Sensor Applications

Mission

The mission of the Sensor Applications group is to develop and apply advanced High Energy Laser (HEL) and sensor technologies to address the monitoring needs of government and industrial customers.

PSI Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Sensor Development LyoFlux Water Vapor Mass Flux Monitor for Pharmaceutical Lyophilzation

Core Competencies

Core competencies include High Energy Laser (HEL) development and kinetic studies, alkali gas laser development, atomic spectroscopy based sensors, tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), fluorescence and chemiluminescence spectroscopy, optically-based mass flux measurements, pharmaceutical fill/finish monitoring (lyophilizer and barrier isolator operations), and commercial sensor product development. The Sensor Applications group has the skills and experience required to transform laboratory prototype sensors into documented and certified commercial products designed for continuous, autonomous operation in regulated industries.

Current Research Thrusts Include:

• High Energy Laser (HEL) Development

         - Sponsors: AFRL, MDA, DARPA

         - Objectives: Design and develop high power Chemical Oxygen Iodine Lasers (COIL), micro-COIL,

            Electric Oxygen Iodine Lasers (EOIL) and Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPAL) for tactical

            and strategic defense systems

• Lyophilizer monitoring for the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries:

         - Sponsors: NIH and IMA Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems

         - Objectives: Monitor the rate of water removal during laboratory and manufacturing scale freeze-

            drying; link critical product quality parameters to the sublimation rate.

• Barrier Isolator monitoring for pharmaceutical fill/finish operations

         - Sponsor: NIH

         - Objectives: Develop a wide dynamic range, robust, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP)

            concentration monitor for barrier isolator decontamination monitoring.

• Pharmaceutical Spray Coater Monitoring

         - Sponsor: Pharmaceutical industry customer 

         - Objectives: Develop, certify and deliver a TDLAS-based solvent vapor detection system to

            monitor spray coating operations.

• MIcrowave Driven plama Jet source (MIDJet) for materials processing

         - Sponsors: Industrial

         - Objectives: Advanced application of MIDJet for high speed solar cell production and

            nano-materials processing
 

Area Leadership

Mr. William Kessler

The Sensor Applications Group is led by Mr. William Kessler. Mr. Kessler has over 20 years of experience developing and applying advanced optical sensors. For the past 8 years, Mr. Kessler has led the introduction of TDLAS monitoring technology into the pharmaceutical industry.

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