You are here

Fabrication of Colorimetric Fiber Optic Hydrazine Sensors

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 28031
Amount: $68,429.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1995
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
10960 North Stallard Place
Tucson, AZ 85737
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Scott R. Lyon
 (602) 575-8013
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Hydrazine is a highly toxic compound that is widely used as a rocket fuel in U.S. space programs. Since very low concentrations of hydrazine are considered hazardous, there is need for sensors that are robust, cheap, sensitive and selective. Sigma Labs proposes a low cost manufacturing method for fiber optic sensors with reactive, colorimetric claddings. The coating process is characterized by a plasma cleaning and activation, followed by vapor deposition and curing of the reactive coating. A variety of reagents can be incorporated into the cladding layer. The reagents can be incorporated either as a guest or as a chemically bound reagent in a polymer matrix. A secondary, non-reactive layer can also be deposited during the process. In addition to providing increased durability and handling properties, this secondary layer may be used as a barrier layer for interfering compounds. Phase I of this project will focus on coating optical fibers with a reactive cladding that uses p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde as the reactive compound. An acrylate derivative of p-Dimethylaminobezalddehyde will also be synthesized so that comparisons can be made between the "guest-host" claddings and the chemically bound claddings. The fiber optic sensors will be tested in an absorbance mode and a phase-modulated mode.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government