Ionfinity - Monitoring and Detection Systems

Ionfinity is developing next-generation sensors based on new mass spectrometry (MS) technology that can detect and analyze extremely small quantities (or residues) of chemicals and hazardous materials such as explosives, toxic gases, chemical/biological weapons and drugs.

And with the incorporation of Ionfinity miniaturization technology, new portable monitoring devices and detection systems are being developed for homeland security, defense, biomedical, industrial process control, agricultural and environmental monitoring and safety applications.

Markets

Ionfinity's new sensor technology has direct application in the defense and homeland security industry, in which approximately $55 billion is spent annually, as well as potential applications in chemical analysis and monitoring for commercial applications, such as environmental monitoring, agriculture and medicine.

Technology

Ionfinity is developing a "soft-ionization" technology for next-generation mass spectrometers, differential mobility spectrometers and systems dependent on ion-level sampling that can not only revolutionize the traditional applications of MS for industrial process control, biomedical, and environmental monitoring but also lead to new detection systems for homeland security.

The latest technology being developed enables detection at levels from ppt (parts-per-trillion) to sub-ppb (parts-per-billion) within 10 seconds and, with miniaturization, by a system no larger than a shoe box. And with projected ruggedness, low power consumption and low cost, the system could be used in many applications where monitoring of air, water or other substances is required.

Product Development

Ionfinity is developing a compact, stand-alone chemical-sensing device consisting of: 1) a new and powerful detector called a Differential Mobility Spectrometer; 2) a non-radioactive ionization method that does not fragment or multiply-ionize sampled specimens; and 3) a micro-gas chromatograph for confirmation and enhanced detection capability. The device will detect chemicals and materials of interest at ppt (parts-per-trillion) to ppb (parts-per-billion) levels after 6 seconds. The sensor is self contained with respect to power and communications.

Research & Development and Technology Partners

Ionfinity is involved in ongoing collaborations with California Institute of Technology (Caltech), National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Ionfinity is also involved in partnerships with General Dynamics Corp., Sionex Corp., and Imaginative Technologies LLC.

Business Partners

Development Projects

Current development projects include:

A U.S. Navy contract to develop and commercialize a miniaturized, high-sensitivity system for detecting and analyzing chemical, explosive, and drug residues in suspect vessels. (See News, April 21, 2009)

A U.S. Army contract to develop and demonstrate a prototype�an enhanced version of General Dynamics' JUNO(�) hand-held chemical agent detector incorporating VIASPACE's chemical-agent sensor�detection and analysis system to identify the chemical components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). (See News, May 4, 2009)