Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable dessicant material.

Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable dessicant material.

Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable desiccant material.

Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable dessicant material.

Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable dessicant material.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer including an ion identifying unit, a detector in flow communication with the identifying unit, a gas inlet configured to provide gas carrying a sample of interest, a membrane substantially covering the first opening of the detector inlet, the membrane configured to capture the sample of interest on an exterior surface of the membrane, a heating device coupled to the membrane, the heating device configured to increase a temperature of the membrane to a temperature threshold level once the sample of interest is captured enabling molecules in the captured sample of interest to pass through the membrane and into the detector inlet, and a radiant heat source configured to apply radiant heat to the membrane to increase the temperature of the membrane to the temperature threshold level.

Abstract: A method of operating a screening system includes applying an electromagnetic field to a subject in a region at least partially enclosed by electromagnetic shielding, and measuring an output from a sensor. The output is representative of an interaction of the electromagnetic field and the subject. A trace vapor is collected from the subject within the region, and the trace vapor is identified. Based on the measured sensor output and the identified trace vapor, whether a target material is associated with the subject is determined.

Abstract: A detection system for identifying an unknown substance includes a detector assembly configured to receive a particulate or vapor and determine a substance contained within the collected vapor or particulate sample, and at least one heater element operatively coupled in flow communication with the detector assembly. The heater element is configured to attract an airborne vapor when the detection system is in a vapor mode, and desorb at least a portion of the attracted particulate when the detection system is in a particulate mode.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a mixture includes identifying a plurality of possible components of the mixture, calculating at least one feature for at least a portion of the plurality of possible components, and calculating a probability value for at least a portion of the plurality of possible components based on the at least one feature and at least one transfer function

Abstract: A method of operating a screening system includes applying an electromagnetic field to a subject in a region at least partially enclosed by electromagnetic shielding, and measuring an output from a sensor. The output is representative of an interaction of the electromagnetic field and the subject. A trace vapor is collected from the subject within the region, and the trace vapor is identified. Based on the measured sensor output and the identified trace vapor, whether a target material is associated with the subject is determined.

Abstract: A method of operating a screening system includes applying an electromagnetic field to a specimen in a region at least partially enclosed by electromagnetic shielding and measuring an output from a sensor, wherein the output is induced by an interaction of the electromagnetic field and the specimen. The method also includes dislodging trace particles from the specimen within the region, collecting the trace particles, and identifying the trace particles. The method further includes evaluating an association of the specimen with a substance based on the measured sensor output and the identified trace particles.

Abstract: A detection system for identifying an unknown substance includes a detector assembly configured to receive a particulate or vapor and determine a substance contained within the collected vapor or particulate sample, and at least one heater element operatively coupled in flow communication with the detector assembly. The heater element is configured to attract an airborne vapor when the detection system is in a vapor mode, and desorb at least a portion of the attracted particulate when the detection system is in a particulate mode.