{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":8569,"title":"Digital Array Gas Radiometer (DAGR)","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10755,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10751,"level":3,"code":"TX08.3.4","title":"Environment Sensors","definition":"Environment sensors provide the local environmental measures such as vehicle health and habitation health and include sensors such as seismometers, weather sensors (temp, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, humidity), static electric field, chemical species, structural measures (pressure, strain, etc.), particle detectors","exampleTechnologies":"Temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, seismic","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":5,"currentTrl":0,"endTrl":0,"benefits":"The primary commercial application targeted by this proposal is natural gas pipeline monitoring. The landscape of Federal regulations in this area is rapidly changing, and the energy industry is highly motivated to move quickly and efficiently towards compliance. Demand for surveillance systems outstrips the services currently available. Based on results from Phase I, the DAGR sensor is superior to state-of-the-art remote detection systems now in operation, and will help meet this demand. A second commercial application for DAGR is ground-based monitoring of CO2 in sequestration fields. Using current technology, CO2 can be stored in depleted oil and natural gas fields, saline reservoirs and basalt formations. Geologic storage of CO2 can account for over half of the emission reduction needed to achieve atmospheric stabilization. With only minor modifications, the DAGR design could be adapted to sense boundary layer CO2 using backscattered sunlight. Tower-based DAGR sensors would be used for monitoring the ambient level of CO2 at and around the sequestration site during preparation, injection, decommissioning, and finally for long-term monitoring.
The DAGR technology proposed here will directly demonstrate high sensitivity remote sensing of CH¬4 in the boundary layer. With minor adaptations, DAGR could provide simultaneous measurements of additional trace gases such as CO, N2O and SO2. These capabilities are of direct relevance to three NASA Decadal Survey missions: ASCENDS, GEOCAPE and GACM. In order to separate physiological carbon fluxes from biomass burning and fossil fuel use, ASCENDS must simultaneously measure boundary layer CO2 and additional tracers, ideally CO and CH4. Observations of CO at 4.7 μm are primarily sensitive to the mid-troposphere, but observations at 2.3 μm are needed to extend sensitivity to the surface. A DAGR instrument can provide high precision measurements of both CH4 and CO at 2.3 μm. GEOCAPE and GACM will focus on the carbon cycle, regional air quality, and long-range transport of pollution. Measurements from a DAGR sensor are directly relevant to these goals. Mr. Gordley has been consulting with NASA investigators on the GEOCAPE mission to help advance the technology needed for this mission. Developing a DAGR prototype would be an important step in this direction.","description":"The digital array gas radiometer (DAGR) is a new sensor design for accurate measurement and monitoring of trace gases in the boundary layer from space, aircraft, or ground-based platforms using scattered sunlight. Target gases include CH4, CO, CO2, N¬2O and other species critical to climate science, environmental monitoring and commercial pollution compliance efforts. The DAGR approach builds on traditional gas-filter correlation radiometry (GFCR), a well-known and proven technology for trace gas sensing. The effectiveness of GFCR, however, has historically been limited in downlooking applications primarily because variations in surface albedo degrade its performance. In our Phase I effort, we investigated and demonstrated the ability of the DAGR design to overcome these limitations. With the successful completion of these feasibility studies, the technology has been increased to TRL-3. In the Phase II effort, we will construct and test a prototype DAGR sensor for CH4 detection and monitoring, advancing the technology to TRL-5. CH4 was chosen as our target gas to meet the pressing commercial need for an improved natural gas leak detection system. For NASA, the DAGR prototype will significantly advance the technology needed for future missions such as ASCENDS, GEOCAPE, and GACM. DAGR represents a major advance in using backscattered light for detecting concentrations of key molecular species.","startYear":2010,"startMonth":1,"endYear":2012,"endMonth":5,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":283846,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Larry","lastName":"Gordley","fullName":"Larry L Gordley","fullNameInverted":"Gordley, Larry L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"l.l.gordley@gats-inc.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":506307,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Glenn","lastName":"Diskin","fullName":"Glenn S Diskin","fullNameInverted":"Diskin, Glenn S","middleInitial":"S","primaryEmail":"glenn.s.diskin@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":66099,"projectId":8569,"transitionDate":"2012-05-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":306130,"fileName":"SBIR_2008_2_FSC_S1.04-8855","fileSize":116819,"objectId":66099,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"114.1 KB"},"transitionId":66099,"fileId":306130}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"May 2012"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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