Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been developed as an instrumental analytical technique for detecting and identifying volatile organic compounds based upon the mobilities of gas phase ions in weak electric fields. The major advantages of IMS have been the small size, low weight and low power requirements of ion mobility spectrometers and consequently there have been some conspicuous applications of portable IMS analyzers. These have included the detection of chemical warfare agents in battlefield venues, the screening of hydrazines on spacesuits aboard the US space shuttle and the monitoring of explosives in specialized venues.
The core of Dr. Eiceman's research program is the exploration of ion-molecule gas phase reactions at ambient pressure in order to develop predictive models of the creation of ion mobility spectra. These studies presently involve the kinetics of thermal decomposition of proton-bound cluster ions in air. Secondary interests include the advancement of instrumentation and drift tube technology for IMS and selected applications in environmental venues. Separation sciences with gas chromatography constitutes another area of interest.