Automotive and transportation companies face the dual and often competing pressures for improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions of dangerous pollutants. In response, BMS has developed innovative sensor technologies to help meet the more stringent requirements coming into effect in this next decade in the US, Europe and Japan.

As part of this initiative, BMS has developed a diesel exhaust emission sensor capable of long-term reliable detection of NOx/nitrogen oxide at levels of 1 ppm, sub-second response time, and sustained operation at temperatures greater than 500C. This product is capable of meeting the needs of the automotive industry for a diesel engine nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions sensor that can be used for both on-board diagnostics and emissions reduction. 

Market Need for NOx/Nitrogen Oxide Sensors

Current diesel technology offers high fuel economy without sacrifice of power or performance, using about 25 percent less fuel than gasoline engines in light trucks and as much as 70 percent less fuel in heavy trucks. However a major drawback of diesel engines is that they produce significant amounts of the pollutant gas nitrogen oxide (NOx). After-treatment technologies will require sensors capable of detecting NOx/nitrogen oxide, however no NOx sensor on the market is capable of meeting all customer requirements. Limitations with current sensors include: limited lifetimes due to complex designs and/or non-organic contaminants, cross-sensitivity to the ammonia used in treatment systems, and response times longer than what is required by the treatment system.

Diesel Exhaust Emission Sensor Performance

In response from a request from the National Science Foundation to develop innovative sensor technologies that could enable wider adoption of diesel engine technology, BMS began development of its Diesel Exhaust Emission Sensor. This program was able to demonstrate the following:

* Continuous operation of the sensor platform to temperatures as high as 700C

* Detection of NOx at temperatures as high as 500C

* Continuous operation of the sensor for 1000 hrs at 430C

* No degradation of performance during cycling between 430 and 630C

* Sensitivity to 1 ppm NOx

* Response time of ~1 second

* Selectivity to common interferents including O2, water vapor, CO, CO2, hydrocarbons

* Thermal regeneration of sensors

* Operation under SO2 poisoning conditions with periodic refresh cycles

BMS is currently seeking an industrial partner to work with to commercialize this product.