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At least 19 records

Evaluating the performance of a high resolution SLIM IM module integrated with an Agilent 6560 IM-QTOF MS

Integrate a combined Structures of Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) module that incorporates both constant (not time-varying) field (CF) and oscillatory (time-varying) field (OF) IM separation stages into an Agilent 6560 IM-QTOF mass spectrometer system. Once the SLIM module has been integrated into the Agilent system, its performance will be evaluated using a variety of different samples.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Evaluating the performance of a high resolution SLIM IM module integrated with an Agilent 6560 IM-QTOF MS - CRADA 413 (Final Report)

Developing new technologies that enhance our abilities to identify molecular signatures is important for the health of the public, the environment, and national security. Deploying these novel technologies requires multiple stages of validation and evaluation. This project focused on evaluating a technology developed at PNNL named Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) in the context of a commercially available ion mobility mass spectrometer instrument from Agilent Technologies. There is a benefit to integrating the recently developed SLIM module into a real-world instrument platform. Data from the combined instrument will provide new standards for characterizing samples using ion mobility. These standards, related to both the drift time of ions and their resulting collisional cross sections (CCS) will be of value in characterizing samples from both humans and environmental samples, such as soil microbiomes. Because no previous instrument has been designed and implemented to simultaneously analyze the same sample in both constant and oscillating drift fields, the project will provide a new research capability that will support research in a wide variety of applications. The evaluation approach included measuring the resolving power, mass range, sensitivity, and accuracy of two SLIM variations (constant and oscillating fields). Although SLIM performed similarly to the commercial instrument in terms of sensitivity, mass range, and accuracy the resolving power of SLIM far exceeded that of the commercially-available instrument. This validation will provide critically useful data to our commercial partners which they can use to reach informed decisions on the advantages of the SLIM technology such as the outstanding performance and the low cost of manufacturing.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Flight Crew Survey Responses from the Interval Management (IM) Avionics Phase 2 Flight Test

The Interval Management (IM) Avionics Phase 2 flight test used three aircraft over a nineteen day period to operationally evaluate a prototype IM avionics. Quantitative data were collected on aircraft state data and IM spacing algorithm performance, and qualitative data were collected through end-of-scenario and end-of-day flight crew surveys. The majority of the IM operations met the performance goals established for spacing accuracy at the Achieve-by Point and the Planned Termination Point, however there were operations that did not meet goals for a variety of reasons. While the positive spacing accuracy results demonstrate the prototype IM avionics can contribute to the overall air traffic goal, critical issues were also identified that need to be addressed to enhance IM performance. The first category was those issues that impacted the conduct and results of the flight test, but are not part of the IM concept or procedures. These included the design of arrival and approach procedures was not ideal to support speed as the primary control mechanism, the ground-side of the Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration (ATD-1) integrated concept of operations was not part of the flight test, and the high workload to manually enter the information required to conduct an IM operation. The second category was issues associated with the IM spacing algorithm or flight crew procedures. These issues include the high frequency of IM speed changes and reversals (accelerations), a mismatch between the deceleration rate used by the spacing algorithm and the actual aircraft performance, and some spacing error calculations were sensitive to normal operational variations in aircraft airspeed or altitude which triggered additional IM speed changes. Once the issues in these two categories are addressed, the future IM avionics should have considerable promise supporting the goals of improving system throughput and aircraft efficiency.

Baxley, Brian T.↗

Results from an Interval Management (IM) Flight Test and Its Potential Benefit to Air Traffic Management Operations

NASA's first Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration (ATD-1) subproject successfully completed a 19-day flight test of an Interval Management (IM) avionics prototype. The prototype was built based on IM standards, integrated into two test aircraft, and then flown in real-world conditions to determine if the goals of improving aircraft efficiency and airport throughput during high-density arrival operations could be met. The ATD-1 concept of operation integrates advanced arrival scheduling, controller decision support tools, and the IM avionics to enable multiple time-based arrival streams into a high-density terminal airspace. IM contributes by calculating airspeeds that enable an aircraft to achieve a spacing interval behind the preceding aircraft. The IM avionics uses its data (route of flight, position, etc.) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) state data from the Target aircraft to calculate this airspeed. The flight test demonstrated that the IM avionics prototype met the spacing accuracy design goal for three of the four IM operation types tested. The primary issue requiring attention for future IM work is the high rate of IM speed commands and speed reversals. In total, during this flight test, the IM avionics prototype showed significant promise in contributing to the goals of improving aircraft efficiency and airport throughput.

