With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities - Instrument Development (CRIF-ID) Program, Purnendu Dasgupta in the Departments of Chemistry at Texas Tech University will develop miniaturized instrumentation for real time analysis of gases, particles and metals in ambient air. The instrument modules consists of (a) a miniature membrane-based denuder that collects and removes soluble gases, coupled with a novel self-filtering particle collecter where the collected gas and particle extracts are separately analyzed by a capillary scale anion chromatograph and a ammonia/ammonium detector; (b) a capillary scale anion chromatograph and a capillary scale cation chromatograph; (c) a metal determination system; and (d) a spectroscopic absorption based particle sensor in which deposition of particles occur according to their size.
This instrumentation will have a significant impact in the areas of atmospheric chemistry and national security. For example, it will allow communities to rapidly and easily determine local sources of air pollution. The highly sensitive protein aerosol detector can provide an early warning system in the event of a bioterrorism attack.
