NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION

FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY

PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 13.02-8814 (Chron: 001187 )
PROJECT TITLE
Miniaturized Carbon Monoxide Sonde for Small Aerial Platforms

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a valuable tracer in atmospheric studies. For example, in the study of stratosphere/troposphere exchange, it is possible to differentiate between stratospheric or tropospheric origins of air parcels based on carbon monoxide content. Carbon monoxide also serves as an excellent tracer of anthropogenic air pollution in the troposphere.
QEI Technologies proposes to develop a miniaturized CO sonde suitable for use on a variety of small aerial platforms including balloons and RPVs. The device will be based on a related design developed by the Principal Investigator for use on tethered kites and balloons. The sensor will be based on the principle of a reducing gas detector, but with significant new modifications to the instrument layout and chemistry. These changes will greatly reduce the size, mass, and power consumption of the new detector in contrast to previous designs. The new design will also be far more user-friendly and require very little maintenance in contrast with its predecessors.
Phase I work will focus on demonstrating the nontraditional design improvements incorporated into the CO sonde design. Phase II work would involve finalizing the design as well as extensive field trials with several prototypes.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
CO sondes would be of use in a variety of atmospheric research programs, including studies of photochemical air pollution, stratosphere/troposphere exchange, and satellite verification programs. Furthermore, the CO sonde would be well-suited for use on any small aerial platform, including RPVs, UAVs, light aircraft, and balloon sondes. This is a unique market niche not currently addressed by any sensor manufacturer.
The CO sonde could also be adapted to serve as a low-cost benchtop CO monitor. This version would find its largest market niche as part of regional air quality monitoring networks. As this CO monitor would be far more inexpensive than existing non-dispersive infrared instruments, it would be possible to equip more stations with CO monitors than can be afforded today.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Dr. John Bognar
QEI Technologies, Inc
2715 S. St Paul
Denver , CO 80210 - 6428

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
QEI Technologies, Inc.
2715 S. St Paul
Denver , CO 80210 - 6428