A Novel Device and Methodology for Detection and Quantitative Measurement of Fugitive Methane Releases

Aether seeks to commercialize a unique biomimetic chemical sensor capable of discriminating between various gases in the atmosphere and specifically capable of discriminating greenhouse gases from ordinary atmospheric pollutants. The proposed detection approach is based on a methodology developed at the Naval Research Laboratory and licensed to Aether. Our infrared-based sensor achieves high selectivity by mimicking how the human eye distinguishes different visible colors. The eye uses the interaction between broadband visible optical filters which enable the brain to distinguish between different colors based on the relative strength of power coming from the three different optical filters. Our sensor employs three solid state infrared detector chips each covered with unique infrared optical filters. The output from the three infrared/optical filter pairs is used to identify a chemical gas based on the unique response of the three IR filter/IR detector pairs. This methodology has been successfully demonstrated to discriminate between various chemical warfare agent simulants and known battlefield interferents like ozone and other organic chemical vapors. This project will determine if this sensor and classification methodology is capable of detecting and quantifying methane gas in the atmosphere at a standoff distance (the sensor is not required to be in physical contact with the methane plume). Our research will determine the optimal filter selection required for methane detection testing and validating in a laboratory setting demonstrating specificity linearity accuracy precision range quantitation limit and elucidated detection limit.