Compact MOEMS-based gas-sampling sensors for analysis of battery offgassing

In order to satisfy the Navy’s needs for the detection and identification of volatile organic compounds and other gases relevant to the compromise of lithium-ion batteries, we propose a compact, low-cost sensor based on the integration of HgCdTe emitter and photodiode detection technologies with micro-opto-electromechanical systems (MOEMS) technology. The size/weight/power characteristics of the proposed sensor are significantly superior to current Fourier transform-based optical sensor characteristics. The sensor is operated in a stand-off mode and has longer lifetimes than those of conventional solid state sensors based on chemo-sensitive layers. MOEMS technology will be used to tune the sensor wavelength, allowing for multiple agent detection. We will perform optical, electronic and systems studies and develop pattern recognition algorithms for quantitative spectral decomposition and compound identification. We will build a characterization set-up to assess the sensitivity, selectivity, false positive rates and probability of detection. These figures of merit will be compared with those obtained in standard Fourier transform setups.