Compact, Portable Ammonia Sensors for Animal Health and Well-being

The animal industry plays a crucial role in supplying essential protein products. Detecting ammonia levels is of paramount importance within animal production settings as elevated ammonia concentrations can pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of animals (with limits set at 35 ppm for short-term exposure and 300 ppm for immediate life-threatening exposure). Unfortunately existing commercial ammonia detectors are either prohibitively expensive (priced at approximately $75000) or lack durability. Spectral Energies and the University of Tennessee are collaborating to develop a portable durable and cost-effective optical-based absorption sensor. These sensors will be engineered to accurately detect ammonia levels of less than 1 part per million (< 1 ppm) while maintaining a highly competitive hardware cost target of under $1000 per sensor after the completion of Phase II. To achieve this ambitious goal our team will conduct rigorous testing of the diode laser absorption sensor during Phase I to attain the desired detection limit. In Phase II we plan to explore even more cost-effective light sources such as LEDs or laser diodes. This proposed sensor holds immense potential within the global poultry healthcare market and the broader industry safety market. We anticipate first-year sales revenue of $0.5 million equivalent to 500 units sold and anticipate a 20% annual growth rate. Over the initial decade of commercialization we project a total sales revenue of $13 million with approximately 15000 units sold.