Understanding Fire Through Improved Technology

About this technology

Overview

Researchers from NASA's Microgravity Combustion program at Glenn Research Center needed a laser capable of high sensitivity trace gas detection at unique wavelengths as part of their work to measure fire behaviors. NASA granted Southwest Sciences, Inc., a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a diode laser that could meet the specific measurement requirements. The company developed Aztec,T a broadly tunable external cavity diode laser that offers unprecedented wavelength agility and tuning speed. The Aztec's applications range from protecting astronauts in space to improving combustion processes on Earth. It may serve as a new tool for planetary exploration, as it can detect a wide range of multiple gas species in planetary atmospheres. The laser could optically detect gaseous indicators of incipient fires on the International Space Station and Space Shuttle, as well as detect low concentrations of potentially toxic gases in spacecraft crew habitats. The laser could also provide more accurate fire detection in aircraft cargo compartments. Since the Aztec can detect several gases that only evolve during an actual fire, its implementation could reduce the large number of commercial aircraft landings that currently occur due to false alarms. Other applications include environmental and industrial process monitoring. AztecT is a trademark of Southwest Sciences, Inc.