SBIR-STTR Award

Emissions and leaks of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals have immediate and serious consequences to the general public and the environment. Continuous and effective surveillance of both indoor and outdoor environments in which such emissions are highly probable is a critical step towards preventing and safely responding to such hazardous accidents. In particular, the ability to detect radioactive substances and monitor activities associated with isotope enrichment directly contributes to reducing radioactive pollution and preventing nuclear proliferation. We propose a multispecies gas sensor that can operate in long-range open path configuration with sub- millisecond time resolution. This allows a single sensor to survey a large area with the capability to monitor multiple species of interest simultaneously. Fast detection speed will allow timely interception of any moving plumes and monitor rapidly evolving emission sources. The main objective in Phase I is to demonstrate the feasibility of a rugged and compact QCL array-based sensor for remote detection of multiple chemical species commonly associated with emissions in nuclear industry enterprises. A long-range compatible telescope system will be constructed to perform remote sensing with hard targets at distances of up to 1 km. Spectrometer characterization in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, remote sensing range, and multispecies distinction capability will be performed with the prototype remote sensor. With the research and development enabled by the Phase I funding, we can thoroughly assess our sensing platform for remote sensing applications. An optimized and viable system design will be proposed by the end of Phase I, providing the foundation for construction and field tests of the improved system in Phase II. Phase III will leverage our in-house capability to reduce SWaP and improve system packaging for full commercialization of the sensor.

Emissions and leaks of toxic and hazardous chemicals have serious consequences to the general public and the environment. In particular, development of sensors that can continuously monitor trace chemicals associated with the handling and processing of nuclear materials will lead to timely detection of accidental leaks or prohibited clandestine activities. By extending the remote sensing range, measurements can be made at a safe distance and a large area can be effectively surveyed with one sensor. We propose a multispecies gas sensor that can operate in long-range open path configuration based on Pendar’s proprietary quantum cascade laser (QCL) array technology. The sensor is capable of broadband high-resolution spectral measurements in the mid-infrared, which allows sensitive and selective detection of a multitude of chemical species. The system performs spectral measurements at a speed of a few microseconds to milliseconds, which allows timely interception of moving plumes or rapidly evolving emission sources. During Phase I, we confirmed the feasibility of a QCL array-based open-path spectrometer for kilometer- range sensing. The Phase I breadboard prototype demonstrated sensing in the spectral region of 930 cm- 1-1500 cm-1 with a frequency resolution of <0.05 cm-1. Outdoor remote sensing was performed using a retroreflector with over 250-meter optical pathlength. Phase II work will focus on improving sensor stability, extending the sensing range to 1 km pathlength, and delivering a compact and fully packaged prototype that is field deployable. With Pendar’s expertise in portable sensing system development, continuing funding (sequential Phase II or Phase III) will lead to further ruggedization and improvement of the mechanical and opto-mechanical design, miniaturization of electronics, and ultimately system production and commercialization. We believe the proposed system is a versatile instrument that can be applied to applications ranging from monitoring emissions in oil refineries and processing plants to trace explosive detection.