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In order to measure astronauts' metabolic rates in space, Glenn Research Center partnered with Case Western University and the Cleveland Clinic to develop the Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA). Cleveland-based Orbital Research licensed and then modified PUMA to help the US Navy assess pilot oxygen problems and is now designing a device that can be used in hospitals.
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Portable optoelectronic system monitors fallout of small particles (dust and fibers) onto surface at given location during extended time. Data on accumulated fallout downloaded from system to computer for display and analysis. Typical display is plot of signal proportional to amount of accumulated fallout as function of time and read to determine when contamination occurs. In many cases, possible to establish correlations between accumulations of particles and activities in vicinity. Also capable of signaling alarm in event contamination by fallout exceeds specified level. System made very inexpensively and used to monitor accumulation of dust and fibers associated with motion of air in variety of environments. Phenomena monitored indirectly by use of system might include circulation of air in buildings, and human and animal activity. Also serves as auxiliary intrusion monitor (though probably not real-time alarm) in sealed room because motion of intruder inevitably stirs up some dust.
Long-term exposure to Pb 2+ can cause irreversible damage to the nervous, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. Therefore, developing a fast and sensitive detection system capable of monitoring minuscule concentrations of Pb 2+ is essential. In this study, we demonstrated a fully portable sensor system enabling rapid, sensitive, and real-time monitoring of Pb 2+ . The sensor system adopted the remote-gate field-effect transistor (RGFET) detection scheme and was easy to operate, even for non-experts. The sensor system comprised two printed circuit boards (PCBs): a sensor PCB with a remote-gate electrode and an analyzer PCB with a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) transducer and peripheral electronics to manage sensor signals. To achieve a high sensitivity for Pb 2+ , we utilized graphene ink drop-casted on the sensor PCB as a sensing membrane. The graphene film was easy to deposit and remove, enabling the sensor PCB to be reused multiple times. The sensor system was further linked to a smartphone application that instantly monitors the sensor response, allowing for rapid point-of-use detection. The sensor exhibited a high sensitivity of 21.7% when the limit of detection (LOD) value of 1 nM (∼0.2 ppb) was detected, and the typical detection time for each sample was approximately 60 seconds. This portable sensor system advances sensing technologies and could potentially supplement expensive, laborious conventional sensing equipment.
A combination of projected demand increases for economically critical minerals and a monopolistic global marketplace for these minerals has caused concern over supply chain vulnerabilities, which would impact energy, national defense, and advanced technology production. Domestic production of critical minerals is hindered by expensive and non-portable methods for analyzing metal concentration, which is vital both for resource prospecting and process monitoring. Here, a suite of luminescent materials along with portable instrumentation is presented for fluorescence-based detection of trace concentrations of critical minerals (cobalt, rare earth elements, and aluminum) as well as common gangue metals that are removed during processing (iron and aluminum). A metal-organic framework comprised of zinc, adenine, and trimesic acid immobilized on a fiber optic tip is capable of sensing part-per-billion concentrations of terbium, europium, dysprosium, and samarium through a sensitization approach, in which individual elements produce characteristic emission bands enabling multiple rare earths to be simultaneously detected and distinguished. A deep-UV light emitting diode is used as the excitation source, while a portable spectrometer is used to detect the emitted light. A similar optical set-up is coupled with two different carbon dot materials, which can detect low part-per-million concentrations of cobalt and iron in acidic environments. Metal-organic framework thin films comprised of copper and 2-aminoterephthalic acid are used in tandem with a portable optical set-up to further detect aluminum, with successful deployment in real fly ash leachates. Taken together, these technologies provide an inexpensive and sensitive path towards characterizing economically critical metals.
University of Pittsburgh Infrastructure Sensing Collaboration Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA, August 25, 2022
Presentation on the development of sensing materials and compact platforms for the photoluminescence-based detection of economically critical metals, including rare earth elements, cobalt, and aluminum. The important of detecting metals that interfere with critical metal processing, such as iron and aluminum, are also discussed. The presented results represent a significant step forward in reducing the economic and time costs associated with the characterization of metals during prospecting and downstream processing.
