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Self-calibrating Balloon-Borne Methane Gas Sensor

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-10ER85840
Agency Tracking Number: 95327
Amount: $1,000,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 30 b
Solicitation Number: DE-FOA-0000508
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-08-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-08-14
Small Business Information
NM Suite E-11
Santa Fe, NM 87505-3993
United States
DUNS: 153579891
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Joel Silver
 Dr.
 (505) 984-1322
 jsilver@swsciences.com
Business Contact
 Alan Stanton
Title: Dr.
Phone: (505) 984-1322
Email: astanton@swsciences.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

The release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and other anthropogenic sources is considered to be the major cause of global warming, with potentially damaging economic and environmental effects worldwide. The sources and sinks of these gases and the interactions between the troposphere and stratosphere are needed to understand global warming and help devise strategies to minimize its effects. In situ measurements of greenhouse gases have been restricted to airplane or large balloon-gondola platforms, due to the size, weight, and power requirements of current instrumentation. We propose to overcome this limitation with a fully self-calibrating, low mass greenhouse gas sensor suitable for more frequent, widespread measurement campaigns using smaller, inexpensive balloon sondes. A lightweight, inexpensive, stand-alone methane sensor suitable for balloon sonde measurements will be developed. This sensor uses a novel self-calibration method to achieve the high precision of the much larger and expensive instruments used on current airborne platforms, but will operate on a small meteorological balloon. The Phase II result of this program will be a sensor capable of measuring methane with high precision using small, inexpensive balloon sondes without the need for highly trained personnel. All of the research objectives for Phase I were successfully met. The most critical issues were determining the most effective laser delivery mode and to compare two detection methods for optimum precision, accuracy and ease of use in a balloon environment. Based on these key factors, a detailed preliminary design, including expected performance specifications, was developed. In Phase II a prototype sensor will be constructed, tested and flown using meteorological balloons. This instrument will operate autonomously and be self-calibrating. Analysis methods will be developed, tested, and refined. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: In addition to research instruments for atmospheric measurements, low cost, portable gas sensors have applications in such areas as environmental monitoring, gas leak sensing of pipelines, fire detectors for commercial and military aircraft, and process control sensors for energy and chemical production industries.

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

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