| Version 2.5.2.0 |
|
|
Abstract
Grant Number: 1R43OH009353-01 Project Title: Formaldehyde Sensor for Environmental and Industrial Monitoring
PI Information: Name Title TRIMBOLI, JOSEPH A. eltron@eltronresearch.com Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Formaldehyde is among the 25 most abundantly produced chemicals in the world and is used in a variety of manufacturing processes. There are serious health risks in utilizing formaldehyde, however, as it is a suspected human carcinogen that causes severe irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Unfortunately, current detection methods are inadequate because they require bulky, expensive equipment or off-site spectrochemical analysis. To address these issues, this SBIR proposal describes the development of a small, inexpensive sensor for measuring the concentration of formaldehyde in real-time. The proposed approach will involve selective preconcentration of formaldehyde from the atmosphere into a thin polymer film. The characteristic infrared (IR) absorptions of formaldehyde will be used for selective detection at very low concentrations (between 0.05 and 20 ppm), which encompass both the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 0.75 ppm and short-term exposure limit of 2 ppm. Technical aims of the project include the synthesis and characterization of the polymer sorbent layer in addition to the characterization of sensor performance in the presence of formaldehyde vapor. The proposed approach is specifically designed to protect the 2 million workers who encounter this gas on a regular basis in the chemical industry. Furthermore, the sensor platform can be readily adapted for indoor air quality or environmental monitoring applications as well.
Thesaurus Terms:
There are no thesaurus terms on file for this project.
Institution: ELTRON RESEARCH, INC. 4600 NAUTILUS COURT SOUTH BOULDER, CO 80301 Fiscal Year: 2007 Department: Project Start: 01-SEP-2007 Project End: 31-MAR-2008 ICD: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IRG: ZRG1