Rare earth elements and other metals are vital to a range of technologies that are used in the energy and defense sectors. However, monopolistic market conditions have caused significant concern over the stability of the critical metal supply chain, and this has spurred extensive efforts in many nations to produce these metals domestically, both from conventional sources such as mining and well as from unconventional sources such as coal and its utilization byproducts. Slow and expensive characterization methods pose a significant barrier for both metals prospecting and process monitoring. A promising solution to this challenge is the development of highly sensitive luminescent sensors for metals, which can offer low costs, portability, and sensitivity. Anionic zinc adeninate metal-organic frameworks (BioMOFs) are known to distinguishing and detect part-per-billion levels of terbium, europium, samarium, and dysprosium in water by sensitizing the narrow, element-specific emission bands from these lanthanides. Here, a BioMOF material is immobilized onto a large diameter, solarization-resistant fiber optic tip integrated with a portable, low-cost spectrometer for rare earth element sensing. Immobilizing the sensing material on fiber instead of dispersing the sensing material in solution offers several advantages: it facilitates solvent removal, which enhances luminescent signal from the sensitized lanthanides, and it also allows the BioMOF to be recycled for multiple uses. The sensing system was deployed on a simulated process stream and exhibited qualitative agreement with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry for terbium and europium detection, highlighting the potential for the sensing system to be deployed for real-world applications. By using different sensing materials, the same portable sensor may be deployed to detect other energy relevant metals such as cobalt, providing a cost-effective and sensitive platform for critical metal characterization.
Sensor packages that would be dropped from airplanes have been proposed for pre-eruption monitoring of physical conditions on the flanks of awakening volcanoes. The purpose of such monitoring is to gather data that could contribute to understanding and prediction of the evolution of volcanic systems. Each sensor package, denoted a volcano monitoring system (VMS), would include a housing with a parachute attached at its upper end and a crushable foam impact absorber at its lower end (see figure). The housing would contain survivable low-power instrumentation that would include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an inclinometer, a seismometer, a barometer, a thermometer, and CO2 and SO2 analyzers. The housing would also contain battery power, control, data-logging, and telecommunication subsystems. The proposal for the development of the VMS calls for the use of commercially available sensor, power, and telecommunication equipment, so that efforts could be focused on integrating all of the equipment into a system that could survive impact and operate thereafter for 30 days, transmitting data on the pre-eruptive state of a target volcano to a monitoring center. In a typical scenario, VMSs would be dropped at strategically chosen locations on the flanks of a volcano once the volcano had been identified as posing a hazard from any of a variety of observations that could include eyewitness reports, scientific observations from positions on the ground, synthetic-aperture-radar scans from aircraft, and/or remote sensing from aboard spacecraft. Once dropped, the VMSs would be operated as a network of in situ sensors that would transmit data to a local monitoring center. This network would provide observations as part of an integrated volcano-hazard assessment strategy that would involve both remote sensing and timely observations from the in situ sensors. A similar strategy that involves the use of portable sensors (but not dropping of sensors from aircraft) is already in use in the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP), which was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to respond to volcanic crises around the world. The VMSs would add a greatly needed capability that would enable VDAP response teams to deploy their volcano-monitoring equipment in a more timely manner with less risk to personnel in the field.
A portable laser system for remote detection of methane gas leaks and concentrations is disclosed. The system transmitter includes first and second lasers, tuned respectively to a wavelength coincident with a strong absorption line of methane and a reference wavelength which is weakly absorbed by methane gas. The system receiver includes a spherical mirror for collecting the reflected laser radiation and focusing the collected radiation through a narrowband optical filter onto an optial detector. The filter is tuned to the wavelength of the two lasers, and rejects background noise. The output of the optical detector is processed by a lock-in detector synchronized to the chopper, and which measures the difference between the first wavelength signal and the reference wavelength signal.
A piezopolymer pressure sensor has been developed for service in a portable fetal heart rate monitor, which will permit an expectant mother to perform the fetal nonstress test, a standard predelivery test, in her home. Several sensors are mounted in an array on a belt worn by the mother. The sensor design conforms to the distinctive features of the fetal heart tone, namely, the acoustic signature, frequency spectrum, signal amplitude, and localization. The components of a sensor serve to fulfill five functions: signal detection, acceleration cancellation, acoustical isolation, electrical shielding, and electrical isolation of the mother. A theoretical analysis of the sensor response yields a numerical value for the sensor sensitivity, which is compared to experiment in an in vitro sensor calibration. Finally, an in vivo test on patients within the last six weeks of term reveals that nonstress test recordings from the acoustic monitor compare well with those obtained from conventional ultrasound.
