Chemically modified discriminating gas sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Metal oxide gas sensors are small devices - 2 mm x 2mm that are used to detect trace gases in air. They are widely used in cars (exhausts and air intake vents), in weather balloons, in environmental monitoring (land fill sites) and in ozone detection. They work by showing a change in electrical resistance when exposed to a gas. The problem with these sensors is that they can't distinguish very well, if at all, mixtures of different gasses - for example ammonia and methane both give a change in resistance to the sensor. For these sensors to find wide spread application they need to be able to sense a specific target gas in the presence of a complex gas mixture. To date this has not been acheived. This proposal will generate a new type of sensor that has an additional discriminating sensor layer either on top of the traditional metal oxide or embedded within the metal oxide. This new layer contains a material called a zeolite- essentially a very porous solid that can let certain types of gases permeate through the structure. The zeolite gives enhanced sensitivity and sieves gas molecules on the basis of their size, shape and chemical composition. These zeolite layers will give us enhanced sensitivity and most importantly selectivity. By combining different types of zeolites we are able to make an array of sensors that can function as well as or better than the human nose. Specific problems that can be addressed include:1 Detection of contaiminated water, foodstuffs, chemicals and perfumes.2 A single breath detector that can analyse for a range of diseases and for alcohol/ drug content.3 Environmental monitoring (land fill, waste dump. brown field sites).
Organisations
Publications
Binions R
(2009)
Zeolite-Modified Discriminating Gas Sensors
in Journal of The Electrochemical Society
Varsani P
(2011)
Zeolite-modified WO3 gas sensors - Enhanced detection of NO2
in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical
Afonja A
(2010)
Zeolites as transformation elements in discriminating semiconductor metal oxide sensors
in Procedia Engineering
Description | We have devloped new gas sensor devices with better discrimination. these small sensors are now being applied in the detction of volatile materials including explosives. |
Exploitation Route | The work has facilitated the devlopment of a hand-held electronic nose for detecting pollutants and explosives. |
Sectors | Chemicals Construction Healthcare Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/academic_pages/ivan_parkin |
Description | The work from the project has helped a spin out comapny Aeroqual that now employs 35 people. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Chemicals,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural Economic |
Description | EPSRC equipmnet call |
Amount | £3,600,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M015157/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2016 |
Title | Ondine Biopharma Licence |
Description | Licensed technology to Ondine Biopharma through UCL business |
IP Reference | US20080050448 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Further grant funding |