NASA SBIR 2020-I Solicitation

Proposal Summary

PROPOSAL NUMBER:
 20-1- A1.03-6015
SUBTOPIC TITLE:
 Low Emissions/Clean Power - Environmentally Responsible Propulsion
PROPOSAL TITLE:
 Aviation Particle Composition Analyzer
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Aerodyne Research, Inc.
45 Manning Road
Billerica, MA 01821
(978) 663-9500

Principal Investigator (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Dr. Richard Miake-Lye
E-mail:
rick@aerodyne.com
Address:
45 Manning Road Billerica, MA 01821 - 3976
Phone:
(978) 663-9500

Business Official (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Mr. David Gordon
E-mail:
proposals@aerodyne.com
Address:
45 Manning Road Billerica, MA 01821 - 3976
Phone:
(978) 663-9500
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :
Begin: 2
End: 4
Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)

We propose to develop a transportable Aviation Particle Composition Analyzer (APCA) that is capable of determining size-resolved volatile particle composition for aviation particles from 20 to 100 nm. The proposed instrument will be based on Aerodyne’s patented aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) technique. Such an instrument will be very useful for aviation research community to characterize and quantify aviation nucleation and soot particles, which will help the community better understand the atmospheric, environmental, and health impacts from aviation activities.

The technical advantages of the AMS-based techniques for size-resolved chemical composition determination over the electrical mobility-based and offline filter-based methods are:

  • Continuous and real-time measurements;
  • Determination of multiple components simultaneously; and
  • Better particle size resolution.
Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

We propose to provide NASA a real-time and ultra-sensitive measurement instrument. The Aviation Particle Composition Analyzer (APCA) will be able to determine size-resolved aviation particle composition in real-time via highly sensitive mass spectrometric measurements. Along with turnkey operation, our analyzer will be transportable and of low maintenance cost. Data analysis related to this measurement technique will be straightforward through a data analysis program.

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

We expect that the APCA instrument will benefit the scientific community interested in characterization of PM emissions from IC engines. Its ability to determine chemical composition in real-time will enable the distinction of soot that is produced from the combustion process of ICEs and nucleation particles that are generated from the condensable gaseous species from engine emissions.  

Duration: 6
Form Generated on 06/29/2020 21:05:33