FeDORA - Fentanyl Detection with Optimized Recognition Algorithms

IonicScale LLC is developing a handheld chemical sensor based on ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). The chemical analyzer has proven sub-isotopic mass resolution for gas phase analysis. For this project, it is proposed to demonstrated basic feasibility to extend the device's capability to sampling of solids (e.g., pills, powders, or other swabbed materials). In addition, the proposed effort will implement machine-learning based models to accurately classify previously unseen synthetic narcotics (e.g., novel synthetics in the fentanyl family). The various models' performance levels will be explored and optimized within the context of real-world sensor signal characteristics, trained using publicly available MS fragmentation spectral libraries which are compatible with IonicScale's sensor technology.
This Phase I project will be an important first step to developing a user-friendly, ultra-portable chemical detection technology that is capable of both detecting known (library) compounds and classifying novel analog compounds in one device with low rates of false alarm. These general capabilities will be a valuable tool in Safety and Security and Environmental monitoring applications.