Ion Mobility Spectrometry: Arriving on Site and Moving beyond a Low Profile

Trends in the development of ion mobility spectrometry are reviewed. A discussion of general principles of operation includes an overview and examines drift tube technology and ionization and response. A discussion of the scope of applications examines detection and characterization of single substances and complex mixtures. The technology that permitted the development of hand-held instruments is reviewed. A discussion of barriers to hand-held ion mobility spectrometers includes gas-phase chemistry, ion characterization and separation, sample inlets, bacterial assays by ion mobility spectrometry, databases and artificial intelligence, and ion sources. Directions for future applications and research are examined.