NASA SBIR 02-1 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Monitor Instruments Company,LLC
290 East Union Road
Cheswick , PA   15024 - 2107
(724 ) 265 - 1212

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Dr. Guenter Voss
monitor1@nauticom.net
290 East Union Road
Cheswick , PA   15024 - 2107
(724 ) 265 - 1212

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The circular cycloidal mass spec (our patent application 10/981,511) is derived from the standard linear cycloid analyzer. Instead of crossed uniform electric and magnetic fields, the electric field has circular symmetry. Thus the ion trajectories proceed periodically around the center. This provides long trajectories (high resolution) within a small analyzer, typically 50 mm in diameter (low weight, low cost). We propose the arrangement of two concentrically arranged analyzers, the inner one for H2 and He separation and the outer one for N2, O2, and Ar. Five collectors allow the simultaneous continuous registration of all gases without scanning the field (high speed analysis). The pumping system will contain an ion getter triode pump and a non-evaporable getter pump combination. As an inlet we propose a fast 1-step membrane inlet. The complete unit will require less than 3500 cm3 with a weight of ca. 10 kg.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
-Fast process control in petrochemical and chemical plants
-Portable instruments for onsite analysis
-Isotope ratio analyzer for medical and biological investigations
-Security control, portable detector for explosives and toxics
-Environmental monitor

POTENTIAL NASA APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
-Miniature mass spec for hazardous gas detection
-Gas chromatograph mass spec in harsh environments
-Miniaturized mass spec for N2, CO2, NH4, O2, and hydrazine
-Onboard gas monitor for the space shuttles