Technology
Pher·Emit® was developed by Med-E-Cell, using Med-E-Cell’s PRIME MOVER™ technology, with the assistance of USDA and Forest Service grants. Commodity products, such as pheromone and fragrance releasers, require the use of low cost gas generators. Med-E-Cell has developed a unique oxygen (from air) technology (patents pending) that is cost-compatible with disposable, economical releasers.
Med-E-Cell's PRIME MOVER™ technology is based on the electrochemical generation of gases that are used, mainly, to produce mechanical work. The gas generation process is simple, clean, energy efficient and compatible with the voltages available from small, commercial batteries.
Oxygen (extracted from air) is often the primary motive gas, operating pumps, compressors and the like. In some instances, oxygen is used directly to create oxygen-rich (100% oxygen) or oxygen-depleted (down to 200 ppm) environments.
More recently, Med-E-Cell has developed a carbon dioxide electrochemical generation technology, initially directed towards attracting insects (mosquitoes) but also suited for mechanical actuations.
Key properties of these Med-E-Cell technologies used in various fluid delivery devices include:
- precise control of the gas generation rate
- reversibility of the process leading to reciprocating motion devices
- ability to control oxygen levels, even at high pressures
- ability to convert battery energy into useful work.
Pher·Emit® is a low-cost off-shoot of Med-E-Cell’s fluid delivery technology and can be set to operate at any rate over a broad dynamic range, with emanation rates considerably less temperature-sensitive than passive releasers. It is available as a disposable product (weeks to months of continuous operation) or as a re-usable releasers set to operate multiple times over long time periods (even years).
