Drs Mitch Rubenstein and Anthony Qualley, USAF, Dayton OH
Our team develops new sampling media that can collect multiple classes of organic compounds. Preliminary data have demonstrated success at simultaneously collecting volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile compounds. We have examined techniques that are available commercially. While multiple techniques are available (LCMS, GCMS, etc.), we determined a novel technique was required. In conjunction with Syft and GERSTEL a one-of-a-kind instrument has been developed that can simultaneously meet most of our objectives. This hybrid instrument has the capability to thermally extract media directly into a mass spectrometer eliminating the use of chromatographic columns. In this manner, we were able to observe a wide array of compounds that normally would require a large number of techniques. We show data for amino alcohols, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, etc. Using SIFT-MS also allows the observation of low molecular weight compounds such as methanol and formaldehyde that would normally fall outside the range of conventional mass spectrometry. Cleared for public distribution: 88ABW-2020-2280.
Dr. Rubenstein earned his Doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. From 1978 to 2009, he held various positions in the private and public sectors, gaining expertise in environmental and industrial hygiene methods. In 2009, Dr. Rubenstein was hired by the US Air Force to manage its industrial hygiene lab, and since 2014 has been dedicated to research for Force Health Protection.
Dr Qualley received his PhD from Purdue University. Beginning work as a contractor with the U.S. Air Force in 2015, Dr Qualley has worked on a variety of projects centered on the use of mass-spectrometry tools for biomarker discovery and exposomics. Current projects drive toward optimizing passive dosimetry for VOCs through the use of new sorbent materials and the application of emerging technologies for chemical analysis.