An integrated approach to chemical microsystems: A state-of-the-art assessment

For FY97, the LDRD National Grand Challenges Investment Area initiated three new projects with the goal of developing an integrated approach to chemical microsystems. Collectively, these projects promise to deliver a distributed system of fully integrated, autonomous chemical sensor microsystems (e.g., a handheld or smaller device to detect explosives in airports or chemical warfare agents in the battle field) and the microscience foundation to extend this concept to a wide range of applications. Reaching this goal will require research, development and integration over a wide range of technologies; some that have already been demonstrated and others that do not yet existence. This report documents the completion of the first project task: an assessment of the science and technology base needed to achieve the overall goals. The report is comprised of ten separate assessments, each focused on specific technology areas that were identified as having critical impact on the development of integrated chemical microsystems. Technical staff throughout SNL contributed to these assessments. Each section addresses the state of current technological developments in that technical area and forecasts the future science and technology needed to drive toward higher levels of miniaturization and integration in these systems. This report provides an important guide more » to the technical investments needed to achieve the National Grand Challenge goals in addition to clearly identifying valuable partnering opportunities with industry, university and other national laboratories. The ten areas of evaluation are: sampling, preconcentration, and separation; pumps, valves, plumbing; optical detection; acoustic detection; other detection approaches; power sources; data analysis; packaging and assembly; analog/digital microelectronics; and mobile platforms. « less