SBIR Phase I: Design and Cost Effective Manufacturing of Miniature Gas Chromatograph Sensors

SBIR 第一阶段：微型气相色谱传感器的设计和成本效益制造

• 批准号: 1248353
• 负责人: Edward Overton
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Enervana Technologies LLC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2013-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1248353&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Design; Cost; Effective

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project concerns the design and high-throughput and low-cost manufacturing of metal-based miniature gas chromatograph (mGC) sensor structures. The proposed mGC sensor design and manufacturing is unique and offers competitive advantages as compared to current "micro GC" devices/systems on the market. Miniaturized GC Sensors are envisioned to become the building blocks for future GC instruments, in which each mGC module can perform a separate analytical function. Analytical instruments containing multiple mGCs can be tailored to provide analyses of compounds with widely different chemical characteristics. Such instruments may become "niche analyzers" for field analytical use not possible with current capabilities. Design and efficient fabrication of high-reliability, low-cost, metal-based, mGC sensors are critical for establishing the technical and commercial feasibility of such devices. The project team combines extensive expertise on GC design, testing, and applications as well as microfabrication of metal-based high-aspect-ratio microscale structures (HARMS). Fabrication of metallic HARMS by molding replication, combined with efficient microscale bonding, promises low-cost, high-throughput, mGC device production with high reliability. The proposed methodology offers competitive advantages compared to silicon-based integrated-circuit processing techniques and represents a good opportunity for pushing metal-based mGC sensors to commercially-viable products.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is multifaceted and significant. Miniature GC sensor modules can be a device that promotes efficiency and improvements throughout industry and society. For example, better monitoring improves the quality of chemical products. On-site monitoring and processing of multi-point compositional information improves chemical plant efficiencies and the control of process upsets. Early detection of emissions from leaks prevents pollution, and helps industry meet clean air compliance requirements. Effective monitoring assures water quality and alleviates public health concerns. The availability of mGC sensors will eliminate many field sampling activities connected to laboratory analysis. Real-time monitoring lowers compliance cost of environmental regulations and fines, and accelerates the permit process. Increased security at airports and public facilities lessens public apprehension and reduce time delays. Detection of disease earlier and more cheaply improves health care. As such, significant market interest exists for the proposed technology. The proposed mGC sensors may enable many new and yet unrealized applications. This is where the mGC sensor modules will have it greatest potential for market expansion. By focusing on such market expansion opportunities, the presently proposed project combines technical innovation with commercial promise.

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目涉及金属基微型气相色谱（mGC）传感器结构的设计和高通量，低成本制造。 所提出的mGC传感器设计和制造是独特的，并且与市场上当前的“微型GC”装置/系统相比提供了竞争优势。 微型GC传感器被设想成为未来GC仪器的构建模块，其中每个mGC模块可以执行单独的分析功能。 包含多个mGC的分析仪器可以定制，以提供具有广泛不同化学特性的化合物的分析。 这些仪器可能成为“利基分析器”，用于目前能力所不可能实现的实地分析用途。 高可靠性、低成本、金属基mGC传感器的设计和高效制造对于建立此类设备的技术和商业可行性至关重要。 该项目团队结合了GC设计，测试和应用方面的广泛专业知识，以及基于金属的高纵横比微尺度结构（HARMS）的微制造。 通过模塑复制结合有效的微尺度键合来制造金属HARMS，保证了低成本、高产量、高可靠性的mGC器件生产。 与硅基集成电路工艺技术相比，所提出的方法具有竞争优势，并代表了将金属基mGC传感器推向商业可行产品的良好机会。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力是多方面的，意义重大。 微型GC传感器模块可以是在整个工业和社会中促进效率和改进的装置。 例如，更好的监测可以提高化学产品的质量。 现场监测和多点成分信息的处理提高了化工厂的效率和工艺扰动的控制。 早期检测泄漏排放可防止污染，并帮助行业满足清洁空气合规要求。 有效的监测可确保水质，并消除公众的健康关切。 mGC传感器的可用性将消除许多与实验室分析有关的实地采样活动。 实时监控降低了环境法规和罚款的合规成本，并加快了许可流程。 加强机场和公共设施的安全，减少公众的恐惧，减少延误。 更早和更便宜地发现疾病可以改善医疗保健。 因此，对所提出的技术存在重大的市场兴趣。 所提出的mGC传感器可以实现许多新的但尚未实现的应用。这是mGC传感器模块最具市场扩展潜力的地方。 通过专注于这些市场扩张机会，目前拟议的项目将技术创新与商业前景相结合。