Accurate Micro-Amperometric CO2 Gas Sensor for Indoor Air Quality and Building Control Network

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses development of a new, disruptive strategy for direct measurement of CO2 in air. The project will focus on development of an amperometric CO2 sensor with advanced electrolytes and novel electrode catalyst materials that will enable for the first time the direct measurement of CO2 in air by inexpensive methods, potentially displacing NDIR for CO2 measurement in building interior environments and other applications. The objectives of the Phase I program will include identification and testing of new electrode catalysts for CO2 measurement, identification of new electrolyte media to promote amperometric measurement of CO2 and demonstration of a novel, printed sensor which is not only ultralow power and very small, but able to measure CO2 in air directly in an inexpensive and potentially highly distributable format compatible with modern “Internet of Things” wireless applications. This SBIR Phase I proposal addresses development of a new, amperometric CO2 sensing technology that combines novel electrochemical electrolytes and cost-effective, screen-printed gas sensing devices to provide a new tool to support building air quality and energy efficiency. In Phase I, KWJ will select novel electrolytes and electrode materials for efficient CO2 monitoring in air and will fabricate printed amperometric gas sensors based on these materials. The sensors will be characterized and tested for a suite of key gas sensor performance parameters under relevant environmental conditions. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The proposed technology represents a fundamentally enabling and disruptive approach to CO2 monitoring that leverages the current market pull toward ubiquitous sensing. New, improved CO2 monitoring methods that reduce production cost and improve sensitivity will provide broad measurement alternatives in a variety of fields. In addition to the subject market of building AQ and HVAC control, a number of other large markets that rely on CO2 measurements, including the food and beverage, medical diagnostic, ventilation control systems will benefit greatly from the cost reduction and performance improvements in CO2 monitoring. When commercialized, the proposed low cost, low power, high performance technology will find broad use in a variety of applications, many of which are of significant societal benefit, including studies of atmospheric carbon cycles, carbon pollution mitigation and the design of energy efficient commercial and residential green building ventilation control systems. Key Words: amperometric, gas, sensor, screen printed, carbon, dioxide