Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, DC              December 15, 1995
(Phone:  202/358-1779)

Michael Finneran
Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
(Phone:  804/864-8150)


RELEASE:  95-218

NEW DEVICE REMOVES DEADLY CARBON MONOXIDE

     Homeowners everywhere someday soon may be protected 
from deadly carbon monoxide fumes, thanks to a device 
invented at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. 

      The device uses a new class of low-temperature 
oxidation catalysts to convert carbon monoxide to non-toxic 
carbon dioxide at room temperature.  It also can remove 
formaldehyde fumes. The catalysts initially were developed 
for research involving carbon dioxide lasers. 

     Industry already has shown an interest in the device.  
Rochester Gas and Electric Co., Rochester, NY, has an 
agreement with Langley to develop a product for use in 
homes, cars and aircraft. 

     The Mantic Corp., Salt Lake City, UT, plans to use 
them in breathing apparatus, such as firefighter masks.  
The catalysts also have applications as trace-gas detectors 
and in cold-engine emission control.

     To work, the catalysts are applied to a surface; air 
passing over the surface reacts with the catalysts, 
transforming carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.  The device 
requires no energy for operation, doesn't need to be 
plugged in, has no moving parts and lasts a long time. 

     "Simplicity is the beauty of this technology.  It just 
sits there and works on its own," said Dr. Billy T. 
Upchurch, of Langley's Experimental Testing Technology 
Division.

                    -end-

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