NSF Convergence Accelerator Real-World Chemical Sensing Applications: Innovative approach to monitor methane emissions from livestock using an advanced gravimetric microsensor

Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay ME

Investigators

Abstract

The U.S. dairy industry makes a substantial contribution to the country’s economy. Yet, the industry faces the challenge of balancing the increasing demand for milk production to feed a growing population with the need to maintain environmental resilience. Methane production by ruminant livestock is considered one of the major environmental concerns in the industry, and an increasing number of options, particularly feed additives, have emerged to mitigate methane emissions. This project will generate an end-to-end service that directly measures the on-farm methane emission levels for individual cows and dairy herds and uses that information to establish financial returns to farmers and processors. This will create monetary incentives to implement methane reductions, resulting in enhanced economic and environmental resilience for dairy producers. Additional broader impacts involve early-career scientists in sensor development, engagement of fifth-grade and high school students in existing on-farm programs, and This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.