{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":8597,"title":"Inexpensive Compact Sensor for In Situ Sulfur Dioxide Measurement in Volcanic Gas Plumes","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10753,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10751,"level":3,"code":"TX08.3.2","title":"Atomic and Molecular Species Assessment","definition":"Sensors for atomic and molecular species identification include mass spectrometers, such as Ion trap, Orbitrap, Quadrupole mass filters, and time-of-flight; microscopes and optical spectrometers for chemical analysis such as femtosecond lasers; Raman laser systems or passive optical chemical sensors, Fourier Transform spectrometers; grating spectrometers; laser heterodyne radiometers; X-ray diffraction; tunable diode laser absorption instruments; LIDARs; and gas correlation radiometers.","exampleTechnologies":"Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), Mars Organic Molecule Analyser (MOMA), gas chromatographs, microfluidic systems, absorption spectrometers","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"This technology has a variety of non-NASA commercial power and energy applications such as assessment of sulfur content in fossil fuels, which is important for fuel cell based electric power generation fueled with natural gas, gasified coal, or liquid hydrocarbons. Also, sulfur dioxide is one of the six \"criteria pollutants\" listed in the Clean Air Act; therefore, the technology will also be of interest to the atmospheric science and environmental monitoring communities.
The proposed technology meets the needs of the \"In Situ Airborne, Surface, and Submersible Instruments for Earth Science\" subtopic of the NASA SBIR Science Program. The technology developed under this research program will provide a new tool for in situ measurement of SO2 in volcanic plumes. These measurements performed both prior to and during eruptions are very important for improving the accuracy of volcanic hazard assessment and eruption forewarnings. The envisioned target instrument will be compact, low weight and inexpensive to meet the strict requirements to qualify for use on a variety of ground based and airborne platforms in harsh environment.","description":"Volcanic research is a significant part of the \"Earth Surface & Interior\" focus area of the NASA Earth Science program. Of particular interest are sensors for measuring the chemical composition and emission rate of gases released by volcanoes, from magma to the atmosphere, both prior to and during eruptions. The vast majority of ground based plume observations concern sulfur dioxide (SO2), the third most abundant volcanic gas. Sulfur dioxide measurements provide valuable information concerning the masses and motions of underground magmas. Vista Photonics proposes an innovative self-calibrating optical technology for sensitive and selective in situ measurement of SO2 in volcanic gas plumes. The self-calibrating feature is intended to maintain the specified performance characteristics under harsh operating conditions. Phase I research will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of the innovative SO2 detector and outline the design of the Phase II prototype instrument. Successful completion of this program will lead to development of an inexpensive, compact, self-contained, lightweight SO2 measurement instrument suitable for use on a variety of ground based and airborne platforms including remotely operated aircraft and surface craft.","startYear":2011,"startMonth":2,"endYear":2011,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":20041,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Andrei","lastName":"Vakhtin","fullName":"Andrei Vakhtin","fullNameInverted":"Vakhtin, Andrei","primaryEmail":"vakhtin@vistaphotonics.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":3164028,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Celestino Jun","lastName":"Rosca","fullName":"Celestino Jun Rosca","fullNameInverted":"Rosca, Celestino Jun","primaryEmail":"crosca@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":65311,"projectId":8597,"transitionDate":"2011-09-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":305536,"fileName":"SBIR_2010_1_FSC_S1.08-9301","fileSize":205066,"objectId":65311,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"200.3 KB"},"transitionId":65311,"fileId":305536}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"September 2011"}],"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
","programId":73,"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"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"leadOrganization":{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Santa Fe","congressionalDistrict":"New Mexico 02","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4048,"organizationName":"Vista Photonics, Inc.","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"NM","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"New Mexico","stateTerritoryId":52},"stateTerritoryId":52,"ein":"752953681 ","dunsNumber":"134161533","uei":"RENMA2L2J5A4","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"acronym":"JPL","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Pasadena","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4946,"organizationName":"Jet Propulsion Laboratory","organizationType":"FFRDC_2fUARC","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59},"stateTerritoryId":59,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"FFRDC/UARC"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59},{"abbreviation":"NM","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"New Mexico","stateTerritoryId":52}],"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":58,"endDateString":"Sep 2011","startDateString":"Feb 2011"}}