Universally Networked Sensor for Carbon Dioxide Measurement

Human consumption of energy, particularly from fossil fuels, continues to grow, increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide and other carbon-based gases. Accurate, universal measurement techniques are needed for the in situ monitoring of carbon in large ecosystems. (These ecosystems may vary in scale over large ecoforests, agricultural fields, and industrial zones; be subject to a varitety of weather and environmental conditions; and be in distant remote areas.) To address this need, this project will develop an inexpensive (about 500 dollars), extremely efficient (about 25 microwatts), robust, scalable wireless network of individual, accurate (0.5 part per million) carbon dioxide sensors. The network will be suitable for remote operation, and will run for months on two standard AA batteries. The wirelessly interogated sensors, which would be 1-2 kilometers apart in forests or open areas, will be integrated into a simple network and will report to a ground-based or airborne network manager that collects the data from numerous sensor nodes. Phase I will establish the feasibility of this next-generation, sensor network system through an experimental proof-of-concept demonstration, based on inexpensive optical components, standardized electronics, and wireless interfaces. Specifically, a cardon dioxide, optical-sensor breadboard will be developed in the laboratory to demonstrate sensor sensitivity of 0.5 part per million or better, while using low power sensor network electronics and wireless communication. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: The new scalable wireless network of sensitive sensors should provide more versatile measurements and significantly better quantification of carbon dioxide sequestration. The network¿s scalability and efficiency should form a solid base for developing other wireless sensors in the chemical, mining, steel, energy producing, and waste management industries, and in agricultural and environmental monitoring. Additional commercial opportunities may exist in local security systems, providing municipalities with water/air/acoustic control and access in the event of structural, fire, and intrusion damage.