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It this episode, we discuss advanced fentanyl detection devices like the MX908 with Dr. Mark Norman of 908 Devices.
Complete Show Notes
00:50 Introduction to Dr. Mark Norman
- Started back in 2001 with a company out of Danbury, CT called SensIR Technologies – known for the TravelIR, which was the first portable infrared identifier
- TravelIR played a huge role in identifying white powders and was particularly helpful during a time of white powder scares (i.e. anthrax)
- He’s been working with a lot of different emerging technologies over the past 16 years as they enter the field
- Currently Director of Technical Services at 908 Devices – runs the training and customer service group
- Also responsible for a lot of field activities with M908 and MX908 identifiers
2:00 Background on 908 Devices’ MX908
- High-pressure mass spectrometry unit that identifies materials based on their mass patterns
- Designed for downrange use in the hot zone – geared towards being a threat detector that lets you know what’s present
- Trace detector, rather than a bulk one – can detect threat materials like fentanyl at very low levels
- Works well alongside infrared, Raman, colorimetric, and other meters
- Measures fentanyl at nanogram levels – lethal dose of fentanyl is 2 milligrams
- Drug hunter mission mode (referred to by 908 Devices as an app)
- Fine-tuned on both the firmware (ionization capabilities and software side
- Uses a process called collusion-induced dissociation (CID)
- Ionizes the fentanyl molecule and hits it with more energy to ionize it again – repeats this process until the molecule breaks apart
- Breaks the molecule down into a bunch of fragments that are very unique from one another
- MX908 can identify these fragments with extreme precision and accuracy
8:25 Feedback from MX908 Users
- Especially popular in the Northeast – fentanyl epidemic here
- Everyone says the MX908 is doing an excellent job at identifying fentanyl on the street
- 908 Devices’ reach back service offers 24/7 support, which has also been very popular
- Reach back team is comprised of around one dozen PhDs and chemists – they can confirm your results or provide additional information
- Make sure you’ve downloaded the latest update that was released in December – continues to get better and better
14:00 Situational Awareness When Using Our Meters
- On the street, we’re measuring fentanyl based on its relationship with cutting agents
- Infrared and Raman are great for bulk identification, but they can’t see the low levels you can with mass spec
- When we’re dealing with fentanyl, we don’t care about the cutting agent – this isn’t true with cocaine or heroin, though
18:15 Keeping Up with New Developments in the World of Fentanyl
- There are around 1,400 potential fentanyl analogues, 600 of which are very toxic
- There are lots of fentanyl salts out there, too, some of which are found in OTC medications
- MX908 is indifferent to salts or other substances and only measures the free base
- There are around a dozen fentanyl forms in the MX908’s library – there are 50-60 identifiable forms
- One of 908 Devices’ partners is getting around 90 more fentanyl forms to add to the library
- 908 Devices has fentanyl precursors in their library, too – these substances are very important, and we need to know how to identify them
26:20 Where to Learn More
- Check out the fentanyl page on 908 Devices’ website – lots of helpful resources available
- You can also find 908 Devices at major hazmat conferences
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