Baxley, Brian↗

Miniature GC-Minicell Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) for In Situ Measurements in Astrobiology Planetary Missions

Astrobiology flight experiments require highly sensitive instrumentation for in situ analysis of volatile chemical species and minerals present in the atmospheres and surfaces of planets, moons, and asteroids. The complex mixtures encountered place a heavy burden on the analytical instrumentation to detect and identify all species present. The use of land rovers and balloon aero-rovers place additional emphasis on miniaturization of the analytical instrumentation. In addition, smaller instruments, using tiny amounts of consumables, allow the use of more instrumentation and/or ionger mission life for stationary landers/laboratories. The miniCometary Ice and Dust Experiment (miniCIDEX), which combined Gas Chromatography (GC) with helium Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), was capable of providing the wide range of analytical information required for Astrobiology missions. The IMS used here was based on the PCP model 111 IMS. A similar system, the Titan Ice and Dust Experiment (TIDE), was proposed as part of the Titan Orbiter Aerorover Mission (TOAM). Newer GC systems employing Micro Electro- Mechanical System (MEMS) based technology have greatly reduced both the size and resource requirements for space GCs. These smaller GCs, as well as the continuing miniaturization of Astrobiology analytical instruments in general, has highlighted the need for smaller, dry helium IMS systems. We describe here the development of a miniature, MEMS GC-IMS system (MEMS GC developed by Thorleaf Research Inc.), employing the MiniCell Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS), from Ion Applications Inc., developed through NASA's Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development (ASTID) Program and NASA s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program.

Kojiro, Daniel R.↗

Plasma IMS Composition Measurements for Europa, Ganymede, and the Jovian System

NASA and ESA are now planning a reduced version of the joint Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM), potentially including a radically descoped Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO) but still with magnetometer and plasma instruments. Similar field and plasma instrumentation would also reside on ESA's Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO), which conceivably could carry out multiple flybys of Europa before entering orbit at Ganymede. We are developing the 3D Ion Mass Spectrometer (IMS) designed to measure both major and minor ion species within the high radiation environment of Jupiter's magnetosphere and the icy Galilean moons. The IMS covers the energy range from 10 eV to 30 keY, wide field-of-view (FOV) capability and 10-60 sec time resolution for major ions. This instrument has two main goals: 1) measure the plasma interaction between Europa and Jupiter's magnetosphere and 2) infer the global surface composition to trace elemental and significant isotopic levels; these goals are also applicable for in-situ measurements at Ganymede and Callisto, and remotely everywhere via the iogenic plasma for 10. The first goal supports the magnetometer (MAG) measurements, primarily directed at detection of Europa's sub-surface ocean, while the second goal gives information about transfer of material between the Galilean moons, e.g. mainly from 10 to the other moons, and further allows detection of oceanic materials emergent to the moon surfaces from subsurface layers putatively including salt water oceans. Outgassed exospheric materials are probed by the IMS by measuring pickup ions accelerated up to spacecraft altitudes of approximately 100-200 km in electric fields extending through the local magnetospheric environment and moon exosphere to the surface. Our 3D hybrid kinetic model of the moon-magnetosphere interaction is used to construct a global model of electric and magnetic fields for tracing of pickup ion trajectories back to the sources at approximate surface resolution of 100 km. We show that Europa's exospheric ionosphere is dominated by pickup ions with energies of 100-1000 eV. We also expect field aligned polar ion outflows driven by ionospheric electrons via the polarization electric field at Europa; the IMS will observe such outflows and thus sample the ionosphere below spacecraft orbit altitude approximately 100 km. Based on previous Ganymede studies, we also comment on IMS applications to a Ganymede orbiter. The IMS and the Europa interaction model are respectively being developed with support from NASA's Astrobiology Instrument Development (ASTID) and Outer Planets Research (OPR) programs.

