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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R06489/01
Title: Sensitive and Selective On-Line Trace Gas Analysis Using a Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometer
Principal Investigator: Mayhew, Professor C
Other Investigators:
Harrison, Professor R Harrison, Professor R Baker, Dr J
Hay, Dr JN
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Defence Science & Tech Lab DSTL Ionicon Analytics Company m.b.h
Department: School of Physics and Astronomy
Organisation: University of Birmingham
Scheme: JREI
Starts: 31 July 2001 Ends: 30 July 2004 Value (£): 47,430
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Chemicals
Environment R&D
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The PTR-MS offers rapid, very high sensitivity analysis of trace gases in air, and data on gas-phase proton transfer chemistry. Fundamental investigations, supported by our SIFT, of the reactions of H3O+,NH4+, and cluster ions with single VOCs will provide essential data for relating MH+ signals to the concentration of M. Experiments on 'real' air samples containing complex mixtures of VOCs will validate the performance of the PTR-MS for multicomponent analysis. Applications to detection and materials sciences, and to air pollution studies are proposed. The multidisciplinary research will be facilitated by the portability of the PTR-MS. DERA have a strong programme in detection science; the PTR-MS will probe the ion-molecule reactions that underlie the operation of the current generation of chemical agent monitors. Advances in air pollution studies depend on the selective detection of a variety of pollutants in a complex environment, a challenge to which the PTR-MS is ideally suited. We will confirm the capabilities, and carry out studies of the pollution resulting from car engine exhausts. Materials science applications will exploit the very high sensitivity of the PTR-MS, to support the development of new liquid crystal sensors, and to quantify the release of VOCs from polymer composites.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.bham.ac.uk