EEC & Duke University Developing Portable Mass Spectrometer to Detect Methane

Landisville, PA (December 21, 2017) ─ Electron Energy Corporation (EEC), an expert developer and leading producer of rare earth magnet solutions, is collaborating with Duke University to develop a portable mass spectrometer to detect methane.

Duke University is developing a portable miniature mass spectrometer for the Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) program, which is funded by U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (APRA-E).  EEC conducted the magnetic circuit design and development of a dipole magnet using Nd-Fe-B magnet and SS416 plates.  The entire assembly weights approximately 8kg.  The magnetic field strength in the interested volume measured 0.307T vs. 0.3T of FEA estimate.  The field variation was minimized up to 0.004T after passive shimming, which provided improved field uniformity and better imagining in cycloidal mass analyzers.  Furthermore, this magnet design could be useful in other applications where a highly uniform field is desired such as desktop MRI.

EEC both produces and machines high performance permanent magnet solutions for the world’s most demanding applications.  Many of the unique processes required to both produce and machine permanent magnet materials can present injury risks to operators if not properly designed.  Over the last 45 years EEC has continuously focused on making its operation as safe as possible.  As a result of this collective effort of the entire team, EEC has developed “best-in-class” manufacturing processes that optimize safety and bring the highest level of value to our customers.  Thank you to all the EEC employees who worked so hard to make this possible!

EEC is a fully integrated US supplier that develops and produces custom Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) and Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) sintered permanent magnets, Alnico magnets, Ceramic magnets, assemblies and systems. Founded in 1970, they are experts at providing rare earth permanent magnets for aerospace, military, medical, electronics, motion control and instrumentation applications. Known for their ability to precisely control material compositions, they partner with customers as a virtual 'in-house' source of magnet technology.