Advanced Sensor to Identify and Quantify Contaminants in Cockpit Air

This Phase I project will focus on the development of a suite of sensors for detection of cockpit air pollutants including fuel vapor, hydraulic fluid, heat exchanger fluid, carbon monoxide, particle debris and smoke. The sensors will be based upon advances in nanotechnology and ceramic micromachining. The sensors will be based upon a combination of technologies including catalytic and chemiresistance measurements. Synkera’s unique nanoporous, micromachined sensing platform offers advantages in cost, size, power consumption and overall sensor performance including reliability, sensitivity and selectivity. These sensors, together with commercial off the shelf components (COTS) where applicable, will be capable of detecting, identifying and quantifying all of the potential cockpit pollutants listed above. Detection of these pollutants in the cockpit may provide an early warning of system failures, and will also warn the pilot of pollutants before levels are reached that could lead to pilot incapacitation.