Sittler, E. C., Jr.↗

Plasma IMS Composition Measurements for Europa, Ganymede, and the Jovian Systems

NASA and ESA are now planning a reduced version of the joint Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM), potentially including a radically descoped Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO) but still with magnetometer and plasma instruments. Similar field and plasma instrumentation would also reside on ESA's Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO), which conceivably could carry out multiple flybys of Europa before entering orbit at Ganymede. We are developing the 3D Ion Mass Spectrometer (IMS) designed to measure both major and minor ion species within the high radiation environment of Jupiter s magnetosphere and the icy Galilean moons. The IMS covers the energy range from 10 eV to 30 keV, wide field-ofview (FOV) capability and 10-60 sec time resolution for major ions. This instrument has two main goals: 1) measure the plasma interaction between Europa and Jupiter s magnetosphere and 2) infer the global surface composition to trace elemental and significant isotopic levels; these goals are also applicable for in-situ measurements at Ganymede and Callisto, and remotely everywhere via the iogenic plasma for Io. The first goal supports the magnetometer (MAG) measurements, primarily directed at detection of Europa's sub-surface ocean, while the second goal gives information about transfer of material between the Galilean moons, e.g. mainly from Io to the other moons, and further allows detection of oceanic materials emergent to the moon surfaces from subsurface layers putatively including salt water oceans. Outgassed exospheric materials are probed by the IMS by measuring pickup ions accelerated up to spacecraft altitudes of approximately 100-200 km in electric fields extending through the local magnetospheric environment and moon exosphere to the surface. Our 3D hybrid kinetic model of the moon-magnetosphere interaction is used to construct a global model of electric and magnetic fields for tracing of pickup ion trajectories back to the sources at approximate surface resolution of 100 km. We show that Europa's exospheric ionosphere is dominated by pickup ions with energies of 100-1000 eV. We also expect field aligned polar ion outflows driven by ionospheric electrons via the polarization electric field at Europa; the IMS will observe such outflows and thus sample the ionosphere below spacecraft orbit altitude approximately 100 km. Based on previous Ganymede studies, we also comment on IMS applications to a Ganymede orbiter. The IMS and the Europa interaction model are respectively being developed with support from NASA's Astrobiology Instrument Development (ASTID) and Outer Planets Research (OPR) programs.

Sittler, E.↗

Analysis and Compensation of Tx and Rx IQ Imbalances in Uplink IM-OFDMA Systems

Index modulation-based orthogonal division multiple access (IM-OFDMA) has recently been proposed as a potential technique for future wireless communication systems due to its superior spectral efficiency and error performance over conventional multiple access schemes. However, its performance is still under investigation by researchers in light of a variety of scenarios and assumptions. Following this direction, in this Article, the individual and joint effects of the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) in-phase and quadrature imbalances (IQI) on the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of the uplink IM-OFDMA scheme are investigated by considering whether each user's RF front-end is identical or not. Moreover, to reduce the detrimental effect of IQI, a preamble-based estimation and compensation method is proposed for IM-OFDMA. Closed-form expressions for the average BER of IM-OFDMA are obtained by considering the physical effect of the Tx and Rx IQI. Also, using Monte Carlo simulations, the derived expressions are verified under different system configurations. Furthermore, analytical and simulation results reveal that Tx and Rx IQI cause an error floor in the BER performance of IM-OFDMA schemes. However, the proposed estimation and compensation method not only reduces the impact of IQI but also leads to a better BER performance compared to the case of no IQI, which mainly refers to the frequency diversity caused by the IQI.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Nanowell-mediated multidimensional separations combining nanoLC with SLIM IM-MS for rapid, high-peak-capacity proteomic analyses

