INTELLIGENT OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 29a

Description

Properly managing vegetation, water, and ultimately climate-affecting resources requires an understanding of the complex hydro-biogeochemical processes in coastal systems. Existing computational process models show promise for predicting hydro-biogeochemical processes, but they lack the comprehensive datasets required for accurate prediction. Moreover, deployment and continuous long-term sensing in these complex environments pose problems that must be overcome to advance these predictive models. Spaciotemporal information about gas emissions in complex matrices at multiple scales has the potential to accelerate and elevate our understanding of hydro- biogeochemical processes in coastal regions, and significantly improve modeling tools. Sensor systems to collect this information are needed. The proposed technology will meet the need for sensing and sensor deployment with distributed and hierarchically networked gas emission sensors. The core of the sensor design is sensitive film modulated transistors. The sensors are affordable, rugged, and low size, weight, and power. The sensors will continuously detect gas emissions relevant to hydro-biogeochemical processes for extended periods of deployment, and with additive manufacturing they will be produced in multiplexed arrays. Lastly, the distributed sensors will be networked to spatiotemporally map plot scale areas, and plot areas can be linked to map entire ecosystems. This system will collect information about key hydro-biogeochemical parameters, so that reactive process models can simulate hydro-biogeochemical cycles in coastal systems. In Phase I, sensor formulations for the detection of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and oxygen will be adapted for use in sensor modified transistors. Sensor and microelectrode arrays for multiplexed sensing of several analytes on a single chip will be developed, and the low-cost and low-power sensing circuit design will be validated. Distributed sensor communication infrastructure and protocols for plot-scale mapping of gas profiles and their potential for hierarchical integration for entire ecosystem mapping will be developed. Finally, a preliminary design will be developed for demonstration of gas emission monitoring at terrestrial/aquatic interfaces. An economical and uncomplicated system for measuring the key chemical parameters of hydro-biogeochemical cycles in coastal systems will directly benefit climate science and ecosystem management, and will have commercial applications in agriculture and the commercial livestock industry.