Fiat Chooses Israel’s PML For Emissions Monitoring
by Karin Kloosterman, Jerusalem, Israel on 09.11.06
A car spews out 50 percent of the emissions that form ground-level ozone and up to 90 percent of carbon monoxide in major metropolitan areas. But just how much is your car coughing out, standards bodies want to know. An Israeli company which does what its name describes- Particle Monitoring Technologies (PML)- is leading an international research consortium which aims to develop a method for measuring and analyzing emissions from vehicle engines in order to meet the increasingly strict standards of American and European environmental agencies.
Stationed in the Kinarot-Jordan Valley Technology Incubator and lauded for its ability to monitor particulate matter in water and effluent, PML has recently been picked by European car giant Fiat to head the consortium. According to Israel21c, the consortium financed under the 'EU Sixth Framework Progamme for Research and Development', after three years hopes to have developed an industrial laser-based particles monitoring system for developing and producing nanosensors. ::Israel21c
The EU program will provide $3 million in funding, an important portion of which will be earmarked for original research by PML. Under the project for Fiat, PML will develop monitoring means for the mass production of nanotechnology-based sensors, a development which could have giant implications for the global vehicle market.
"The parameters and standards for gas emission by engines are being raised higher and higher by the EPA and environmental organizations in order to keep our air clean. And emission of gasses is problematic," said Dr. Meir Teichner, the CEO of the Kinarot Incubator and chairman of the board of PML.::Israel21c"The car industry must find a solution to limit pollution and the emission of noxious gases. And in order to control it, you need, at certain places in the engine, to place sensors that are capable of monitoring the gas emission. However sensors have two major requirements - sensitivity and the lesser known one - quickness. So the problem is how do you make the sensors fast enough and sensitive enough to detect in micro-seconds the changes in gasses? The answer is nanosensors - sensors composed of nano particles that have a big surface relative to their size," Teichner told ISRAEL21c.
"With online monitoring, you get the answer immediately, which can make you aware if there's a problem. If you're connected to the control computer, you can adjust the setup to correct the problem, or even stop the process if need be."
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Will the Next New Deal be Transit-Based? Three Plans to Rescue the Economy and the Earth with Public Transportation
- Another Reason to Laugh When They Say that Concrete is Green
- Mercury Pollution Rising
- California Coughing Up $28 Billion a Year in Pollution Costs
The Umbrella Inside Out Fashion Competition Begins!
|
UCS Cartoon Contest: Choose Your Science Idol Today!
|
you can now buy TPx Total Power additive only available to industry for 10 year! you can do your part to lower emissions. http://yourdiesel.com