Ferran Scientific Inc. (FSI) proposes to develop and demonstrate the concept of a Portable Sampling System for Detection of PPM Traces of Gases. The Package features a miniature mass spectrometer, the MicropoleTM recently introduced to the residual gas community. While current systems weigh over 600 lb, and can only be mounted on several feet tall racks, the proposed innovation is packaged in 6"W x 6"H x 10"L and weighs less than 20 lbs. It enables accurate measurements of high PPB concentrations of gases in the 2-65 amu mass range at 0.5 amu resolution. It is ideally suited, as a field instrument, in several NASA applications where small size and power requirements, lower cost, ruggedness, reliability, and dependability are driving forces. These applications extend from ground processing, to real time monitoring aboard the shuttle, to monitoring the environment of life support systems in the space station and future lunar and Mars manned mission. Immediate needs consist of, the detection hazardous gases in fuel compartments, the purge verification of fuel lines on launch pads and aboard the space shuttle. These tasks are crucial to the overall safety of a particular mission and can only be performed using small, compact, and easy to operate mass spectrometric sampling systems.
Potential Commercial Applications:High Pressure Semiconductor Process Control, Toxic Gas Sensing, Environmental Monitoring,
