Grantee Research Project Results
Ultralow Power Sensor Package for Ground Level Air Pollution Levels from Wildland Fires
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC20C0053Title: Ultralow Power Sensor Package for Ground Level Air Pollution Levels from Wildland Fires
Investigators: Findlay, Melvin
Small Business: KWJ Engineering, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2022
Project Amount: $300,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2020) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Wild fires produce significant air pollution, posing health risks to first responders, residents in nearby areas, and downwind communities. Wildfires are increasing in size and intensity, and the fire season is growing longer. Technologies for measuring air pollutants, including particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide, over the wide range of levels expected in areas downwind of wildland fires are needed.
KWJ proposes to integrate low cost gas sensors and particle sensor into a single, <8oz package with the dimensions <4’’x5’’x1’ (10x12.5x2.5cm). In Phase I, we evaluated ultra-low cost printed sensors from SPEC Sensors, LLC, using a prototype low-noise electronics, and CO2 and PM sensors from other manufactures against a bench of Alphasense sensors, widely accepted as the current state-of-the-art in gas sensors and optical particle detection. In Phase II, we plan to assemble and field-test a sensor package which can be deployed in a variety of ways: worn by personnel, attached to stands which can be located and relocated around the perimeter, deployed around the fire perimeter vehicles and drones. With wireless communication, and low cost, these monitors can be permanently deployed in remote locations to monitor air quality and alert downwind areas of pollution hazards. In the Phase II Commercialization Option, we also plan to evaluate the feasibility of a low-cost electrostatic PM sensor, which will measure particles down to 5nm, and use far less power than the optical sensors.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 5 publications for this projectProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Ultralow Power Sensor Package for Ground Level Air Pollution Levels fromWildland Fires | Final ReportThe 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.