SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase-I proposal addresses the need specified in AirForce SBIR 06.1 under the Topic Index of AF06-023 "Advanced Sensor to Identify and Quantify Contaminants in Cockpit Air". In view of the complexity of the air contaminants in aircraft cockpit, highly sensitive and selective sensor array technology is needed to achieve the effective detection and speciation. This proposed work focuses on the development of portable sensor array technology that couples with nanostructured sensing materials and pattern recognition engine which can simultaneously detect multiple targeted vapors. The phase I goal is to develop the feasibility of a portable, low-power driven, cost-effective sensor array prototype capable of detecting, identifying, and quantifying pollutants in cockpit air such as fuel vapor, carbon monoxide, and smoke. Our approach couples a new class of core-shell structured nanomaterials as array elements to chemiresistive devices in an integrated system. We will pursue the following specific objectives in the Phase I funding period: (1) design nanostructured sensing materials on chemiresistor devices; (2) testing the array nanomaterials in detecting the targeted contaminants with the desired sensitivity, selectivity, detecting limit and response speed; and (3) build a prototype integrated system with sensing arrays, pattern recognition and device miniaturization.

The development of sensor arrays is critical to the achievement of chemical fingerprinting in an environment with complex chemical species. The objective of this research project is to develop portable sensor array systems with integrated modules for targeting air contaminants in military and civilian applications. In Phase I, the feasibility of interfacing nanostructured sensing materials as chemiresistor array to a circuit board and data acquisition software was demonstrated for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The modules feature plug-and-play array, handheld hardware and laptop-based data acquisition/analysis software. The Phase II work plans to pursue advanced development of these modules towards integration and prototyping for the targeted applications. The design parameters for the array, the hardware and the software will be optimized for integration into a portable sensor array system. The sensor array system will feature compact, low-power driven, and lightweight, and cost-effectiveness. The tasks to be accomplished by NSC Technology will lead a final product in the form of a portable sensor array system for detecting VOCs and other air contaminants. The technology will also find applications by military and commercial entities for air monitoring, leak detection, and other applications involving environmental effects on human health.

Keywords:
Sensor Arrays, Portable Sensors, Nanostructured Sensing Materials, Pattern Recognition, Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Contaminants, Plug-And-Play Ar