Award Data

The EPA has identified a need for new methods and instrumentation to characterize size, shape, and composition of microplastics, especially in the size range of 1 µm – 1 mm. To meet the needs identified by EPA, we propose development of a portable sensor for improved microplastic sampling and characterization useable at remote measurement sites or fixed installations. The sensor would be connec ...

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the six "criteria" pollutants listed in the Clean Air Act that are regulated under the EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). SO2 is the most abundant anthropogenic sulfur compound in the troposphere, and is mainly emitted through coal and petroleum combustion, petroleum refining, and metal smelting operations. Although national ambient air quality trend ...

To monitor the freshness of fresh produce in storage and during transportation, we propose using a gas sensor based on swept]wavelength broadly tunable external cavity quantum cascade lasers (EQCCLs).These sensors detect, identify, and quantify multiple chemical species in the airspace near the sensor continuously and in real]time, with part]per]billion level sensitivity. The sensors will ...

The use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect contaminants such as solvents, fuels, and pesticides in soil and water samples is now well established. Although ELISA and related methods can facilitate analysis of samples, several washing and separation steps are involved that require 30 to 120 minutes per sample to reach equilibrium. Recently, near infrared fluorescence immunoassa ...

A number of industrial processes generate wastewater with mercury contamination. Existing cleanup processes have difficulties in achieving low mercury discharge limits, especially in the presence of competing metal ions already below their discharge limits. Commercial ion exchange media are not selective for mercury, so other metal ions compete with mercury for binding sites. Consequently, excess ...

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Developments in on-site spent solvent recovery have implications for reducedenvironmental pollution in the dry cleaning, furniture and paint manufacturingindustries as well as in a range of commercial services. Effluents from solventrecovery operations include fugitive emissions, vent stack gases and water/solvent mixtures. At present, the scale of solvent-recovery operations incertain industrie ...

The use of multi-component waste products provides an opportunity to produce aroofing material with an excellent balance of cost and properties. Simulatedslate tiles comprised of fly ash, other reinforcing filler, and thermoset hybridresin have been modelled. Based on initial market reactions to preliminary cost,physical properties data, and appearance, this application appears promising.Ecomat ...

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