Breath Collection by Peltier Cooled Channels, Analysis by GC×GC MS and Development of Chemical Ion Sensing for Agricultural Farm Waste

Our research team is working on the development of chemical sensors for health and agriculture which make use MEMS technology and the application of multidimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS). The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaled breath are typically collected using a sorbent-based preconcentration device, which is then thermally desorbed by a thermal desorption unit (TDU) and analyzed by GC×GC-MS. Water vapor extraction from human exhaled breath is critical for breath analysis, enabling lower humidity interference in volatile compound sensing and separate analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC). We have implemented a novel Peltier based cooled channel which provides simultaneous collection of the EBC and VOC fraction of breath samples.
Recycling of waste streams from agricultural sources can help reduce cost and minimize environmental impact. A portable ion analysis system would provide on-site analysis of waste composition, such as waste from a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feed Operation) and waste from a waste-water treatment plants. Several low-cost, proof-of-concept capillary electrophoresis setups are presented. Poultry samples were then analyzed to identify anion concentration levels. Sample clean up and filtration is part of our on-going work to further automate the analysis process.