REDNOX, INC. — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.4

Description

Two major anthropogenic events need immediate attention. First is climate change triggered byincreased emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) including carbon dioxide (CO ) nitrous oxide2 (N O) and methane (CH ). The second is increased air pollution from particulate matter (PM2.5)2 4 and ozone catalyzed by nitrogen oxides NO (NO =NO+NO ). Agricultural practices play a majorx x 2 role in exacerbating both problems. Fertilizers based on ammonium compounds and nitrates areessential for growing crops that feed humanity but their use leads to the formation and release ofN O and NO . In this SBIR project RedNOx an Ohio State University (OSU) start-up and2 x scientists and engineers from OSU will develop inexpensive N O and NO sensors that can be2 x deployed for both subsurface and ambient gas measurements. Sensors for N2O will utilize near- infrared spectroscopy and sensors for NO are based on solid-state electrochemical sensors. Thesex technologies have been demonstrated for making ppm and ppb measurements of ambient N O and2 NOrespectively. Phase I of the SBIR program will primarily focus on soil subsurfacex measurements a more difficult challenge and involve appropriate packaging of the sensorsincluding minimizing interferences and size of sensor and power electronics. Demonstration ofsensor performance under fertilization practices will be done at a research farm at OSU. Phase IIwill involve miniaturization developing wireless data transfer capability and promoting fieldconnectivity. Wide availability of N O and NO sensors will facilitate proper use of fertilizers2 x minimize GHG and polluting gases and provide farmers with means to avail of carbon credits.