Grantee Research Project Results
Ultra-low Power CO2 Sensor for Intelligent Building Control
EPA Contract Number: EPD13026Title: Ultra-low Power CO2 Sensor for Intelligent Building Control
Investigators: Carter, Michael T.
Small Business: KWJ Engineering, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: May 15, 2013 through November 14, 2013
Project Amount: $80,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Green Buildings
Description:
The proposed EPA SBIR Phase I program will create a novel ultra-low power and low-cost microfabricated CO2 sensor. The initial developments of sensor technology will serve the very large Demand Controlled Ventilation market that has been identified by KWJ and its collaborators. Phase I is dedicated to design, fabrication and testing of the innovative system consisting of a unique MEMS sensor, discreet electronic components and proprietary “smart” algorithm. Phase II will construct and beta test several prototypes, and Phase III will be supported by commercialization activities. This program is important to overall energy conservation as well as improving productivity and human comfort in buildings in the United States and around the world. Further, the sensor itself is “green” because it uses far less and fewer materials, and provides substantial power savings because it uses 100 times less power than current CO2 sensors. Because of the small size of the sensor, it also has a response time measured in microseconds with improved sensitivity. Additional applications will be possible for the basic science and engineering advancements made in this SBIR effort. Synergy and leveraging with existing KWJ projects and technology capabilities will help make rapid progress. This work has significant potential to be disruptive in the indoor air quality market and represents a significant advancement over state-of-the-art. Since this work is in the mainstream of KWJ’s core competency and market strategies, it will have high priority within the company.
Supplemental Keywords:
sensor technology, Demand Controlled Ventilation, CO2 sensorProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.