Fast narcotics and explosives detection using a microfluidic sample interface

We introduce a novel method and system for fast detection of dust- and vapour-based narcotics and explosives traces. A micro fluidic vapour-to-liquid adsorption interface was built-in to an existing electronic nose instrument, reducing the detection time, machine size, weight, and cost. The system was successfully tested with 50 ng cocaine samples rendering 15 Hz frequency shifts and with 100 ng heroine samples rendering 50 Hz frequency shifts. Also the gravity invariance of the open liquid interface was successfully tested with the interface mounted up side down as well as vertically. The detection time was reduced to half of the time needed in commercial systems.