The i-SPECTM Q-100 Handheld Biodiesel Analyzer, developed by Milwaukee-based Paradigm Sensors LLC, with technology acquired from Marquette University, was recently honored with an R&D award from R&D Magazine as one of the most technologically significant products of the year.
The i-SPECTM Q 100 technology was developed at Marquette University’s College of Engineering under the direction of Martin Seitz, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the university’s Center for Materials Science Technology.
Robert Young, founder of Milwaukee-based Paradigm Sensors, introduced the i-SPEC at the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo.
According to Stan Jaskolski, Opus Dean of Engineering at Marquette, the analyzer uses technology known as electrical impedance spectroscopy to detect and analyze the components of fluid. In the case of biodiesel, it detects glycerin, acid number, blend percent, and methanol.
“With biodiesel, the question is always, ‘What does that fuel have in it?’ The sensor allows you to know the constituents quickly,” Jaskolski said.
Prior to the sensor, in order to determine the components of any fluid, a vial of the liquid would have to be sent to a lab.
“Previously, in order to determine the components of biodiesel, or any fluid, it could take as long as a few days. This is the first sensor, to my knowledge, which is used in real time, in situations where it can constantly report the constituents,” Jaskolski said.
“That analysis of the alternative fuel is important, in order to prevent problems caused by bad biodiesel mixes that can cause mechanical problems in vehicles and machinery,” Young said.
According to Seitz, the analyzer is a faster and more efficient way to analyze biodiesel content.
Seitz and his team began working on the technology for the analyzer nearly 40 years ago, said Mark Polczynski, director of the Master of Science Engineering Management Program at Marquette, and one of the first Ph.D students to work under Seitz.
“As a Ph.D student, I used the impedance spectroscopy technology on biological materials like fruits – apples and bananas – to sense ripening,” he said.
Polczynski later began working at Milwaukee-based A.O. Smith Corp. as a principal engineer. In 1988, he started a project with Marquette University and Seitz to
do a sensor, using impedance spectroscopy, for the sadder that is used in electron-ic circuits.
“When that product was developed, it also won an R&D 100 award in 1996, but it is important to realize that it took about 25 years after first looking at the technology to get it into the first marketable product,” Polczynski said.
After returning to Marquette, Polcyznksi introduced Young to Jaskolski, which sparked the formation of the company Paradigm Sensors.
“After I met him, I mentioned to (Young) that I was looking for someone to translate this research into some product opportunities,” Jaskolski said. “I invited him down to review the work and to meet the faculty and the students and the post doc students we had working on it. We did all of that, and he came back to me and said, ‘I think you’ve got the technology for a very interesting device that we could commercialize. That was the genesis of the whole idea.”
According to Jaskolski, the university put together some funding that would allow the involved faculty and grad students to become employed at Paradigm Sensors.
After two years, Paradigm Sensors has expanded its workforce from five original employees to 12, many of whom are alumni of Seitz’s program with impedance spectroscopy.
“Here in the university and particularly in the College of Engineering, we are heavily involved in developing technology in the forefront. We are always looking to advance our research into real products that might be picked up by a start-up or mainline company,” said Jaskolski. “This is a great example of what we’d like to do over and over again. We are trying to enhance the quality of life and standard of living of the community by spitting out new business opportunities for our students and community.” n
