Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is an analytical technique that separates and identifies chemical components on the basis of drift velocity of their ions in a gas phase. The great advantage of IMS is speed: a chemical substance can be detected in a few seconds.
Physical foundations of IMS were laid down in the early of 1930s, with laboratory sensing equipment based on IMS being developed and used in the 1970s. Currently, IMS is a commonly applied detection technique and new applications continue to be developed. In addition to laboratory uses, IMS is widely deployed as a law enforcement instrument.
Eye on Air has further developed the technology with the purpose of deployment of IMS in ultra-compact, handheld vapour detection systems. Eye on Air technology to date is small in size, but offers nonetheless the sensitivity and specificity as required for instant (vapour) detection of a range of volatile and less volatile compounds.