Development of a Mobile Real-Time LIBS Detection
Device
Andrew D. Sheldon and Dr. Jeremiah J. Remus
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy is an emerging technology with the ability to identify
solids, liquids, gases, and aerosols. Due to the wide range of testable materials, and the lack of a need for
sample preparation, LIBS has multiple applications. Current LIBS research projects have focused on the
identification of explosives, bio-weapons, and conflict minerals. Recent work at Duke University has
produced a real-time chemometrics toolbox capable of generating a chemical signature for specific
compounds. Despite this exciting development, and the existence of portable LIBS sensors, the
technology remains hindered by bulky computer systems and complex graphical user interfaces.
This project aims to create a simplified, mobile computing solution for LIBS systems utilizing the
work of the Duke University team. The platform will be designed to implement previously developed
algorithms and those created in the future. It will consist of an embedded computing device, capable of
interfacing with and controlling a LIBS sensor, analyzing test data in real-time, and presenting its findings
to the user.
Presently, this project is focused on development for Windows Mobile 6 under version 3.5 of the
.NET Compact Framework. Communication with the LIBS sensor is accomplished via a Bluetooth serial
connection. Differences between the architecture of handheld and larger computing devices has caused
difficulties in porting existing software to a mobile platform. However, the modularity and levels of
abstraction present in this design enables development work to proceed while new communication
software is developed.
2011, Computer Engineering, Honors Program, Dr. Jeremiah J. Remus