Project Title:

Conducting Organic Polymer Environmental Sensor

13.08-4770
Conducting Organic Polymer Environmental Sensor
Spectral Sciences Inc.
99 S. Bedford Street, #7
Burlington
MA
01803-5128
Mitchell
Zakin
(617-273-4770)
JSC

Abstract:

A sensing device is required for the detection of toxic, hypergolic propellants (hydrazine,
monomethylhydrazine, ammonia, and nitrogen tetroxide) on the surface of astronaut
spacesuits and equipment in vacuum. A toxic vapor detector will be developed applying
reagent-induced modification of the conductivity of doped, conducting polyaniline.
The goal is an inexpensive, micro-sized device that can sensitively and selectively
detect toxic hypergolic propellants. The COPES instrument would consist of two complementary
modules: a supported polymer sample with appropriate electrical connections and an
electrical measurement and data analysis unit. The basic operational principle is
that exposure of doped, conducting polyaniline to specific chemical reagents produces
changes in conductivity which are proportional to both reagent concentration and
length of exposure. Phase I will provide a laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration
of the COPES sensor and establish the design parameters for a breadboard COPES instrument
to be constructed in Phase II.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The sensor could be adapted for widespread use
in the industrial sector for monitoring atmospheric pollutants and detecting chemical
agents.