Gas sensors for climate research

In climate research, the availability of datasets providing information on the spatial and temporal characteristics of green-house gases are of high relevance for the development of reliable climate simulations. However, current gas measurement technologies does not lead to data in the quality and the scales needed for multiple reasons. To contribute to the ongoing search for a suitable method, a novel NDIR-type measurement system is presented that can provide high quality data of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations under field conditions at a fast measurement rate. Because of its low power requirements and its robust, low-maintenance and low-cost design, it is particularly suitable for the use as a sensor node as part of large-scale in-situ gas sensor networks.