Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for detecting chemicals utilizes a mechanism for dividing light from a target volume into different frequency bands and directing these bands onto a pixel array. The entire pixel array is then read out at essentially the same time. Dividing and applying the ranges of frequencies to the pixels in this way facilitates decoupling spectral information from the data signals and determining a spectral range signature without aliasing. Analysis of the spectral range signature and other spectral information including comparison to a database enables identification of chemical(s) in a target volume. The system and apparatus may include a chemical detector having a light collector, a diffraction grating, a focal plane array of pixels, and a controller. A light generator and a high frequency microphone for receiving a photoacoustic response may be utilized to determine a location of a material in the target volume.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for broad spectrum chemical detection. The method includes detecting an ambient temperature and setting a target temperature based on the ambient temperature. The target temperature is a temperature greater than the ambient temperature. The method further includes determining elution data for the target temperature, either by selecting a target temperature at which elution data is available, or by interpolating between available sets of elution data. The method includes setting a preferred target temperature when an external power source is available, when faster sensor response is desired, and when higher resolution data is desired. The method further includes controlling the temperature of gas chromatography (GC) columns within a GC sensor to the target temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for broad spectrum chemical detection. The method includes determining a similarity sequencing scheme. The method includes receiving an ambient air sample and concentrating the ambient air sample. The method further includes providing the concentrated sample to a gas chromatography (GC) column, and detecting chemical elution from the GC column in a series of similarity sequenced samples based on the similarity sequencing scheme. The method includes de-convoluting the elution data to derive arrival peaks, and determining a concentration of a chemical in the ambient air based on the series of constant log-time data samples. In one embodiment, the method utilizes a modified Z-transform to de-convolute the elution data.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for low cost high resolution chemical detection. The apparatus includes two outer sealing bodies with flow channels etched into the bodies. Two gas chromatography (GC) columns are between the outer bodies, with a valve that switches flow regimes from series flow through the two GC columns to sample flowing directly to each GC column. The flow regimes are achieved with a single pump or dual pumps, and with one to three flow restrictions. The apparatus includes a preconcentration tube for concentrating chemicals of interest from the sample, and a sample switching valve and sampling pump to switch the sample flow from concentrating sample to delivering concentrated sample. The apparatus includes an engineered leak to equalize flow between a sample channel and a detector circuit. The sample channels may have impermeable inserts allowing the apparatus to measure chemicals in the parts-per-billion range.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for broad spectrum chemical detection. The method includes detecting an ambient temperature and setting a target temperature based on the ambient temperature. The target temperature is a temperature greater than the ambient temperature. The method further includes determining elution data for the target temperature, either by selecting a target temperature at which elution data is available, or by interpolating between available sets of elution data. The method includes setting a preferred target temperature when an external power source is available, when faster sensor response is desired, and when higher resolution data is desired. The method further includes controlling the temperature of gas chromatography (GC) columns within a GC sensor to the target temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for low cost high resolution chemical detection. The apparatus includes two outer sealing bodies with flow channels etched into the bodies. Two gas chromatography (GC) columns are between the outer bodies, with a valve that switches flow regimes from series flow through the two GC columns to sample flowing directly to each GC column. The flow regimes are achieved with a single pump or dual pumps, and with one to three flow restrictions. The apparatus includes a preconcentration tube for concentrating chemicals of interest from the sample, and a sample switching valve and sampling pump to switch the sample flow from concentrating sample to delivering concentrated sample. The apparatus includes an engineered leak to equalize flow between a sample channel and a detector circuit. The sample channels may have impermeable inserts allowing the apparatus to measure chemicals in the parts-per-billion range.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for broad spectrum chemical detection. The method includes determining a similarity sequencing scheme. The method includes receiving an ambient air sample and concentrating the ambient air sample. The method further includes providing the concentrated sample to a gas chromatography (GC) column, and detecting chemical elution from the GC column in a series of similarity sequenced samples based on the similarity sequencing scheme. The method includes de-convoluting the elution data to derive arrival peaks, and determining a concentration of a chemical in the ambient air based on the series of constant log-time data samples. In one embodiment, the method utilizes a modified Z-transform to de-convolute the elution data.