Project Title:

Solid-State Microionic Oxygen Sensor for Closed, Environmental Life-Support Systems

92-1-12.05-9450                                                   NAS10-11977
Solid-State Microionic Oxygen Sensor for Closed,
     Environmental Life-Support Systems
EIC Laboratories, Inc.
111 Downey Street
Norwood, MA  02062
Dennis N. Crouse                                     (617-769-9450)

Abstract:

     Monitoring the content and local variability of free oxygen
is fundamentally important in regenerative and controlled biomass
production environments. These atmospheres, which NASA anticipates
for long-duration space missions and planetary base habitats,
encompass a relatively narrow range of conditions (pressure,
temperature, and gas composition), where O2 levels must be rather
precisely controlled. The goal of this project is to develop an
all solid-state, thin-film, self-powered, galvanic, O2 sensor that
is operable in weightless environments under ambient conditions.
The sensor, which would have negligible weight and power
consumption, would be fueled by a regenerable storage electrode
that should operate for more than 10 years. The goal of Phase I is
to fabricate such a sensor and to demonstrate its operation under
earth-ambient conditions in 1 to 100% gaseous oxygen
concentrations. In addition, the project will assess the sensor's
operation in a typical greenhouse environment. Phase II's work on
the device will improve its long-term operation and calibration
under typical plant growth conditions, integrate it with a thin-
film or optical CO2 sensor, and tailor it for specific NASA
missions.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The amperometric O2 monitor
would represent an improvement over existing galvanic, ambient
temperature O2 analyzers and could serve in process control and
safe entry applications.

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