You are here

Portable Sensor for Rapid In Situ Measurement of Trace Toxic Metals in Water

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX11CF72P
Agency Tracking Number: 104298
Amount: $99,988.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X3.03
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-02-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-09-29
Small Business Information
MA
Newton, MA 02466-1311
United States
DUNS: 066594979
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Badawi Dweik
 Principal Investigator
 (781) 529-0520
 bdweik@ginerinc.com
Business Contact
 Anthony LaConti
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (781) 529-0501
Email: alaconti@ginerinc.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Water is one of the most crucial provisions that astronauts need to live and work in space, whether orbiting Earth, working at a lunar base or traveling to Mars. For long-duration human missions, drinking water can come from a variety of sources including treated humidity condensate, urine, hygiene water or makeup sources (e.g., water brought up from the ground or obtained through fuel cells). There are concerns that reclaimed water may contain trace toxic metals and/or the recovery and treatment processes may result in corrosion and leaching of metals during storage (methods for spacecraft guidelines). As a result, these systems must be continually monitored to ensure the health of the crew.The overall objective of the proposed program is to develop a field compatible electrochemical sensor for the identification and measurement of trace heavy metals in the water. Phase I will investigate the optimal design configuration, electrode configuration, and operating conditions, which willenhance sensitivity and enable reproducible detection of the dissolved compounds such as cadmium, nickel, silver and zinc in water. The proposed process can be carried out rapidly without the use of dangerous chemicals and will fulfill NASA's need.

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

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government