The visual approach for measuring ammonia in air and water was derived by Pacific Technologies, a sensor development company, capitalizing on eight years of ammonia sensor R&D. The method is adapted from technology developed for highly-sensitivity instruments to measure ammonia in biological, medical and food industry applications.

The achievement has been plastic films responding with easily visible color changes at the ammonia concentrations important in fresh and saltwater systems and can be immersed long-term. Kept in water, the sensors enable the ammonia to be readily determined at any time. The measurement is simply made by matching the sensor color against a reference chart. The sensor film was specially designed to detect NH3 at extremely low concentrations, thereby offering the best protection of the most sensitive aqua systems.

Currently our Ammonia Gas Sensors are predominantly used in the controlled atmosphere storage industries. Apple storage is one such application. However, we are rapidly expanding into other venues such as fish and meat packaging where ammonia can indicate food spoilage. Medical applications have also been identified, particularly in the renal dialysis sector. Please contact us for more information.

Our R&D department has also developed several prototypes for detecting oxygen levels in a noninvasive manner. Applications in the wine industry along with the food packaging industry continue to be explored. Modified atmosphere packaging, or (MAP) is at the forefront of our new technology and is increasingly used around the world. For further information contact us at (425)-497-8494.