Progress 07/01/23 to 02/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:During the recent reporting period, RedNOx primarily focused on agricultural companies as its target audience. Key engagements were with companies like Corteve and ICL-Group, prominent players in the agriculture sector. These engagements were significantly influenced by the exposure received from a Chemical and Engineering News article highlighting the innovative aspects of RedNOx's NOx/N2O system. This article played a crucial role in reaching our target audience, demonstrating RedNOx's commitment to addressing environmental challenges in agriculture. Additionally, our efforts in intellectual property protection, evidenced by filing two provisional patents based on our inventions, further solidified our position in the market. This strategic move not only enhanced our credibility but also attracted attention from these targeted agricultural companies, who value innovative and protected technologies. The focus on this sector aligns with our goal of contributing to environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, addressing the needs of a market increasingly conscious of its ecological footprint. In sum, our work during this period mattered to these agricultural entities because it offered them a path to integrate cutting-edge, environmentally responsible technologies into their operations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided significant opportunities for training and professional development, most notably through the participation of the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Solomon Ssenyange, in the African Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2023. This event was a vital platform for learning and development in the context of environmental sustainability and agricultural practices. During the summit, Dr. Ssenyange gained valuable insights into the role of RedNOx's product in reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in the agricultural sector. This understanding is crucial for the ongoing development and application of our technology, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the market. Additionally, the summit provided an avenue to explore the future use of our product in the context of carbon credits, a growing area of interest and importance in global environmental efforts. This professional development opportunity was made possible through the funds provided by the USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This funding not only facilitated Dr. Ssenyange's attendance at the summit but also underscored the importance of continual learning and engagement with global environmental initiatives, which are integral to the success and relevance of our project in the current climate-conscious landscape. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The dissemination of our project results to relevant communities of interest has been primarily facilitated through initiating discussions with industry partners. Notably, we have engaged with significant players in the agricultural sector, such as Corteva and ICL. These discussions have revolved around potential collaborations to test our product in their fields. This approach of partnering with established industry entities serves as a direct and effective method of disseminating our findings and the capabilities of our product. By engaging these partners in practical, field-level testing, we not only showcase the practical applications of our technology but also ensure that the information reaches those who can directly benefit from and apply it in real-world scenarios. Such collaborations also enable a feedback loop, where insights gained from field tests can be used to refine and improve our product, ensuring that it meets the specific needs and challenges faced by these industry partners. This strategy of dissemination ensures that our results are shared in a way that is both practical and impactful, directly reaching and engaging the communities that are most relevant to our project's focus. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, our primary focus will be on advancing towards the full accomplishment of goals #3 and #4, as outlined in our Phase I objectives. To achieve this, we have planned a series of strategic actions: 1. **Development of the Integrated System (Goal #3)**: We will continue the development of our prototype integrated system designed for field demonstration testing. This involves refining the technology based on feedback received from initial trials and ensuring that it meets the specific needs of agricultural field measurements. 2. **Field Testing with Industry Partners (Goal #4)**: In collaboration with industry partners like Corteva and ICL, we will initiate comprehensive field testing. These tests are crucial for demonstrating the feasibility of in-situ measurement of N2O and NOx during crop rotation cycles. By working closely with these partners, we aim to test our product under real-world conditions, gaining valuable insights into its performance and efficacy. 3. **Data Collection and Analysis**: Throughout the field testing phase, we will collect and analyze data to assess the performance of our system. This data will be crucial in demonstrating the effectiveness of our technology in real agricultural settings and will guide further improvements. 4. **Engaging with Agricultural Communities**: We plan to maintain engagement with agricultural communities, sharing insights and developments from our field tests. This continued interaction will help in fine-tuning our technology to meet the evolving needs of the agriculture sector. 5. **Preparing for Scale-Up**: In anticipation of successful field tests, we will begin preparations for scaling up our technology. This includes planning for manufacturing, distribution, and exploring additional partnerships and market opportunities. By focusing on these key areas, we aim to not only accomplish our set goals but also lay a strong foundation for the broader application and impact of our technology in the agriculture sector.