Selective Adsorption Membranes for the Production of Enriched Air

65144 Compact, rugged, lightweight, low-power and low-cost CO2 sensors are needed to accurately measure atmospheric CO2 concentrations on high altitude-capable platforms like balloons. These sensors must measure ambient CO2 concentrations with an accuracy better than ¿1 ppm, at ambient pressures as low as 0.1 atm, and at temperatures that may fall to ¿60¿C. This project will utilize expertise in materials science, infrared spectroscopy, and advanced semiconductor process techniques to develop a new class of Micro Electrical Mechanical System (MEMS)-based ¿sensors-on-a-chip¿ for CO2 concentration measurement. As a class, these sensors are compact, rugged, use low-power, and have the potential to be very low-cost (< $20 each) when produced in large quantities. Phase I will demonstrate a lightweight, integrated CO2 concentration sensor that is self-calibrating and accurate to ¿1 ppm. Its ability to function well at the low ambient pressures and temperatures that it would encounter as a balloon-borne instrument will also be demonstrated. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: Accurate, low-cost gas sensors should have applications for environmental controls (automobiles, indoor air quality, emissions control), industrial process control (fermentation, end-point detection), and safety (carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas leaks). Existing technology does not meet all requirements at sufficiently low cost, accuracy, or lifetime.