FAIMS Ion Filter
Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) • Detects multiple gases simultaneously in under a second • Detection levels below part per billion (ppb) • Sensor can be reprogrammed to detect new gases through software, even after deployment. Hardware stays the same. • 2D chemical signature reduces false alarms The sensor acts as a programmable filter, which separates and identifies chemicals according to their characteristic mobility. The sensor filters out chemicals that don’t have the correct mobility fingerprint. Only the chemicals of interest pass through. The chemicals of interest are then analyzed using software to determine their type and quantity.
Availability: DISCONTINUED
| Manufacturer |
| Owlstone, Inc. |
| Product Name |
| FAIMS Ion Filter |
| Detection Category |
| Chemical; Explosives |
| Detection Principle |
| Spectrometry; |
| Detection Method |
| Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS); |
| Application |
| Emergency Response; Gas Analysis; Screening; Trace Analysis; |
| Equipment Type |
| Sensor |
| Product Synopsis |
| Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) • Detects multiple gases simultaneously in under a second • Detection levels below part per billion (ppb) • Sensor can be reprogrammed to detect new gases through software, even after deployment. Hardware stays the same. • 2D chemical signature reduces false alarms The sensor acts as a programmable filter, which separates and identifies chemicals according to their characteristic mobility. The sensor filters out chemicals that don’t have the correct mobility fingerprint. Only the chemicals of interest pass through. The chemicals of interest are then analyzed using software to determine their type and quantity. |
| Availability |
| DISCONTINUED |
| Technology Readiness Level (TRL) |
| 6 |
| User Feedback Sources |
| Indifferent/No user feedback |
| Dimensions |
| Microchip is dime-sized, the instrument sizes vary between systems |
| Weight |
| <30 lbs.; The Lonestar™ system weighs ~10 lbs. The MCD system weighs ~2 lbs. The sensor itself can be measured in grams |
| Power Requirements |
| AC/DC Line Power; Alkaline Battery; By instrument: Lonestar™ is AC power only, MCD uses 9 volt batteries |
| Transportability |
| Handheld |
| Ruggedness |
| None |
| Operating Conditions |
| 0 to 40°C (32 to 105°F) |
| Consumables |
| <$1,000/year; molecular sieve |
| Solvents/Reagents |
| None |
| Calibration Schedule |
| Test standard for positive ion mode is dimethyl methyl phosphonate. Test standard for negative ion mode is methyl salicylate |
| Available Accessories |
| The FAIMS detector core is $22,000, Lonestar™ $50,000 - $86,000, and MCD cost is $29,000 |
| Data Analysis Support Equipment |
| PC |
| Communications Interface |
| Yes |
| Shelf Life |
| <1 year |
| Maintenance Cost |
| Molecular sieve $25 |
| Tested For Chemical Agents |
| Yes |
| Tested For ITF-25 TIC/TIMs |
| Yes |
| Tested For Explosives |
| Yes |
| Other Chemical Targets |
| Yes |
| Sample Introduction |
| Vapor/Gas |
| Sensitivity/Detection Limits |
| ppb |
| Known Interferents/Inhibitors |
| Common interferents include ethoxy compounds and certain alcohols found in cleaning products. A limited amount of testing against interferences that appear in the JCAD specification were performed. |
| Start Up Time (From Cold Start To Sample Ready) |
| 5 minutes |
| Response Time (Sample Application To Output) |
| <1 minute |
| Alarm Capability |
| Yes |
| Software Control |
| Yes |
| Training Required |
| <1 week training |
| Training Available |
| Yes |
| Manuals Available |
| Yes |
| Warranties |
| 1 year |
| ITAR/EAR Export Regulations |
| Yes; ITAR regulations exist if chemical agent algorithms are programmed onboard an instrument |
| IATA Shipping Restrictions |
| Yes; When shipping by ground or air, a UN2911 sticker must be attached to the outside of the package |
