24-04-2012, 12:15 PM
Nano Sensors and Devices for Space and Terrestrial Applications
A9 Concept Paper Summary_2.pdf (Size: 241 KB / Downloads: 61)
Rationale for Recommendation
Chemical sensors have a wide application spectrum from space mission to homeland
security and other commercial applications. Chemical sensor market is steadily increased and
projected to be $40 billion US dollars in next 10 years.
The nanosensor and nanodevice based on nanostructures are recommended here for
possible commercialization. The research effort on this technology has been funded by NASA and
FAA with interagency agreement in past several years. The development of recommended
nanosensor and nanodevices has gained NASA’s attention for funding in future years to raise the
technical readiness level (TRL) for space mission. Currently, NASA is putting $500-$600K in this
project to develop a sensor module that has a sensor chip contains 32 sensing channels using
different nanostructured materials, a complete electronic system for sensing signal acquisition, and
a pneumatic pathway for gas sample delivery.
Current State-of-the-Art
Nanotechnology provides the ability to work at the molecular level, atom by atom, to create
structures with fundamentally new molecular organization. Nanostructured materials such as
carbon nanotubes (CNT) offer superior performance over conventional approaches due to the
remarkable mechanical properties and unique electronic properties as well as the high thermal and
structural stability. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have all the atoms on the surface that
are exposed to the environment, allowing a change in physiochemical properties sensitively. The
lower energy barrier on the surface of CNT ensures the room temperature sensing, which allow
much lower power consumption in μW to mW per sensor. They have great potential for developing
a new generation of chemical sensors to detect gas and vapor species. Carbon nanotube-based
chemical sensors have the following properties:
Baseline Use
A recent report to the President recommends redoubling efforts to improve long-term
climate modeling. NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise’s (ESE) action plan includes uninhabited
aircraft measurements of greenhouse gases to validate satellite observations. Also, the president
announced a new vision in January for NASA to extend human presence in solar system. Smart
detection and monitoring is one of the challenges that NASA is focusing on through the current
effort on the human and robotic technology for space exploration. This requires the development of
miniature detectors – which exhibit selectivity, sensitivity, and time response equal to or better than
current state of the art sensor technology – that are compact, robust and have low mass & power
budgets.
Trends Impacting Improvement
Advancement in several areas can directly impact the improvement of our nanosensor
technology. They are: 1) Nanostructured materials development; 2) high speed computing
capability; 3) Nano printing and inkjetting technologies development; 4) wireless and network
capability.
Potential Investment Possibilities and Risk
This nanosensor technology is readily for mass production in commercial market. The
prototype of the nanosensors can be easily derived from the sensor module that is currently under
development for a flight demonstration experiment and that will be delivered to the satellite carrier
by end of February 2005.
With the technology readiness and a wide spectrum of applications, potential investment
possibilities can be from venture capitals, industry partners, and government contracts.
Leading Aerospace Applications
There are two leading aerospace applications. One is to greatly increase the science
measurement capability with compact size, less mass and power requirements for electronics and
sensors; to provide a portable device for composition measurements of Earth’s atmosphere; to make
highly miniaturized gas detectors enabling Earth Science Enterprise Plans for in situ measurements
to validate satellite observations. Another application is to deploy the nanosensors which ensure the
proper operation in the microgravity or reduced gravity environment, especially those which must
operate in multiphase media, or are strongly impacted by the lack of natural buoyancy, such as
combustion and precombustion monitors.
Potential Investment Possibilities and Risk
This nanosensor technology is readily for mass production in commercial market. The
prototype of the nanosensors can be easily derived from the sensor module that is currently under
development for a flight demonstration experiment and that will be delivered to the satellite carrier
by end of February 2005.
With the technology readiness and a wide spectrum of applications, potential investment
possibilities can be from venture capitals, industry partners, and government contracts.