Technologies and Applications
Superiority of the Technology
Next-generation Ionizer
Ionfinity is working to develop the next-generation ionization device. This device will be a "soft ionization" membrane (SIM) that will provide ionization of samples without fragmentation - thus its designation as ‘soft' ionization. The SIM is tiny, less than 2 mm, and compatible with portable and handheld systems now being used for detection and analysis of toxic gases, explosives, narcotics, threat chemicals, bio-hazards and industrial gases. The SIM allows molecules to be detected at extremely low concentrations, which benefits all traditional applications such as MS, DMS and IMS instruments. This will benefit all traditional applications for security, industrial process control and environmental monitoring, as well as ring in a new era of detection systems for homeland security.
Superiority of the Technology
Ionfinity's technology utilizes inventions developed by scientists at the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory and licensed from Caltech. Current ionization techniques ionize only 1-2% of the sample. The SIM ionizes very efficiently, which translates into a 10x increase in sensitivity. Current ionization methods are somewhat violent and tend to fracture samples being ionized into fragments. In tradition analysis then the mass spectrometer analyzes the mass of the fragments, which then must be reconstructed to the original sample from fragments. Fragmentation introduces considerable uncertainty into the analysis. The SIM ionizes the sample without fragmentation - thus its designation as ‘soft' ionization. The SIM is tiny and compatible with portable and handheld systems. The SIM allows molecules to be detected at extremely low concentrations, which benefits all traditional applications. More importantly, it enables new applications such as ‘sniffing' for traces of chemical and biological agents, narcotics and explosives.
Partners:
Navy. Army, JPL, IT
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IONFINITY RECEIVES PATENT FOR SOFT IONIZATION MEMBRANE
Ionfinity subsidiary has been granted a patent for a soft ionization membrane. Ionfinity, a subsidiary in VIASPACE, is working to develop the next-generation mass spectrometry (MS) technology, which could not only revolutionize the traditional applications of MS for industrial process control and environmental monitoring, but could also ring in a new era of detection systems for homeland security. The technology combines two inventions made at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which should enable the system to provide a 10x increase in sensitivity, a 10x increase in mass range and the ability to miniaturize the product to make it portable and low cost.

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