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EX-BEAMS Ltd. is pleased to provide a technical update on its HI-IMS (high throughput ion mobility spectrometry) detection capability. Recently, EX-Beams conducted a series of sensing trials, using our existing detection device, against a range of high value target materials.

The trial results confirm the operating viability of our novel high throughput IMS technology.

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Technology

Ion mobility spectrometry is one of the most widely used techniques for trace detection of explosives and other illicit material. The purpose of an IMS device is to analyze air and rapidly detect explosives or other items of interest that may be present in the form of vapour or airborne particulates. Existing IMS technology analyzes air which is drawn into an ionization chamber where electrons interact with the incoming air molecules to form positive or negative ions. The IMS device measures the difference in the speed of ionic motion (in an applied external electric field), determines the ion type and subsequently identifies it.

EX-Beams, instead of trying to "miniaturize" the IMS detector, have pursued a different design. A design that eliminates the need for drift tubes, one that can handle a high throughput of air and with outstanding sensitivity. This has been achieved by developing new device geometry that allows us to have a larger IMS detector. Our approach means (1) larger ionization volume therefore a higher number of the targeted trace molecules will be analyzed, (2) a broader detection area thus more ionized targeted molecules will be detected and (3) the possibility to organize a high flow rate of air.