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Improved Combustion Products Monitor for the ISS

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2012 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
114245 		Solicitation Year:
2011 		Solicitation Topic Code:
X3.03 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
Southwest Sciences, Inc.
1570 Pacheco Street, Suite E-11 Santa Fe, NM -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2012
Title: Improved Combustion Products Monitor for the ISS
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX12CE02P
Award Amount: $125,000.00
 

Abstract:

The Compound Specific Analyzer - Combustion Products is used on the International Space Station as a warning monitor of smoldering or combustion events and, after any fire event, to indicate that toxic gas levels have subsided for safe re-entry of the crew to the affected area. This monitor is being phased out of service.Southwest Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a replacement laser-based sensor using wavelength modulation spectroscopic absorption. This device would be capable of real-time measurements of the four most important gases of interest at concentration levels relevant to pre-combustion events and with a one second response time. This battery-operated device would be hand-held, use very little electrical power, and have a multi-year lifetime without the need for consumables, re-calibration, or maintenance, in contrast to the currently-used sensor.The Phase I research would perform a trade study and then test the most promising opto-mechanical designs for making simultaneous measurements of the four gases in a single optical cell with a minimal number of lasers. It would also demonstrate the ability to make multiple gas measurements over a wide range of concentrations using a single spectral scan. This work will allow us to design, test and build a prototype sensor in Phase II.

Principal Investigator:

Joel A. Silver
Principal Investigator
5059841322
jsilver@swsciences.com

Business Contact:

Alan C. Stanton
President
5059841322
astanton@swsciences.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Southwest Sciences, Inc.
1570 Pacheco Street, Suite E-11 Santa Fe, NM -

EIN/Tax ID: 850340320
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No