Livermore researchers prepare advanced spectrometry technology

A hearty “Go Bears!” to the staff of the U.C. Berkeley student newspaper, the Daily Californian, for bringing us news of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory’s latest success on the mass spectrometry front. Known as single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS), the approach builds on an earlier Livermore accomplishment know as bioaerosol mass spectrometry (BAMS), which boasted the ability to detect malicious biological particles suspended in air in under a minute. BAMS, however, could only detect biological weapons, so in 2005 Livermore researchers shifted gears to develop what it calls a three-in-one machine, or a universal point detection system.

“While this instrument started as a biological detector, we saw that it had the potential to do much more by detecting other threat agents, such as chemicals and explosives,” said scientist George Farquar. Funding to add such capabilities was provided by DARPA, DHS, and the Livermore Lab. Initial studies to test the performance of SPAMS with four chemical simulants were undertaken in 2006, and Livermore scientists plan a field test at a large public facility in the United States later this year — all the while upgrading the technology for removing particles from luggage and clothing, and adding the capability of detecting narcotics. “The ability of the SPAMS technology to determine the identity of a single particle could be a valuable asset when the target analyte is dangerous in small quantities or has no legal reason for being present in an environment,” said Farquar.