Novel NOx sensing technology determining value by looking at patent potential and possible partnerships

Professor Michael Cima in MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a new approach for sensing NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide), and Christophoros Vassiliou, a Masters of Engineering student in Electrical Engineering, is working with Cima on the development of the technology in the lab. The novelty of the electrochemical sensor is that it employs a molten alkali carbonate electrolyte as opposed to sensors with solid electrolytes, which are generally used. While the science of the sensor is still under development, Cima has targeted diesel engines for implementation. The purpose of this thesis was to assess the value of the technology and suggest possible actions. By looking at the structure, trends, and competitive drivers in the market for automotive gas sensors, I have outlined the plausibility and grounds for obtaining a patent and also suggested possible licensing opportunities or partners to fund reduction to practice. Such companies include Ceramatec, Bosch, and City Technology.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Watson, Whitney E

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Michael J. Cima.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/114080

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/114080