Summary: The objectives for this project were: I.1. Year 1: 0.1 ppm Ethylene Sensor Development and Demonstration 1) Design and fabricate prototypes for near real-time ethylene testing at 0.1 ppm and higher, with simple operation and maintenance. This system will be designed in a modular fashion such that manufacturing, assembly, and component replacement for maintenance are rendered very efficient. 2) Test and evaluate performance of prototype in laboratory and field. The critical parameters to be evaluated are sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and stability. We will use the results as a basis for production engineering and commercialization of a hand-held package, which would include all the required cost and performance attributes necessary for the apple post harvest market. I.2. Year 2: Low Cost Miniaturized Prototype Development and Demonstration Design, fabricate, and field test a miniaturized and low cost version of the prototype for near realtime ethylene testing at 0.1 ppm levels.
