Volume 5, Number 4     July/August 1997

  Technology Transfer

Air Quality Monitoring Technology Licensed

TECHNOLOGY ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED FOR monitoring atmospheric air quality now is being used to help U.S. industries reduce smokestack pollution.

A remote gas sensor with NASA technology could detect industrial pollution with a "fence" system that would allow the sensor to see around an area with help of mirrors.

NASA is working with MERCO Incorporated, Golden, Colorado, to jointly develop and commercialize the technology through a patent license agreement.

Artist Concept: Located at strategic points along the perimeter of an industrial site, the remote gas sensor can detect low concentrations of flammable gases-possibly preventing explosion.

The Sensor Systems Branch at Langley Research Center will transfer its fast-response, non-mechanical, remote gas-sensing technology for monitoring gaseous pollutants emitted from petroleum refineries and chemical manufacturing facilities to MERCO.

The technology originally was developed to measure gases in the Earth's atmosphere from aircraft and satellite platforms, and its improved design makes it attractive for many Earth-based monitoring applications. Called the Gas Filter Correlation Radiometer, the device possesses many distinct advantages over conventional gas sensors such as remote sensing capability, area source monitoring, higher reliability, faster response and more compact design.

The Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Center facilitated the agreement. MERCO anticipates rapid commercialization of the instrument.

For more information, contact Roemary Baize at Langley Research Center.
Call 757/864-7717 Fax: 757/864-8314 E-mail: r.r.baize@larc.nasa.gov

Please mention you read about it in Innovation.