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In the current phase of our project, RedNOx has successfully achieved the first two of our Phase I goals. Firstly, we have demonstrated a low-cost, sub-parts-per-million (ppm) Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) system for nitrous oxide (N2O) measurement. This system is specifically tailored for agricultural field measurements, aligning with the needs of our target audience in the agriculture sector. Secondly, we have successfully demonstrated a solid-state parts-per-billion (ppb) nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission measurement sensor. This sensor is based on the OSU solid-state sensor platform, showcasing our commitment to innovation and advanced technology in environmental monitoring. While we have made significant progress on goals #3 and #4, these are ongoing and are expected to be fully accomplished in FY 2024. Currently, we are in the development phase of an integrated system that will support field demonstration testing (goal #3). Concurrently, we have initiated the process for conducting field testing with OSU to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ measurement of N2O and NOx during the crop rotation cycle (goal #4). These steps are crucial for the practical application of our technology in real-world agricultural settings and will further establish the efficacy and utility of our systems in environmental monitoring within the agricultural sector.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: https://cen.acs.org/food/agriculture/USDA-funds-food-agriculture-start/101/i29

Progress 07/01/23 to 02/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Throughout the reporting period, RedNOx concentrated its efforts on engaging with companies in the agricultural sector, specifically targeting industry leaders such as Pivot-Bio, Corteva, and ICL-Group. The traction gained from a Chemical and Engineering News article, which spotlighted RedNOx's innovative NOx/N2O system, was pivotal in connecting with these key players. This coverage underscored RedNOx's dedication to tackling environmental issues within agriculture, significantly boosting our visibility among our target audience. Moreover, RedNOx took substantial steps to protect its intellectual property by filing two provisional patents for our inventions. This action not only bolstered our market standing but also appealed to the agricultural companies we targeted, who prioritize innovation and the security of technology. Our strategic focus on the agricultural sector was driven by our ambition to promote sustainable farming practices. We aimed to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions, offering our partners technologies that could seamlessly integrate into their existing operations and reduce their environmental impact. In essence, our activities during this period were impactful to these agricultural firms because we provided them with opportunities to adopt advanced, eco-friendly technologies, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability in agriculture. Changes/Problems:One significant change in our project approach was the adaptation of our plan for conducting field trials of our NOx/N2O sensor technology. Initially, we intended to conduct these trials directly in agricultural fields during the growing season to measure NOx and N2O emissions from applied fertilizers. However, the project's start date in July presented a critical timing issue, as it fell after the onset of the typical growing season. This timing misalignment meant that we were unable to deploy our sensors in time to capture NOx and N2O emissions directly from fertilizers applied in field conditions, which are crucial for validating the effectiveness and accuracy of our sensors in real-world agricultural settings. Given the importance of demonstrating the utility of our NOx/N2O sensors under conditions that closely mimic their intended use, we shifted our approach to simulate these field conditions within a controlled laboratory environment using soil cores. This method involved preparing soil cores to replicate the conditions of agricultural fields as closely as possible. We then applied fertilizers to these soil cores, allowing us to measure the NOx and N2O emissions in a manner that simulates field conditions. Although this approach differed from our original plan to conduct in-field measurements, it provided a viable alternative for testing our sensors' performance in detecting and quantifying NOx and N2O emissions resulting from fertilizer application. This change in approach was driven by the necessity to adapt to the constraints imposed by our project's timing relative to the agricultural calendar. It underscores the importance of flexibility in research methodologies, especially when dealing with environmental and agricultural technologies that are highly dependent on seasonal factors. As for special and/or additional reporting requirements specified in the award Terms and Conditions, any modifications to the project scope, including major changes in the research approach such as this, were promptly communicated to our funding agency. Detailed documentation of the rationale for these changes, the methods used for simulated field trials, and the findings from these laboratory-based experiments were included in our interim and final project reports. This ensured transparency with our funders and maintained the integrity of the project's scientific inquiry, despite the unforeseen adjustments to our planned research methodology. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided several significant opportunities for training and professional development, particularly for a graduate student involved in the research and development of the NOx/N2O sensor technology. Here are the key training and professional development opportunities highlighted by the project: 1. Hands-On Experience with Advanced Sensor Technology: The graduate student gained invaluable hands-on experience in the development and testing of cutting-edge sensor technology for environmental monitoring. This included fabricating and laboratory testing of sensors, integrating sensors into a prototype soil probe, and conducting comprehensive lab soil core experiments. Such experience is crucial for building a practical understanding of sensor technology, data acquisition, and analysis. 2. Research and Development Skills: The project offered the graduate student the opportunity to engage in the full cycle of research and development, from conceptualization to prototype testing. This experience helped in honing research skills, including problem-solving, innovation, and the application of scientific and engineering principles to address real-world environmental challenges. 3. Data Analysis and Interpretation: Working with the NOx/N2O sensors and analyzing the data collected from lab experiments provided the student with critical skills in data analysis and interpretation. Understanding how to process and analyze environmental data is essential for a career in scientific research and environmental monitoring. 