The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Phase I SBIR grant to Synkera Technologies for the development of a miniature sensor for detecting carbon dioxide
The proposed sensor is a novel, solid-state device capable of monitoring CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
The sensors can be used individually or, ultimately, may be used in a network of many sensors in order to enhance understanding of carbon dioxide fluxes in the atmosphere.
The sensors will be based on Synkera's unique anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanoporous microsensor platform.
Synkera's unique ability to controllably define the nanoscale architecture of the AAO to precise specifications, and to micro machine this material into unique shapes are key enabling technologies for the proposed sensor.
The proposed sensor will overcome some of the limitations associated with 'microhotplates' prepared via silicon Mems, by providing high thermal stability and very high surface area.
Some of the key features Synkera will target for these sensors include good sensitivity - resolution of 1ppm CO2; good selectivity - insensitive to other environmental gases (CO, NOx); environmental stability - performance over wide range of temperatures and humidity ranges; low power - operation of the sensor at less than 100mW power consumption; low cost - solid state technology applied to existing techniques for mass production; compatible for networking - mesh networks and distributed networks of sensors should be possible.
