Project Title:

Real-time Hydrazine Monitoring with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

13.01-9450A
Real-time Hydrazine Monitoring with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
EIC Laboratories Inc.
111 Downey Street
Norwood
MA
02062
Martin W.
Rupich
(617-769-9450)
KSC

Abstract:

Leakage of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, used in large quantities in space operations,
can present significant safety hazards to ground and flight crews. Because of their
toxicity, concentrations of these materials must be monitored at the parts-per-billion
level. The goal of this project is the development of a sensitive, "real-time" sensor
for hypergolic gases based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The SERS
signal, which corresponds to the vibrational spectrum of a molecule adsorbed on specific
metal or metal oxide surfaces, is obtained from the Raman scattering of a visible
laser source. The SERS technique can be used for the qualitative and quantitative
analysis of numerous components in both gaseous and liquid environments. 
The goal of the Phase I program is to demonstrate the feasibility of a sensor based
on SERS for the "real-time" detection of hydrazine and monomethylhydrazine. The design
and testing of actual instruments would occur in Phase II.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  A gas phase sensor for detection and monitoring
of hydrazine and its derivatives could be applied in the manufacture and commercial
use of these toxic substances.