SBIR-STTR Award

Real-Time Ethylene Sensor Based on Chemical Anisotropic Nanochannel Impedance Spectroscopy
Award last edited on: 2/20/2018

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : JPL
Total Award Amount
$124,258
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
H3.01
Principal Investigator
Thomas T Morgan

Company Information

NanoLab Inc

22 Bedford Street
Waltham, MA 02453
   (781) 609-2722
   info@nano-lab.com
   www.nano-lab.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 05
County: Middlesex

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2016
Phase I Amount
$124,258
NASA has need of a real-time sensor capable of <25ppb detection of ethylene for off-world greenhouse monitoring. NanoLab proposes the use of a fundamentally new style of sensor based off of anisotropic impedance analysis of vertically aligned nanotube arrays (VANTA). Specifically, we propose the use of chemical anisotropic nanochannel impedance spectroscopy (CANIS). This style of sensor provides up to eight degrees of analytical freedom, resulting in extreme discrimination between chemical species without requiring modification of the sensor to provide selectivity. For the particular application of ethylene sensing, NanoLab proposes the use of a carbon nanotube based CANIS sensor, sensitized to improve the interaction of ethylene with the surface, using either a metal or metal organic coating, in order to lower the limit of detection. The sensor will be self-referencing to minimize drift, and will be capable of simultaneously monitoring other relevant species, such as water, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ammonia without interference to the detection of ethylene. The sensor will be lightweight, and have a footprint of 1cm x 1cm.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
----
Phase II Amount
----