Project Title:

In Situ Sensors for Plant Growth Experiments

12.05-7070A
912521
In Situ Sensors for Plant Growth Experiments
Geo-Centers, Inc.
7 Wells Avenue
Newton Center
MA
02159
Mary Beth
Tabacco
617-964-7070
KSC
NAS10-11861
251

12.05-7070A
912521

Abstract:

In Situ Sensors for Plant Growth Experiments
This project will utilize chemical optrode technology combined with distributed sensing
and multiplexing techniques to create a system to monitor potentially toxic vapors
in situ and in real time. Chemical optrode technology has been demonstrated for highly
sensitive detection of chemical species important in plant growth and respiratory
gas exchange experiments. Distributed sensing and multiplexing techniques are under-utilized
in chemical detection systems. The goal of this project is to develop a multi-sensor
system for monitoring low levels of gaseous species important in plant growth experiments.
Phase I will further develop and test ethylene and ammonia sensors in a field application
and distributed sensing and multiplexing techniques will be reviewed and conceptual
designs generated for complete monitoring systems. A prototype multi-sensor, trace-gas
monitoring system will be developed and field evaluated in Phase II. The expected
result is a simple, cost-effective, and integrated approach to trace-gas monitoring
and control.
Ethylene optrodes would have commercial potential wherever harvested crops are stored
or transported and in greenhouses. Ammonia optrodes could be used to monitor agricultural
runoff and to manage fertilizer application in real time. A multi-sensor, trace-gas
monitoring system would find broad application wherever there is a potential for
low levels of potentially toxic vapors to accumulate, such as chemical laboratories,
chemical manufacturing facilities, aircraft, and spacecraft.
chemical optrodes, ethylene sensor, ammonia sensor, distributed sensing