Compact Prototype Microfabricated Gas Chromatographic Analyzer for Autonomous Determinations of VOC Mixtures at Typical Workplace Concentrations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bryant-Genevier J ; Buggaveeti S ; Kraay B ; Nidetz R ; Nuñovero N ; Scholten K ; Wang J ; Zellers ET ; Zhan C ; Zhang C
• Description:
  This report concerns a benchtop prototype instrument containing a gas chromatographic microanalytical system (uGC) designed for the selective determination of multiple airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations in the vicinity of recommended occupational exposure limits. The core microsystem consists of a set of discrete Si-microfabricated devices: a dual-cavity, adsorbent-packed micro-preconcentrator-focuser (uPCF) chip that quantitatively captures and thermally desorbs/injects VOCs with vapor pressures between approximately 0.03 and 13 kPa; tandem micro-column (ucolumn) chips with cross-linked PDMS wall-coated stationary phases capable of temperature-programmed separations; and an integrated array of five uchemiresistors (uCR) coated with different thiolate-monolayer protected gold nanoparticle (MPN) interface films that quantifies and further differentiates among the analytes by virtue of the response patterns generated. Other key components include a pre-trap for low-volatility interferences, a split-flow injection valve, and an onboard He carrier-gas canister. The assembled unit measures 19×30×14 cm, weighs approximately 3.5 kg, operates on AC power, and is laptop/LabVIEW controlled. Component- and system-level tests of performance demonstrated injection bandwidths <1 s, a ucolumn capacity of >/=8 ug injected mass, linear calibration curves, no humidity effects, excellent medium-term (that is, 1 week) reproducibility, autonomous operation for 8 h, detection limits below Threshold Limit Values (TLV) for 10 mL air samples collected in 1 min, and response patterns that enhanced vapor recognition. The determination of a 17-VOC mixture in the presence of seven interferences was performed in 4 min. Results augur well for adapting the microsystem to an all-MEMS wearable uGC currently under parallel development. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Safety Volatile Organic Compounds Volatilization
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Gas Chromatography Equipment Design Gas Chromatography Micro-GC Microsystem Mixtures Monitors Sensor Array Vapor Detectors VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds

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• ISSN:
  2055-7434
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055716
• Citation:
  Microsyst Nanoeng 2018 Apr; 4:17101
• Contact Point Address:
  Edward T. Zellers, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
• Email:
  ezellers@umich.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20130901
• Source Full Name:
  Microsystems & Nanoengineering
• End Date:
  20170831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3c90dd3446c47ca435425c319d1e6ea56094db98b0ff9991138d2b780fdd4c7ca5dccc4b70c1c93a54731899468fcb77718b78c9d1f0707e2889139ec8e752ec
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/213500/cdc_213500_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.25 MB ]