| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/T04601/01 |
| Title: |
Resolving the optical interference problem in tunable diode based gas sensors |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hodgkinson, Dr J |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 May 2005 |
Ends: |
31 July 2008 |
Value (£): |
194,341
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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14 Apr 2004
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Engineering Fellowships Interview Panel 2004
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Deferred
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Gas detection and measurement has important application in the fields of safety, environmental monitoring of both indoor and outdoor air, and process control. In general, optical sensors offer a number of advantages over traditional sensor technology:() Reduced maintenance costs(? Improved audit trails (sensors often have a self-check ability)() Improved selection of the target species(rv) Superior signal to noise ratios that allow low knits of detection.Many gases exhibit characteristic fingerprint' absorption of light in the infra-red region of the spectrum, and this forms the basis of many techniques to measure their concentration. In particular, sensors based on tunable diode lasers in the near infra-red have superior performance that make them ideal for use in applications that require a low limit of detection combined with little or no maintenance. The technique works by making a measurement of a single gas absorption One at very high resolution, using optical technology originally developed for telecoms . The precise method by which this is achieved can vary from a simple scan across the line, measuring the shape of the absorption One directly, to more sophisticated modulation techniques.Despite these advantages, there are problems with the current state of the art that limit uptake of the technology and add to the complexity of instrument designs. One problem in particular has caused headaches for many researchers - the phenomenon of optical interference fringes. These unwanted signals are created, usually in the sample cell, and are interpreted as spurious gas readings. This research proposes to reduce the effects of these signals by introducing novel methods to essentially average them out Exploitation is anticipated in the form of new gas detection configurations, developments for other gas detection techniques and ultimately new gas detectors that have improved sensitivity, have simpler designs and are more robust. The work is initially aimed at the detection of methane in air, with future extension to other gases of environmental concern as well as those of specific interest to industrial processes.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |