Innovations

The people and projects that make a difference

Transdermal Alcohol

Safe Drinking Water

Zero Power Sensor

Methane Mems Sensor

Air Quality Wearable

Screen-Printed Sensor

Wearable Noninvasive Blood Alcohol Monitor

The goal of this proposed NIH SBIR Phase II program will be to continue development and commercialization of a new noninvasive transdermal alcohol monitor. The monitor will be in wristband or watch form, similar to a smartwatch. This device will be modern, attractive and comfortable and will have smartwatch features including measuring key physiological parameters (e.g., pulse) with wireless communication to apps on smartphones and other devices. The aim of the work is to provide a new, noninvasive transdermal alcohol monitor into the market.

Full Abstract

Michael Carter
Director of Research
mcarter@kwjengineering.com

Dr. Carter has been leading the research department at KWJ since 2010, innovating new solutions to gas detection problems, advancing research in gas sensing systems, and serving as a mentor for the research team. Continue Reading

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institute of Health
Award: 2R44AA024651-02
Title: Wearable Noninvasive Blood Alcohol Monitor
Amount: $644,495.00
Program: SBIR
Year: 2017
Principal Investigator: Michael Carter

A Simple Lead Test for Drinking Water Safety

The goal of this program is to demonstrate a simple, low cost home test for lead ion, Pb(II), in drinking water. The US is faced with a deteriorating water service system used by many millions of people. This condition poses a serious public health threat, as illustrated recently by the Flint water crisis, but the problem is widespread and expected to grow. A simple, yet reliable test is needed that can be performed by untrained citizens. The test will provide reliable determination of drinking water Pb(II) compared to the 15 ppb Pb(II) action level. Current home tests are of unverified reliability and often are too expensive for routine use or require sending samples to a lab. Adoption of the new home test will result in significant public health benefits for the nation by facilitating drinking water testing. An electrochemical strip will be developed to perform Pb(II) analysis with simple safe/unsafe result provided to the user.

Full Abstract

Michael Carter
Director of Research
mcarter@kwjengineering.com

EPA Award: to KWJ Engineering, Inc.
Contract Number: EPD17041
Title: A Simple Lead Test for Drinking Water Safety
Amount: $99,965.00
Program: SBIR – Phase I
Year: 2017-2018
Principal Investigator: Michael Carter

Zero Power Electrochemical Sensors

Title: Zero Power Electrochemical Formaldehyde Sensor with Novel Catalyst for Indoor Air Quality

The EPA has announced the need for a low cost Formaldehyde Sensor to reduce exposure to CH2O in the home. SPEC Sensors, LLC. specializes in sensor development, and production, and is focused on bringing air quality monitoring for safety and health into every home. In collaboration with KWJ Engineering Inc., SPEC has worked to design low power and zero power wireless multi sensor systems capable of collecting and transmitting data. This research will focus on printing and characterizing a low cost amperometric CH2O sensor for ambient level monitoring, while optimizing the stability of the printed electrode, and incorporating it into our digital sensor systems.

Full Abstract

David Peaslee
Research and Development
KWJ Engineering and SPEC Sensors
dpeaslee@spec-sensors.com

Dr. David Peaslee is a key member of the sensor research and development team for both KWJ Engineering and SPEC Sensors. His research in electrochemical modeling has been pivotal in improving the selectivity and accuracy of SPEC’s electrochemical sensors.

EPA Award: to SPEC Sensors, LLC
Contract Number: EPD17031
Title: Zero Power Electrochemical Formaldehyde Sensor with Novel Catalyst for Indoor Air Quality
Amount: $99, 926.00
Program: SBIR – Phase I
Year: 2017-2018
Principal Investigator: David Peaslee

Wearable for Environmental Monitoring

Title: Low-Cost Wearable Device for Total Environmental Health Monitoring

The World Health Organization (WHO) is predicting more than 6 million deaths this year and untold injury, making air quality the fourth largest contributor to the human disease burden. Additionally, the USAF has indicated a need for a modular wearable instrument, capable of measuring atmospheric volatiles, aerosols, and pollutants. This will enable real time environmental monitoring of the surroundings that service members are exposed to in the workplace and in the home. This will also provide the necessary understanding to assess the risks associated with Total Exposure Health (TEH). SPEC Sensors plans to leverage its expertise in manufacturing commercial gas sensors, as well as its ability to develop novel methods of sensor miniaturization to create a truly wearable environmental sensing solution, which includes a 12-gas mixed sensor array in an initial form factor of 56 cubic inches. With the development of a stable, highly sensitive aerosol/particle detector, this volume is expected to decrease to less than 10 cubic inches. This reduced volume is possible due to the SPEC Sensors’ compact profile and very low power requirements. This technology will enable the USAF (and the average consumer) to identify potential health hazards and to mitigate risks before serious injury to health

