Our team has designed and constructed an Automated Trace Gas Trapping System (ATGTS) that will be used to monitor trace gas amounts of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from soil to the atmosphere. Using a series of molecular sieve and desiccant traps in conjunction with a micro diaphragm pump and solenoid valves, the system will measure the N₂O and CO₂ released from soil every four hours.  This process will repeat for a one month time period until the traps are replaced and sent to a laboratory to quantify the gas measurements.

Our multi-disciplinary team consisting of ME and ECE students is working in conjunction with Dr. Nathaniel Ostrom of the MSU Department of Zoology and Dr. Kurt Smemo of Case Western Reserve University.  Utilizing funding from the Biochemistry Environmental Research Initiative, we have created a device that accurately monitors the ambient temperature and humidity levels wherever the ATGTS is deployed to collect data.  The ATGTS will play an active role in comparing N₂O and CO₂ soil emissions from no-till farm practices and more conventional farm methods.  The intention is that this data will serve as a basis for participation in greenhouse gas emission accounting programs by educators and farmers.

          Team 07 has won the Professor’s Choice Award ($1,500 and a certificate) which is given each semester by the faculty member teaching ECE 480, Senior Capstone Design, to the team judged to have done the most to achieve the objectives of the course and sponsor, particularly taking into account the varying levels of challenge of the projects assigned. Judging is based on reading of the teams’ final reports, examination of their posters/prototypes, and communication with their faculty facilitators.