Firm:

          

Innosense, LLC

          

   

Address:

          

2531 West 237th Street, Suite 127, Torrance, CA 90505 - 5245

          

   

Phone:

          

(310) 530-2011                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia

          

   

Address:

          

PO Box 400195, VA 22904 - 4195

          

   

Phone:

          

(434) 924-4270                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Dr. Yifan Tang

          

   

E-mail:

          

yifan.tang-1@innosensellc.com

          

   

Address:

          

2531 West 237th Street, Suite 127, CA 90505 - 5245

          

   

Phone:

          

(310) 530-2011                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Kisholoy Goswami

          

   

E-mail:

          

kisholoy.goswami@innosense.us

          

   

Address:

          

2531 West 237th Street, Suite 127, CA 90505 - 5245

          

   

Phone:

          

(310) 530-2011                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 2
End: 3

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

NASA needs an advanced sensing technology for in-situ monitoring of hydrogen (H₂) gas within high-pressure oxygen (O₂) streams. It is a critical safety component for the successful operation of regenerative fuel cells (RFCs) and in situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems. There, water undergoes electrolysis to generate hydrogen and oxygen for propulsion or energy storage. InnoSense LLC (ISL) in collaboration with University of Virginia (UVA), will develop an innovative nanomaterial‑enabled H₂ sensor (H2SEN^TM) based on ISL’s patented microelectronic device platform. This project will support NASA needs expressed in 2020 NASA Technology Taxonomy, TX03.2.2 (Electrochemical: Fuel Cells), TX07.1.3 (Resource Processing for Production of Mission Consumables) and TX14.1.1 (In-space Propellant Storage and Utilization). In Phase I, ISL will: (1) design and fabricate the sensor with appropriate recognition structure, and (2) evaluate the sensor performance. Feasibility will be demonstrated by achieving sensitive and selective detection of H₂ in the concentration range of 0-4% in oxygen background with 100% relative humidity at 250 psia. In Phase II, we will optimize the sensor design, recognition chemistry and algorithm, fabricate prototypes and perform rigorous characterizations.

          

          

     

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

During human exploration missions, H2SEN will: (1) provide accurate and real-time hydrogen concentration monitoring, and (2) ensure the safe operation of regenerative fuel cells (RFCs) and in situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems for mission success. H2SEN’s versatility can be adapted to serve as general hydrogen leak detector or monitor other analytes toward meeting NASA needs.

          

          

     

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

H2SEN will have significant commercial applications in the hydrogen economy. Examples include: (1) commercial hydrogen electrolyzers, and (2) leak detector for heavy-duty fuel cell truck or hydrogen powered aviation, and marine vehicles. As spin-off applications, H2SEN can be adapted with appropriate recognition chemistry for monitoring other environmental pollutants or toxic gases.

          

          

     

Duration:     13