hns Innovation Centre

4 0WS

mail: [email protected]

Ocompact, dependable and cost-effective chemical and biological detection solutions for a wide range ofmarkets. We were formed through the recognition of the opportunities created by the application of micro-and nano- technology to develop improved sensing solutions.

Osolutions that are flexible enough to target a range of markets with the potential for growth by enablingnew application opportunities.

Facross a range of markets to develop products incorporating our microchip chemical sensing solution.

Owere founded in 2003 with a seed investment of two million dollars from Advance Nanotech, Inc., a NewYork based company specializing in the investment in and commercialization of nanotechnologies.

C

U600 Le29th FloorNew York, NTel: +1 212 583 0098Fax: +1 212 583 0001

USt JoCowley RoadCambridge CBTel: +44 1223 422415

Fax +44 1223 422414

EWeb: www.owlstonenanotech.com
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

1. FAIMS Whitepaper

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