Mass spectrometry (MS)–based analysis of complex biological samples is essential for biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. The separation prior to MS plays a key role in the overall analysis, with separations having larger peak capacities often leading to more identified species and improved confidence in those identifications. High-resolution ion mobility (IM) separations enabled by Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation (SLIM) can provide extremely rapid, high-resolution separations and are well suited as a second dimension of separation following nanoscale liquid chromatography (nanoLC). However, existing sample handling approaches for offline coupling of separation modes require microliter-fraction volumes and are thus not well suited for analysis of trace biological samples. We have developed a novel nanowell-mediated fractionation system that enables nanoLC-separated samples to be efficiently preconcentrated and directly infused at nanoelectrospray flow rates for downstream analysis. When coupled with SLIM IM-MS, the platform enables rapid and high-peak-capacity multidimensional separations of small biological samples. In this study, peptides eluting from a 100 nL/min nanoLC separation were fractionated into ~?60 nanowells on a microfluidic glass chip using an in-house–developed robotic system. The dried samples on the chip were individually reconstituted and ionized by nanoelectrospray for SLIM IM-MS analysis. Using model peptides for characterization of the nanowell platform, we found that at least 80% of the peptide components of the fractionated samples were recovered from the nanowells, providing up to ~tenfold preconcentration for SLIM IM-MS analysis. The combined LC-SLIM IM separation peak capacities exceeded 3600 with a measurement throughput that is similar to current one-dimensional (1D) LC-MS proteomic analyses.

Dou, Maowei↗

Fundamental Studies of New Ionization Technologies and Insights from IMS-MS

Exceptional ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) developments by von Helden, Jarrold, and Clemmer provided technology that gives a view of chemical/biological compositions previously not achievable. The ionization method of choice used with IMS-MS has been electrospray ionization (ESI). In this special issue contribution, we focus on fundamentals of heretofore unprecedented means for transferring volatile and nonvolatile compounds into gas-phase ions singly and multiply charged. These newer ionization processes frequently lead to different selectivity relative to ESI and, together with IMS-MS, may provide a more comprehensive view of chemical compositions directly from their original environment such as surfaces, e.g., tissue. Similarities of results using solvent- and matrix-assisted ionization are highlighted, as are differences between ESI and the inlet ionization methods, especially with mixtures such as bacterial extracts. Selectivity using different matrices is discussed, as are results which add to our fundamental knowledge of inlet ionization as well as pose additional avenues for inquiry. IMS-MS provides an opportunity for comparison studies relative to ESI and will prove valuable using the new ionization technologies for direct analyses. Our hypothesis is that some ESI-IMS-MS applications will be replaced by the new ionization processes and by understanding mechanistic aspects to aid enhanced source and method developments this will be hastened. .

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

False alarms and the IMS infrasound network: Understanding the factors influencing the creation of false events

The International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound network has been designed to acquire the necessary data to detect and locate explosions in the atmosphere with a yield equivalent to 1 kiloton of TNT anywhere on Earth. A major associated challenge is the task of automatically processing data from all IMS infrasound stations to identify possible nuclear tests for subsequent review by analysts. This paper is the first attempt to quantify the false alarm rate (FAR) of the IMS network, and in particular to assess how the FAR is affected by the numbers and distributions of detections at each infrasound station. To ensure that the results are sufficiently general, and not dependent entirely on one detection algorithm, the assessment is based on two detection algorithms that can be thought of as end members in their approach to the trade-off between missed detections and false alarms. The results show that the FAR for events formed at only two arrays is extremely high (ranging from 10’s to 100’s of false events per day across the IMS network, depending on the detector tuning). It is further shown that the FAR for events formed at three or more IMS arrays is driven by ocean-generated waves (microbaroms), despite efforts within both detection algorithms for avoiding these signals, indicating that further research into this issue is merited. Overall, the results highlight the challenge of processing data from a globally sparse network of stations to detect and form events. On the basis of these results, it is shown that further work on understanding signal and noise characteristics is needed before attempting to automatically form events detected at only two arrays on the global network. In particular, more work is required to reduce false alarms caused by the detection of microbarom signals.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

IMS R and D program at Canada customs

Over the last few years, Revenue Canada, in collaboration with Barringer Instruments Limited, has been involved in the development of a field-usable ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) for the detection of drugs of abuse. This work has culminated in the manufacturing and commercialization by Barringer of the Ionscan 350 instruments, now in use by various law enforcement agencies worldwide. Although IMS exhibits a very strong and distinctive response toward some nitrogen containing drugs, e.g., cocaine, like all separation techniques it has inherent limitations, namely moderate resolution and low chemical signal to noise ratio which may affect the reliability of IMS-based drug detectors. A program is in place at the Laboratory and Scientific Services Directorate (LSSD) to investigate the applicability of various digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to IMS output signals. The application of neural network techniques to overlapping IMS peaks is presented.

