Labs Idea #10: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Sensing in Car

Author: Sensirion Innovations Team
February 2018

Motivation/Summary

A recent Harvard study measuring cognitive function scores in a controlled office environment demonstrated significant higher cognitive function scores at 550 ppm CO₂ level compared to 745 ppm CO₂ level. The largest effects were seen for Crisis Response, Information Usage, and Strategy, all of which are indicators of higher-level cognitive function and decision making. [Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments, Environ Health Perspect; DOI:10.1289/ehp.1510037]

Approach/Measurement

Sensirion's CO₂ sensor is based on dual-channel nondispersive infrared (NDIR) technology. CO₂ concentration is measured as a function of infrared light absorption.

Figure 1: Nondispersive infrared (NDIR) principle

In a real life test drive the CO₂ level with three persons in the car with airconditioner set to «automatic mode» was mostly above 800 ppm during the 40 min road trip (figure 2).

Figure 2: CO2 level with three persons in a car (red line indicates 800 ppm CO2)

In a real life test drive the CO₂ level with one person in the car with airconditioner set to «automatic mode» was generally below 800 ppm during the 30 min road trip (figure 3).

Figure 3: CO2 level with one person in a car (red line indicates 800 ppm CO2)

The measurements demonstrate that the air is reasonably fresh in A/C automatic mode for one person, but goes well above 800 ppm with three persons in the car.

A CO₂ sensor would allow to actively control CO₂ level in a car reducing risk of driver cognitive function impairment due to high CO₂ concentration.

Implementation

Please refer to Sensirion's website for more information about Sensirion's CO2 sensor.

Patent Information

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