Low-Cost and Lightweight Polymet Nanowire Microelectronic Sensor Device for Trace Level Detection of CO2

Improved CO2 measurement technology is needed to achieve better characterization and understanding of the carbon transformations of soil, vegetation, and associated ecosystem components and exchanges with the atmosphere. This project will develop and test a low-cost, lightweight, miniaturized, polymer-nanowire-based electronic sensor for determining CO2 gas concentration in soil. These devices will utilize electrochemically-grown polymer nanowires between microscale, photolithographically-patterned electrode junctions. The instrument would provide CO2 measurements that are fast and reliable compared to existing techniques and devices. The sensor device would be highly sensitive, miniaturized, rugged, long-lasting and cost-effective. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The polymer nanowire CO2 sensor would help DOE achieve cost savings by optimizing the utilization of resources for carbon cycle measurements of the atmosphere and biosphere. Such a device should find use in a variety of applications, including firefighting, hazardous material response, hazardous material workers, industrial safety workers (e.g., coal miners, steel workers, etc.), and industrial confined space monitoring.