Alcotek and Law Enforcement

Holistic and Durable Design

Alcotek has a long history of supporting Law Enforcement and the public mission to remove impaired drivers and operators from the public transportation networks. Law Enforcement officers expect their equipment to be robust and durable, easy to operate, safe, and cost effective. But more than anything else, they want their measuring equipment to be accurate with simple regimens that ensure continued accuracy. Delivering on all these fronts requires a holistic approach to the design; everything about an instrument design contributes to the perfection of the measurement in some way.

Starting with the sensor itself, we design and build complete fuel cell assemblies for use as alcohol sensors. We use the highest quality Platinum catalyst and porous substrates to fabricate fuel cell electrodes of many sizes and shapes. We assemble the electrodes along with other components such as Platinum wires, custom thermoplastic housings, and gas-permeable membranes into durable sensor assemblies ready for system integration.

Accuracy in Measurement

Further, we design and build custom electromechanical mechanisms for gas sample capture. These mechanisms are mated with fuel cell assemblies as the basis for alcohol concentration measurement in breath and other alcohol containing vapors.

We also design and fabricate the electronic circuits to interface samplers and sensors with microprocessors, power systems, and other components to create complete electromechanical systems for gas analysis. We design, code, and test firmware for these systems. The firmware typically includes detailed measurement algorithms and sophisticated functionality to execute an extensive array of functions in real time. The firmware may also interface the measurement system with displays, buttons, and other inputs and outputs.

By being in control of the many parts that contribute to the whole, we are able to design and build complete measuring instruments incorporating gas analysis systems into ergonomic and robust housings of various types. Such complete instrument designs often facilitate the use of certain accessories, and may include other functionality, such as wireless communication and network integration.

By paying attention to every aspect of the design and manufacture, we can give Law Enforcement what they want more than anything else, an instrument that will deliver unassailable evidence in a court of law, ensuring that the time and effort that they have put into any particular case of impaired driving is not wasted and justice is served.