High-Performance and Miniature Greenhouse Gas Sensor for Drone-based Remote Sensing

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2021
Award:
$2,140,906
Location:
Boston, Massachusetts
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
06/15/2022 - 06/14/2025
Website:

Technology Description:

Northeastern University will develop a miniaturized laser-based gas spectrometer to address the three critical technical challenges (size, weight, and power) associated with the state-of-the-art drone-based N2O monitoring without compromising sensing performance. The team will leverage commercial and industrial drones to demonstrate high temporal and spatial resolution remote N2O monitoring suitable for large agricultural lands. The sensor will have an accuracy rate of ~1 ppb with a sampling rate >20 Hz, operate under low power (1 W), and fit in the palm of one’s hand, weighing <400 g. The proposed system will improve drone flight time by 50%.

Potential Impact:

Efficiently monitoring N2O emissions from agricultural lands will provide actionable insights to the agricultural and energy sectors.

Security:

The proposed N2O sensor is expected to have unprecedented performance in terms of accuracy (~1 ppb) and selectivity (immune to CO2 interference).

Environment:

The proposed technology’s drastically reduced size, weight, and power will facilitate drone-based field examination for greenhouse gas emissions.

Economy:

The proposed miniaturized and low-cost spectroscopic gas sensors will overcome technical and market barriers posed by existing bulky, expensive, and power inefficient infrared multispectral sensing technologies, capitalizing on a $2B market.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Olga Spahn
Project Contact:
Prof. Matteo Rinaldi
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
m.rinaldi@northeastern.edu

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Release Date:
02/11/2021