Anticipated Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications
Given the link between the quality of the air we breathe and human health, monitoring the presence of contaminants such as environmental

gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and aerosols can directly save millions of lives each year and reduce human suffering. Fewer asthma

attacks, lower potential for stroke and heart attack, and improved physical performance is important not only in athletes but in raising the

quality of all lives. The awareness created will change behavior and lead to improved well-being for people everywhere, in the USAF, in the

American workplace and at home. For the USAF we envision real time monitoring of for industrial working environments such as aircraft

hangers, and even for pilots and crew where a high levels of gas in a confined space may not be detected by a single fixed place monitoring

system. This could have significant impact for flight safety, where early detection of gas leaks could have lifesaving benefits. Global impacts will

increase as the device gets smaller and more affordable to consumers.

David Peaslee
Research and Development
KWJ Engineering and SPEC Sensors
dpeaslee@spec-sensors.com

Department of Defence: to SPEC Sensors, LLC
Contract Number: FA8650-17-P-6891
Title: Low-Cost Wearable Device for Total Environmental Health Monitoring
Amount: $149,361.00
Program: Air Force, SBIR – Phase I
Year: 2017
Principal Investigator: David Peaslee

MEMS Methane Sensor

Title: Inexpensive Low Power Nano-Sensor Based Measurement of Fugitive Methane Emissions

The proposed EPA SBIR Phase I program will create a novel ultra low power and low cost microfabricated CH4 sensor. The initial developments of sensor technology will serve the EPA mission of identifying fugitive methane emissions, and subsequently the very large methane/ natrual gas leak and safety market that has been identified by KWJ and its collaborators. Phase I is dedicated to design, fabrication and testing of the innovative system consisting of a unique MEMS sensor, discreet electronic components and proprietary “smart” algorithm.

Full Abstract

Mel Findlay
Senior Principle Engineer
R&D, Engineering Services, and Product Development
mfindlay@kwjengineering.com

Mr. Findlay has more than 25 years’ experience in environmental chemistry and analytical methods in air and water, with a focus on the development of portable sensors and instrumentation.

EPA Award: to KWJ Engineering, Inc.
Contract Number: EPD17034
Title: Inexpensive Low Power Nano-Sensor Based Measurement of Fugitive Methane Emissions
Amount: $99,989.00
Program: SBIR – Phase I
Year: 2017-2018
Principal Investigator: Michael Carter

Screen-Printed Technology for High Performance Gas Sensors

Title: Screen-Printed Gas Sensor Using Nanoparticulate Catalyst

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to combine the technology for a high performance amperometric gas sensor, AGS, with the fabrication methods of printed electronics, first for sensing carbon monoxide (CO). In Phase I KWJ demonstrated a unique combination of technologies and fabricated a CO sensor that, in performance testing, was compared to commercial sensors 10-100 times larger and 10-100 times more expensive. The new unique geometry sensor response characteristics we as good or better than commercial sensors. The printed-AGS sensor provides a general platform for sensors that is both low cost and high performance. In Phase II, this novel Printed-CO-sensor and the process for fabrication will be optimized and innovative beta-prototypes designed and fabricated. The prototype sensors will be subjected to comprehensive testing and integrated with state-of-the-art electronics including tiny micro-powered RFID technology to demonstrate a fully compensated, high performance, yet low-cost, CO sensor and sensor system. This would represent the first major advancement of AGS technology in the USA in several decades, and the resulting product is potentially disruptive to the marketplace.

Full Abstract

Joseph Stetter
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
KWJ Engineering and SPEC Sensors
JRStetter@KWJengineering.com

For nearly 40 years, Dr. Joseph Stetter has been at the forefront of chemical sensor and associated technology as a leading researcher, entrepreneur, author, and educator.

National Science Foundation award to KWJ Engineering Inc.
Award Number: 1058563
Title: Screen-Printed Gas Sensor Using Nanoparticulate Catalyst
Amount: $1, 357, 293.00
Program: NSF, SBIR – Phase II
Year: 2011
Principal Investigator: Dr. Joseph Stetter

M. T. Carter, J. R. Stetter, M. W. Findlay and V. Patel. “Advanced Electrochemical Gas Sensors Employing Novel Designs and Electrolytes”, 04/15/2012-10/31/2012, 2011, “220th ECS Meeting Boston, MA”.