Sensor to Detect Explosive or Polluting Gases and Liquids with Greater Speed and Accuracy

Low-Power Chemical Detection Device Remotely Detects and Tracks Presence of Common Gases and Liquid

This compact chemical sensor remotely detects common gases and liquids such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and chloride ions. The market for biosensors and chemical sensors has the highest rate of growth in the sensor industry and is expected to be worth $21 billion by 2016. Because gases such as hydrogen are extremely flammable and explosive, facilities that use these gases must have sensors that transmit data to an outside monitoring station. Any time saved in detection could prove imperative for safety. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a lightweight, compact chemical sensor that wirelessly transmits data to a monitoring station with an overall response time of about 1 to 2 seconds. This device provides a much faster and safer alternative to available technologies, which typically require more time and often send false alarms. The technology also uses less power and can be customized to detect a specific gas or combination of gases.

Application

Portable wireless sensor quickly detects hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and chlorine ions for aeronautical, environmental and medical applications

Advantages

• Functions in high temperatures and harsh environments, decreasing risk of false alarm signals
• Wirelessly transmits data in 1 to 2 seconds, enhancing safety
• Sensor and monitoring system gets results using less than 30 nanowatts, providing a cost-effective alternative to conventional sensors

Technology

The sensor system includes a low-power gas detector that provides data about chemicals in the immediate environment. A differential detection interface connects the sensor with a microcontroller to amplify and process the data, and a wireless transmitter connected to the microcontroller transmits the processed data. A central monitoring station including a wireless receiver receives the sensor data signal from the wireless transmitter to inform the user.