To be eligible for the 1995 awards, the products and processes entered had to be available for sale or licensing during 1994. An exhibit of the award winners remained on display at the museum through mid-October. This instrument detects toxic metals emitted by incinerators and plasma furnaces used for waste processing. Using microwave technology, the monitor energizes contaminants so they are more readily detected as they come out of the treatment plant. The monitor enables workers to determine if the facility is operating in compliance with environmental regulations.
Workers also can control the process to prevent toxic emissions.
This dime-sized film sensor monitors gasoline and petroleum spills in real time and can identify contamination to parts per billion. The microsensor has a layer of cone-shaped molecules bonded to an electrical transducer. The molecules act like traps for organic toxins. The sensor works like a reusable sponge, holding contaminants temporarily, then releasing them at the desired time. The sensor has both air quality and groundwater monitoring applications.