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Updated: May 23, 2026
08:23
Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 9, 2018
A silicon microneedle array atmospheric pressure plasma ionization source for real-time trace gas chemical analysis
Bradley S Chew1,2, Dylan T Koch2,3, Patrick Gibson1,2
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|May 21, 2026
Summary
We developed ZAPPI, a low-power plasma device for detecting trace volatile organic compounds. This technology enables sensitive, portable detection for applications like environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Plasma Physics
- Microfabrication
Background:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are crucial in environmental monitoring and diagnostics.
- Existing detection methods often lack portability, sensitivity, or require high power.
- Need for compact, low-power devices for trace VOC detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer and fabricate ZAPPI (Zonal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Ionizer) for VOC ionization and detection.
- To optimize ZAPPI for portable applications with low power consumption and high sensitivity.
- To demonstrate ZAPPI's capability in detecting various VOCs relevant to different applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ZAPPI using micro-needle arrays with a 250 µm interelectrode gap.
- Characterization of ZAPPI's power consumption and detection limits.
- Testing ZAPPI's ionization efficiency with diverse VOCs: DMMP, 2-butanone, Methyl salicylate, and Naphthalene.
Main Results:
- ZAPPI operates at low power (1.1 mW) and detects analytes at mass flow rates as low as 23 ng/s.
- Successful ionization and detection of DMMP (simulated nerve agent), 2-butanone (biomarker), Methyl salicylate (flavoring), and Naphthalene (combustion byproduct).
- Wafer-level fabrication demonstrates potential for scalable, integrated systems.
Conclusions:
- ZAPPI is a highly effective, low-power device for trace VOC detection.
- The technology is suitable for portable analytical applications.
- ZAPPI's fabrication method paves the way for lab-on-a-chip trace gas detection systems.
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