Space Age Sensor for Earth

Miniaturised ceramic sesors, originally developed foruseful in many cases where you need to measure
the European Space Agengy(ESA). find increasingambient conditions on Earth.
applications here on earth;in medical analysis , sports  "One application where the sensor is particularly
training and even environmental protection.....................useful is measurement of the human breath.With this
  It all began in 1993 when the institute of Spacesensor we can measure oxygen ,carbon dioxide and
Systems(IRS) of the University of Stuttgart startedobtain the results immediately something which is
to develop special ceramic gas sensors to measureimpossible with conventional systems"."The very
re-entry conditions for spacegraft.The sensors werequick time makes it possible to obtain a very
used-at time -to measure oxygen levels in the windaccurate breath -by-breath analysis.As the sensor is
tunnels which tested the various heat shield materialslight and very small it can be incorporated in the
that would be used in spacecraft design."The sensorsmask and used for instance in hospitals and clinics or
avalible then were no good for testing spacecraftby top athletes during extrame strain
systems because they were big.heavy and used a lotconditions.Further development could even lead to a
of heating power". explains Rainer Baumann from thespecial mask for monitoring and evaluating the health
Technical University of Dresden who participated inof astronauts undertaking space mission.
the development of this very small type of sensor.  REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
  "so we had to develop a new type of senor to  Another terrestrial applications for the sensor the
measure re-entry conditions for spacecraft.Theresearcher says that is the control of exhaust gases
sensors had to be very small and capable ofin heating systems for home and industry.The
measuring oxygen at high altitudes and duringmajority of the man produced pollutants on the Earth
re-entry.Although the sensors were originallyoriginate from burning processing in automotive
developed for the space programme the technologyindustrial and domestic applications and the sensor
when shown to industry at a series of presentationcan be used to control and optimise these
by ESA's Technology Transfer Programme-attactedcombustion processes."If you place the sensor in the
a great deal of interest for possible use inexhaust gases you can control the heaters in real
earth-based applications.The main mission of ESA'stime by using a special algorithm and ensure that the
Tecnology Transfer Programme Office is to facilitateburner operates at an optimum level "says Baumann
the use of space technology for non-space  "This system can reduce the exhaust gases that
applications.The TTPO is also responsible for theare harmful for the environment and at the same
funding of such start-up companies that will aid in thetime-by ensuring the heating system works at an
initiative.optimum level -it can also reduse fuel consumption by
  As a result three IRS employees, together withabout 10 to 15%
thw former head of the IRS institute founded the  SPOTTING HYDROGEN LEAKAGE
Germany-based company ESCUBE Space Sensor  Another terrestrial application for the miniature
system GmbH in 2000 to further develop and marketsensor is the development of handy easy-to-use
the sensor for use in the field of modern gas analysis.portable system to test for hydrocarbon leakage in
  ACCURATE HUMAN BREATH ANALYSISindustrial installations such as the ones used for
  Its very easy to find terrestrial apllication for thismanufacturing fuel cells.
miniaturised gas sensor.It reacts very fast and this is