The Sensor Suitcase project aimed to enable cost-effective, data-driven retro-commissioning (RCx) in small commercial buildings through a self-installable toolkit consisting of portable sensors and diagnostic software. Results showed that the Sensor Suitcase could identify common operational faults leading to 5–15% energy savings opportunities, with automated reports requiring minimal user interpretation. The project adhered closely to its Statement of Work (SOW) but evolved the reporting interface and sensor logging duration based on field feedback. The development and validation of diagnostics are documented in PNNL technical reports and internal analysis summaries.
Advanced sensor capabilities for the simultaneous on-site detection of specific chemical, biological, and radiological/nuclear (CBRN) threats is important to significantly limit the risk of exposure to personnel and allow the rapid collection of essential scientific data and critical evidence. Commercially available sensor capabilities are generally complex, and/or require highly specific and ultra-sensitive methods that are often power demanding or require offsite post-analysis for positive detection, leaving personnel vulnerable. The goal of this project is to develop a portable sensor capable of simultaneously detecting CBRN signatures using a multiplexed Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) based sensor. FRET sensors are tailorable, specific, and highly dependent on the donor-acceptor distance. In this project, nanoparticles were functionalized with aptamers that were designed for the detection of methylphosphonate, a sarin metabolite. FRET was measured between quantum dot donors and dye and metal nanoparticle acceptors using optical spectroscopy.
Recent advances in room-temperature, near-IR and visible diode laser sources for tele-communication, high-speed computer networks, and optical data storage applications are enabling a new generation of gas-dynamic and combustion-flow sensors based on laser absorption spectroscopy. In addition to conventional species concentration and density measurements, spectroscopic techniques for temperature, velocity, pressure and mass flux have been demonstrated in laboratory, industrial and technical flows. Combined with fibreoptic distribution networks and ultrasensitive detection strategies, compact and portable sensors are now appearing for a variety of applications. In many cases, the superior spectroscopic quality of the new laser sources compared with earlier cryogenic, mid-IR devices is allowing increased sensitivity of trace species measurements, high-precision spectroscopy of major gas constituents, and stable, autonomous measurement systems. The purpose of this article is to review recent progress in this field and suggest likely directions for future research and development. The various laser-source technologies are briefly reviewed as they relate to sensor applications. Basic theory for laser absorption measurements of gas-dynamic properties is reviewed and special detection strategies for the weak near-IR and visible absorption spectra are described. Typical sensor configurations are described and compared for various application scenarios, ranging from laboratory research to automated field and airborne packages. Recent applications of gas-dynamic sensors for air flows and fluxes of trace atmospheric species are presented. Applications of gas-dynamic and combustion sensors to research and development of high-speed flows aeropropulsion engines, and combustion emissions monitoring are presented in detail, along with emerging flow control systems based on these new sensors. Finally, technology in nonlinear frequency conversion, UV laser materials, room-temperature mid-IR materials and broadly tunable multisection devices is reviewed to suggest new sensor possibilities.
Portable sensor measures electric fields created by dc powerlines or other dc-high-voltage sources. Measures fields from 70 to 50,000 V/m with linearity of 2 percent. Sensor used at any height above ground. Measures both magnitude and direction of field and provides signals representing these measurements to remote readout device. Sensor functions with minimal disturbance of field it is measuring.
A portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer has a portable sensor unit containing a battery, a high voltage power supply, an x-ray tube which produces a beam x-ray radiation directed toward a target sample, and a detector for fluorescent x-rays produced by the sample. If a silicon-lithium detector is used, the sensor unit also contains either a thermoelectric or thermochemical cooler, or a small dewar flask containing liquid nitrogen to cool the detector. A pulse height analyzer (PHA) generates a spectrum of data for each sample consisting of the number of fluorescent x-rays detected as a function of their energy level. The PHA can also store spectrum data for a number of samples in the field. A processing unit can be attached to the pulse height analyzer to upload and analyze the stored spectrum data for each sample. The processing unit provides a graphic display of the spectrum data for each sample, and provides qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of the sample by comparing the peaks in the sample spectrum against known x-ray energies for various chemical elements. An optional filtration enclosure can be used to filter particles from a sample suspension, either in the form of a natural suspension or a chemically created precipitate. The sensor unit is then temporarily attached to the filtration unit to analyze the particles collected by the filter medium.
