TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Photo-Acoustic Sub Part-Per-Billion Chemical Sensing (LAR-TOPS-214)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.

THE TECHNOLOGY:

NASA Langley Research Center has developed a photo-acoustics sensing based laser vibrometer for the measurement of ambient chemical species. The technology allows for detection of sub part-per-billion (ppb) levels of ambient trace gases and chemical species, with an order of magnitude more sensitivity than similar technologies. Among other applications, the technology could be used for the detection of explosives and hazardous or toxic chemicals.

The technology is a sensor for remotely detecting sub part-per-billion (ppb) levels of ambient trace gases and chemical species. The system includes a high-repetition-rate, pulsed laser module that is spectrally tuned to a desired chemical species. The photons from the laser are absorbed by the target chemical, creating an acoustic vibration that impacts a diaphragm (which acts like a speaker). A highly sensitive, photo-emf detector is then used to measure the magnitude of the vibration, which corresponds to the concentration of the target chemical. The technology is being developed for NASA's trace-gas measurement needs for validation and ground truth studies to support airborne and space-based LIDAR operations. The technology has application as a chemical sniffer to detect hazardous or toxic chemical species in the vicinity of IEDs, explosives, or other chemical agents. In such an application the sensor could detect chemical species hidden inside closed containers, bags, or car trunks.

To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-214

If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/

These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.