OPERA-S: AI-driven selective smoke sensor

The potential for fire on spacecraft is one of the major threats for long-term crewed space missions. The impact of low-gravity significantly alters the properties of fire and related smoke particles in spacecraft relative to Earth. Additionally, the materials likely to drive participate in fire is very different in spacecraft compared to structures on Earth. Recognizing the importance of early fire detection, early detection of smoke particles from materials close to likely source of fires is critical. Current sensing technologies are neither smoke-specific nor sensitive enough for early detection. There is a need for new sensing technologies that are selective and sensitive to smoke, and compact and low-cost in size for large-scale deployment throughout a spacecraft. In this Phase 1 project, we will demonstrate that a small compact sensor based on optical-sensing and electrical-mobility measurements can provide a means to identify and classify smoke in real-time. This Phase 1 project will build on our development of an advanced aerosol classification sensor called OPERA (opto-electrical real-time aerosol sensor) for NASA. While the OPERA is being built to provide PM2.5 measurements and broadly classify particles by type, its design forms a starting point to expand for smoke specific sensing. In Phase I, we will modify the OPERA to develop OPERA-S (OPERA- Smoke-specific) and demonstrate in lab studies that the OPERA-S can successfully identify smoke particles generated from combustion of space relevant material.

OPERA-S will be designed for spacecraft application, with the possibility of deployment on ISS and subsequently on other platforms. Smoke detection has been identified as one of the 10 most important challenges to be overcome for successful space exploration and availability of this sensor and its successful demonstration through ISS and other spacecraft deployment will provide confidence for future space missions. The technology from OPERA-S could also form a basis for aerosol sensors to analyze lunar and Martian dust. Smoke sensing, in particular, and composition-selective sensing, in general, can enable optimized operation of ventilation systems in buildings. Such sensors can ensure that threat aerosol are responded with an active mitigation approaches such as purifiers and enhanced filtration, while non-threat aerosol are removed less aggressively. Such an approach will ensure that the provision of health indoor air can be made without increasing energy consumption. Another possible application is for smoke sensing in aircraft. Similar to spacecraft, early, selective detection of smoke can be life saving in airborne platforms.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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