Miniaturized CH 4 Sensors Nanomaterials Research Corporation, Longmont, CO 80503

1. Innovation • The innovation for this program is to engineer the interface of the sensing materials to • near molecular level through the use of nanomaterials. Miniaturized CH4 Sensors Nanomaterials Research Corporation, Longmont, CO 80503 • Accomplishments • February 2003 - Nanomaterials Research makes prototype NOx sensors available for • evaluation. • December 2002 - Nanomaterials Research eliminates focus on Multilayer Component • Fabrication. • October 2002 - Nanomaterials Research presents paper at The Nanoparticles 2002 • Conference on the application of Nanotechnology in regards to Gas Sensor • development.  Article • September 2002 - Nanomaterials Research is awarded a NIH Phase II to continue work • on Sensors for Respirator Breakthrough. • May 2002 - Nanomaterials Research's sensor efforts are written up in Sensors • Business Digest.  Article • April 2002 - Nanomaterials Research is included in write-up on nanoscale • materials in MDA Update.  Article • The Gas Sensors Group at Nanomaterials is involved in the development of unique • semiconducting sensors for both toxic and combustible gases. Based on the traditional • use of simple metal oxides, such as tin oxide, Nanomaterials is utilizing a background in • Materials Science to enhance and improve upon the current state-of-the art. • Nanocrystalline SnO2 powders with and without different dopants were synthesized, • characterized, and processed reproducibly into sensing elements. These nanostructructed • sensor elements were evaluated and optimized extensively in terms of their sensitivity, • selectivity, operating temperature, and stability. Prototype sensors were successfully • produced, packaged, and tested. The test results were consistent with the conclusions • drawn from the systematical studies. Government/Science Applications Nanomaterial’s current SBIR programs, concerning sensors, are as follows. Chemically Selective Sensors based on Novel Conducting Polymers - National Science Foundation, Phase I - Project Brief Miniature Sensor Platform for Detecting Toxic Gases - National Institutes of Health, Phase I - Project Brief Novel Hydrogen Sulfide Sensors for Portable Monitors - National Institutes of Health, Phase II pending - Project Brief On-Board Diagnostic Sensor for Respirator Breakthrough - National Institutes of Health, Phase II  - Project Brief Nanoceramic Sensors for Fluorine and Similar Hazardous Chemicals - Department of Defense, Phase II - Project Brief Miniature Electrochemical CO2 Detector - Department of Energy, Phase II - Project Brief • Commercialization • In March 2001, NRC separated into two companies.  Nanomaterials Research LLC, with funding from the US Government's SBIR initiative, was formed to focus on nano-engineered devices.  An affiliate, NanoProducts Corporation which is 100% commercially funded and has already signed over US$25 million in financial commitments, was formed to focus on nanoscale powder manufacture and technologies.  Points of Contact: NASA: R. Collin Hieger chieger@ems.jsc.nasa.gov Nanomaterials: staff@nrcorp.com 1995 SBIR Phase II; NAS 9 97024 Johnson Space Center Date of Update 04/22//03 SS 09-10