Topics covered include: Insect-Inspired Optical-Flow Navigation Sensors; Chemical Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators; A Broad-Band Phase-Contrast Wave-Front Sensor; Progress in Insect-Inspired Optical Navigation Sensors; Portable Airborne Laser System Measures Forest-Canopy Height; Deployable Wide-Aperture Array Antennas; Faster Evolution of More Multifunctional Logic Circuits; Video-Camera-Based Position-Measuring System; N-Type delta Doping of High-Purity Silicon Imaging Arrays; Avionics System Architecture Tool; Updated Chemical Kinetics and Sensitivity Analysis Code; Predicting Flutter and Forced Response in Turbomachinery; Upgrades of Two Computer Codes for Analysis of Turbomachinery; Program Facilitates CMMI Appraisals; Grid Visualization Tool; Program Computes Sound Pressures at Rocket Launches; Solar-System Ephemeris Toolbox; Data-Acquisition Software for PSP/TSP Wind-Tunnel Cameras; Corrosion-Prevention Capabilities of a Water-Borne, Silicone-Based, Primerless Coating; Sol-Gel Process for Making Pt-Ru Fuel-Cell Catalysts; Making Activated Carbon for Storing Gas; System Regulates the Water Contents of Fuel-Cell Streams; Five-Axis, Three-Magnetic-Bearing Dynamic Spin Rig; Modifications of Fabrication of Vibratory Microgyroscopes; Chamber for Growing and Observing Fungi; Electroporation System for Sterilizing Water; Thermoelectric Air/Soil Energy-Harvesting Device; Flexible Metal-Fabric Radiators; Actuated Hybrid Mirror Telescope; Optical Design of an Optical Communications Terminal; Algorithm for Identifying Erroneous Rain-Gauge Readings; Condition Assessment and End-of-Life Prediction System for Electric Machines and Their Loads; Lightweight Thermal Insulation for a Liquid-Oxygen Tank; Stellar Gyroscope for Determining Attitude of a Spacecraft; and Lifting Mechanism for the Mars Explorer Rover.
Topics covered include: Innovative Software Tools Measure Behavioral Alertness; Miniaturized, Portable Sensors Monitor Metabolic Health; Patient Simulators Train Emergency Caregivers; Solar Refrigerators Store Life-Saving Vaccines; Monitors Enable Medication Management in Patients' Homes; Handheld Diagnostic Device Delivers Quick Medical Readings; Experiments Result in Safer, Spin-Resistant Aircraft; Interfaces Visualize Data for Airline Safety, Efficiency; Data Mining Tools Make Flights Safer, More Efficient; NASA Standards Inform Comfortable Car Seats; Heat Shield Paves the Way for Commercial Space; Air Systems Provide Life Support to Miners; Coatings Preserve Metal, Stone, Tile, and Concrete; Robots Spur Software That Lends a Hand; Cloud-Based Data Sharing Connects Emergency Managers; Catalytic Converters Maintain Air Quality in Mines; NASA-Enhanced Water Bottles Filter Water on the Go; Brainwave Monitoring Software Improves Distracted Minds; Thermal Materials Protect Priceless, Personal Keepsakes; Home Air Purifiers Eradicate Harmful Pathogens; Thermal Materials Drive Professional Apparel Line; Radiant Barriers Save Energy in Buildings; Open Source Initiative Powers Real-Time Data Streams; Shuttle Engine Designs Revolutionize Solar Power; Procedure-Authoring Tool Improves Safety on Oil Rigs; Satellite Data Aid Monitoring of Nation's Forests; Mars Technologies Spawn Durable Wind Turbines; Programs Visualize Earth and Space for Interactive Education; Processor Units Reduce Satellite Construction Costs; Software Accelerates Computing Time for Complex Math; Simulation Tools Prevent Signal Interference on Spacecraft; Software Simplifies the Sharing of Numerical Models; Virtual Machine Language Controls Remote Devices; Micro-Accelerometers Monitor Equipment Health; Reactors Save Energy, Costs for Hydrogen Production; Cameras Monitor Spacecraft Integrity to Prevent Failures; Testing Devices Garner Data on Insulation Performance; Smart Sensors Gather Information for Machine Diagnostics; Oxygen Sensors Monitor Bioreactors and Ensure Health and Safety; Vision Algorithms Catch Defects in Screen Displays; and Deformable Mirrors Capture Exoplanet Data, Reflect Lasers.