Integrated Terahertz Technologies for Methane Gas Production from Clathrates and Real Time Analysis

The objective of this project is to develop methods and devices to utilize emerging THz technology in clathrate analysis, methane gas extraction from clathrates and real time analysis.

More specifically, in the first step, we will measure THz absorption spectrums of different clathrates using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS) to analyze molecular vibration and rotation characteristics as well as to obtain spectral fingerprint data base.

In the second step we will develop nitride-based semiconductor THz sources and detectors with enhanced characteristics by utilizing combination of our novel plasma wave approach and newly observed electron-transit-time effects. With their large sheet carrier concentrations, large breakdown voltage and high peak electron velocities nitride-based wide band-gap semiconductors have strong candidates for millimeter wave and THz emitters as well as tunable plasmonic THz detectors and filters. On the other hand, resonant absorption of THz radiation by the plasmons at the 2D electron gas in nitride-based HEMTs would allow tunable detection of spectroscopic absorption lines and thereby detection and identification of various chemical molecules including gases.

In the final step, we will experimentally demonstrate the methane gas extraction form methane hydrates by THz electromagnetic radiation excitation and analyze the extracted gas in real-time by using the proposed tunable THz detectors.
ID : 1337
Number of shows: 125
Create date: 06/15/2010 16:15:22
Modify date: 06/17/2010 13:23:36
Proposal No.:  NPRP 09 - 1211 - 2 - 475
Proposal Specialty:  2.02 Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering
LPI Name:  Prof. Cafer Yavuz
Submitting Institution:  Qatar University
Collaborative Institutions:  Florida International University / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute / University of California, Santa Barbara
Project Status:  Awarded