SBIR-STTR Award

High-Sensitivity, Miniaturized CO Sensor for Airborne Use on Small UAVs
Award last edited on: 3/5/2019

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOC : NOAA
Total Award Amount
$520,000
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
8.3.5R
Principal Investigator
Darby B Makel

Company Information

Makel Engineering Inc (AKA: MEI)

1585 Marauder Street
Chico, CA 95973
   (530) 895-2770
   N/A
   www.makelengineering.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 01
County: Butte

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2016
Phase I Amount
$120,000
The team of Makel Engineering, Inc. Fifth Gait Technologies, TruWeather Solutions proposes to develop a novel, high sensitivity, fast response, solid state, electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor for use in small UAVs which is capable of PPB level atmospheric measurements. The sensor is based on a thick film multi-element potentiometric micro sensor approach which has been developed by MEI. Using the same sensor design approach MEI has recently developed a highly sensitive and selective CO sensor capable of low PPB measurements for use in early fire detection and exhaust emissions. Using this novel, miniaturized sensor developed by MEI, our team proposes to develop a rugged, low cost, compact, flight capable CO sensor system payload for small UAVs which will include flight packaging, air sampling system, and control electronics.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2017
Phase II Amount
$400,000
The team of Makel Engineering, Inc. (MEI), TruWeather Solutions, LLC., and Latitude Engineering, LLC. propose to develop a novel, high sensitivity, fast response, solid state, electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor system for use in small UAVs which is capable of PPB level atmospheric measurements. The sensor is based on a thick film multi-element potentiometric micro sensor approach which has been developed by MEI. Phase I demonstrated a rugged prototype sensor system with a response time under one second and capable of measuring PPB levels of carbon monoxide. In Phase II, the sensor system will be matured into a flight capable CO sensor payload for small UAVs which will include flight packaging, air sampling systems, and control electronics. In Phase II multiple complete units will be fabricated and flight tested.