4. Scientific Communication: The graduate student had the opportunity to present their research findings at a conference in the spring of 2024, through a poster presentation. This experience was invaluable for developing scientific communication skills, including the ability to summarize research findings, design engaging visual presentations, and effectively communicate complex scientific information to an audience of peers and experts in the field. 5. Networking and Collaboration: Participation in the conference and engagement with the research community provided a platform for the student to network with other researchers, professionals, and industry leaders. This exposure is crucial for professional growth, offering opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and potential career opportunities. 6. Professional Recognition: Presenting research findings at a conference contributes to the student's professional recognition in the field. It offers a platform to showcase their contribution to advancing sensor technology for environmental monitoring, establishing their reputation in the scientific community. These opportunities collectively contribute to the graduate student's professional development, equipping them with a broad range of skills and experiences that are valuable for a successful career in environmental science, sensor technology, and related fields. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The dissemination of the project's findings, which focused on the development and application of innovative NOx/N2O sensors for environmental monitoring in agricultural contexts, was achieved through several targeted approaches: 1. Scientific Conferences: The graduate student's contribution, through the presentation of research findings via a poster session at a conference in spring 2024, provided a direct avenue for sharing the project's outcomes with the academic and research community. This opportunity facilitated valuable interactions with field experts, fostering dialogues, receiving constructive feedback, and exploring potential research collaborations. 2. Technical Reports and White Papers: The project team produced detailed technical reports and white papers that elaborated on the research methodology, development of the sensor technology, testing results, and the potential impact of these findings on environmental monitoring and agricultural practices. These documents were disseminated through the project's official website and shared with a targeted audience including industry stakeholders, policy makers, and environmental groups via email distribution lists. 3. Online Platforms: The project maintained an active online presence, updating the official project website with the latest research findings, news, and events related to the project. This approach ensured that the project's progress and successes were accessible to a broad audience, including interested laypersons, thereby raising awareness about technological advancements in environmental monitoring. 4. Industry Collaborations and Demonstrations: The project established significant collaborations with industry partners, facilitating real-world demonstrations of the sensor technology. These practical demonstrations highlighted the sensors' utility in agricultural settings, helping to validate the technology and encourage its integration into standard agricultural practices. 5. Featured in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN): The project gained substantial visibility after being featured in an article by Chemical & Engineering News. This coverage spotlighted the innovative aspects of the NOx/N2O sensor technology and its implications for sustainable agriculture. The exposure attracted interest from fertilizer companies keen on exploring cutting-edge solutions to environmental challenges in agriculture. Additionally, the feature caught the attention of venture capitalists (VCs), who reached out to the project team to discuss potential funding opportunities and collaborations, indicating a strong interest in the commercial potential of the sensor technology. By strategically selecting these channels for disseminating the project's results, the team ensured that the innovative NOx/N2O sensor technology was communicated to a diverse audience, spanning from academic peers and industry professionals to potential investors interested in sustainable agricultural innovations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Under the Phase I goals, significant accomplishments were achieved in developing and testing a novel sensor system for measuring nitrogen oxide gases in agricultural settings. Here's a summary of what was accomplished aligned with the specific Phase I goals: 1. Low Cost, Sub-ppm NDIR System for N2O Measurement: The project successfully developed a sensor capable of selectively measuring N2O concentrations ranging from 200 ppb to 5 ppm with minimal interference from humidity and CO2. The sensor utilized a 16-inch single-path optical configuration and demonstrated the ability to achieve these measurements through lab testing. 2. Solid-state ppb NOx Emission Measurement Sensor Based on OSU Solid-state Sensor Platform: A solid-state sensor for NOx (NO+NO2) measurement was developed, capable of detecting NOx levels from 125 ppb to 5 ppm. This represents a significant innovation in the agriculture space, providing a low-cost solution for measuring low ppb levels of NOx. 3. Prototype Integrated System to Support Field Demonstration Testing: A prototype soil probe integrated with the developed NOx and N2O sensors was designed and built. This device, capable of penetrating soil to capture subsurface gases, represents a significant advancement in the ability to measure nitrogen oxide gases emitted from soil processes in agricultural fields. 4. Field Testing with OSU to Demonstrate Feasibility of In-Situ Measurement of N2O and NOx During Crop Rotation Cycle: Although original plans for field testing were adjusted due to timing constraints, comprehensive lab soil core experiments were conducted instead. These experiments simulated agricultural field conditions and included fertilizer evaluation. The results demonstrated that the RedNOx device and sensors could effectively measure NOx and N2O emissions in conditions mimicking agricultural fields, confirming the feasibility of in-situ measurements. These achievements indicate successful development and initial testing of a novel sensor system for accurate, low-cost measurement of N2O and NOx emissions from agricultural soils. This system has the potential to provide critical data for optimizing fertilizer use, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture.

Publications