Gas sampling & analysis on-the-go
What Is
PRIMOSAMP &
PRIMOSENS?
Since 1950, gas chromatography remains the top choice among laboratory techniques for complex gas-mixture analysis. Until now, these systems could be as largeas a table.
CEA-Leti, a specialist in microtechnologies, is introducing two highly miniaturized and low-cost gas sampling
and analysis lab-on-chip systems that fit in the hand:
- PRIMOSAMP: samples gas into a removable cartridge. User can then inject the sample in any gas chromatograph.
- PRIMOSENS: samples gas into a removable cartridge and performs a gas chromatography analysis.
Applications: Air-quality and environmental monitoring
- Defense and security
- Process monitoring
- Breath analysis
- Protecting workers from breathing dangerous gas
- Automotive
What’s new?
PRIMOSAMP and PRIMOSENS are based on several innovations:
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Low-cost solution: cost divided by 10 due to collective fabrication
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Low-power solution: lower thermal capacity. Battery powered, both devices require 100x less energy than conventional gas chromatography systems
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Easy to use: no gas bottle needed, meaning no maintenance required
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Handheld device: highly miniaturized
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Performance: lower sampling volume and detection in the ppb range
CEA-Leti’s PRIMO devices leverage miniaturized silicon technology bricks, such as micro-preconcentrators, micro-valves, micro-columns and micro-detectors.
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PRIMOSAMP includes a micro-preconcentrator chip, a 12V battery and a commercial miniaturized gas pump
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PRIMOSENS includes a CEA-Leti micro-preconcentrator and micro-thermal conductivity detector (μTCD), as well as a 12V battery, a commercial miniaturized gas pump and a gas chromatography column
What’s Next?
- Develop a new generation detectors for increased sensitivity
- Address new healthcare applications such as breath sampling and analysis
- Study the extension of PRIMOSAMP & PRIMOSENS into the high-end
consumer market
- Scale down the system
- Develop an embedded recognition algorithm
- Pioneer new absorbent material for pre-concentration