MEMS CHIP CO2 SENSOR FOR BUILDING SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
The objective of this research was to develop an affordable, reliable sensor to enable demand controlled ventilation (DCV). A significant portion of total energy consumption in the United States is used for heating or air conditioning (HVAC) buildings. To assure occupant safety and fresh air levels in large buildings, and especially those with sealed windows, HVAC systems are frequently run in excess of true requirements as automated systems cannot now tell the occupancy level of interior spaces. If such a sensor (e.g. thermostat sized device) were available, it would reduce energy use between 10 and 20% in such buildings. A quantitative measure of ''fresh air'' is the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) present. An inert gas, CO{sub 2} is not easily detected by chemical sensors and is usually measured by infrared spectroscopy. Ion Optics research developed a complete infrared sensor package on a single MEMS chip. It contains the infrared (IR) source, IR detector and IR filter. The device resulting from this DOE sponsored research has sufficient sensitivity, lifetime, and drift rate to meet the specifications of commercial instrument manufacturers who are now testing the device for use in their building systems.
- Research Organization:
- Ion Optics, Inc.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC26-04NT41970
- OSTI ID:
- 860161
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
WESBES: A Wireless Embedded Sensor for Improving Human Comfort Metrics using Temporospatially Correlated Data
Saving energy and optimizing air quality using carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2})
Related Subjects
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR CONDITIONING
CARBON DIOXIDE
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
HEATING
HVAC SYSTEMS
LIFETIME
MANUFACTURERS
OCCUPANTS
OPTICS
SAFETY
SENSITIVITY
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECTROSCOPY
TESTING
THERMOSTATS
VENTILATION
WINDOWS