Licensable Technologies : Security & Defense

Methanol Sensor Operated in a Passive Mode

Abstract
A sensor outputs a signal related to a concentration of methanol in an aqueous solution adjacent the sensor. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is included with an anode side and a cathode side. An anode current collector supports the anode side of the MEA and has a flow channel therethrough for flowing a stream of the aqueous solution and forms a physical barrier to control access of the aqueous solution to the anode side of the MEA. A cathode current collector supports the cathode side of the MEA and is configured for air access to the anode side of the MEA to oxidize methanol transported through a membrane portion of the MEA to the cathode side. A current sensor is shorted across the MEA to provide an output signal functionally related to the concentration of methanol in the aqueous solution.

IP Status: Available for Non-Exclusive Licensing

Reference Number: 489

S Number: DOE reference no.(s): 94,685

Patents & Applications:
United States National Patent Number 6488837 Issued on 12/03/2002

Posted: 10-27-2004

Contact
Laura Barber
Technology Transfer Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
P.O. Box 1663, MailStop C334
(505) 667-9266
ljbb@lanl.gov