Pilon, Pierre↗

Data collection in IMS: It's not as easy as it looks

Data collection in Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is not as easy an endeavor as it appears. Despite the advent of high speed personal computers and fast analog-to-digital converters (ADC's), care must be taken to ensure that reliable data are obtained in a timely fashion. This is especially true in hyphenated techniques, e.g. GC-IMS, where the amount of data increases dramatically when gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) data is being collected. Using the Graseby GC-IMS, with a gate repetition rate of 33 Hz, it is theoretically possible to collect 33 spectra per second. This collection rate is not realistically obtained due to a number of factors. Among these factors are inaccuracy of the timing signal from the IMS, the necessity to store the data, disk input/output limitations, disk operating system limitations, and program overhead. Taking these factors into account, we have achieved a data collection rate of 20 spectra per second. This paper will describe these problems, demonstrate the practical effects these problems present, and present methods for minimizing these effects.

Davis, Dennis M.↗

Using STAX data to predict IMS radioxenon concentrations

The noble gas collection and measurement stations in the International Monitoring System (IMS) are heavily influenced by releases from medical isotope production facilities. The ability to reliably model the movement of radioxenon from the points of release to these IMS samplers has improved enough that a routine aspect of the analysis of IMS radioxenon data should be the prediction of the effect of releases from civilian nuclear facilities on the sample concentrations. In this work, predicted concentrations at IMS noble gas systems in Germany and Sweden based on measured releases from Institute for Radioelements (IRE) in Belgium and atmospheric transport modeling for a four-month period are presented and discussed.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Development of Intelligent Monitoring System (IMS) Modules for the Aquistore CO 2 Storage Project

The monitoring data generated at a CO 2 storage site can quickly result in large amounts of data, often requiring significant labor- and time-intensive efforts to process and analyze before being able to make operational decisions. Implementing an intelligent monitoring system (IMS) can reduce the associated data-processing and analysis costs, which can thereby improve the efficiency of the monitoring process and enable real-time operational decision-making. The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has completed a 3-year project focused on developing an IMS comprising new workflows, algorithms, and a user interface for the automation and integration of geologic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) storage site-monitoring and simulation data. The design for the IMS was based on using injection and monitoring data acquired from Aquistore, an operating CO 2 storage project. Managed by the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, the Aquistore Project is injecting CO 2 captured from SaskPower’s coal-fired Boundary Dam Power Station into a deep saline formation for geologic storage. Using data from the Aquistore Project provided a real-world basis to develop an IMS.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

The structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere: Progress in the IMS

Knowledge of the magnetosphere before the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) is reviewed, and advances due to IMS are outlined. Post IMS studies are summarized. The GEOS spacecraft continuously monitored the state of the interior of the magnetosphere. The ISEE-1 and 2 satellites measured the velocities of magnetospheric boundaries. The ISEE-3 monitored solar wind input to the magnetosphere. The spacecraft provided data on magnetopause thickness, reconnection, electric field configuration, and plasma currents. Post IMS projects examined the ionosphere, auroras, and the deep geomagnetic tail.

Russell, C. T.↗

Secrecy Analysis of Uplink IM-OFDMA Systems in the Presence of IQ Imbalance

This article introduces the secrecy analysis of the index modulation-based orthogonal frequency division multiple access (IM-OFDMA) schemes by considering the in-phase and quadrature imbalance (IQI) presence at the users' RF front ends. In particular, by assuming the existence of an eavesdropper, the secrecy performance of the considered uplink multiple-access system is investigated through the strictly positive secrecy capacity and secrecy outage probability, and closed-form expressions are derived for both quantities. Moreover, the secrecy performance is conducted regarding IQI compensation based on a preamble-based estimation method. Further, analysis of the impact of the different parameters of IM-OFDMA, IQI, and estimation method is included via analytical and simulation-based results. In conclusion, the results reveal that IM-OFDMA is more reliable in secrecy performance than OFDMA, regardless of whether IQI is present. Also, IQI compensation can lead to a better secrecy performance compared to the case of no IQI.

42 ENGINEERING↗