SBIR-STTR Award

Indoor Formaldehyde Detection by a Low-Cost Chemical Sensor Based on Organic Nanofibers
Award last edited on: 7/10/2018

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
EPA
Total Award Amount
$399,606
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
16-NCER-1A
Principal Investigator
Douglas W Later

Company Information

VaporSens LLC (AKA: Vaporsens Inc)

615 Arapeen Drive Suite 102
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
   (925) 705-1225
   info@vaporsens.com
   www.vaporsens.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 02
County: Salt Lake

Phase I

Contract Number: EPD17032
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
2017
Phase I Amount
$100,000
Need: Formaldehyde comes from a number of indoor sources and is carcinogenic. Vaporsens is offering a sensor capable of detecting formaldehyde at low concentrations (50 ppb) at an affordable price point (~$100)._x000D_ _x000D_ Technical Feasibility: Vaporsens organic nanofiber have been developed for a number of applications, including detecting explosives, narcotics, toxic industrial chemicals, and chemical warfare agents. Sensors demonstrated high sensitivity (down to low parts per trillion) and minimal interference from the environment._x000D_ _x000D_ Applications: formaldehyde monitoring in homes and manufacturing facilities, formaldehyde measurements for quantifying air pollution_x000D_ _x000D_ Users: consumers, manufacturers, regulators, government, environmental researchers_x000D_ _x000D_ Evidence of Willing Buyers: Vaporsens has conducted over 200 interviews with potential customers. Many require the ability to detect formaldehyde at low concentrations._x000D_ _x000D_ Potential Market Size: $4B is the estimated current market for indoor air quality monitoring in the U.S._x000D_ _x000D_ Performance Compared to Other Technologies: Certain technologies (e.g., electrochemical cells) meet performance requirements, but not at the required price point. Vaporsens will deliver comparable performance at a lower cost._x000D_ _x000D_ Environmental

Benefits:
Fromaldehyde monitoring indoors could alert building occupants to take action when concentration exceeds a certain threshold to create a cleaner indoor environment. Increased consumer awareness might lead industry to decrease use of formaldehyde, reducing overall emissions.

Phase II

Contract Number: 68HERD19C0002
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
2018
Phase II Amount
$299,606
Need: People are exposed to formaldehyde, a carcinogen found in building materials. Highly sensitive, real-time formaldehyde sensors would improve human safety by alerting users to harmful concentrations. _x000D_