A Wireless Hybrid Chemical Sensor for Detection of Environmental Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

A hybrid sensor for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air is developed. The device combines two orthogonal sensing principles, selective molecular binding with a microfabricated quartz tuning fork detector and separation of analytes with a column. The tuning fork detector is functionalized with molecular imprinted polymers for selective binding to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), and the separation column provides further discrimination of the analytes for real world complex sample analysis. The device is wireless, portable, battery-powered, and cell-phone operated, and it allows reliable detection in parts per billion (ppb) by volume-levels of BTEX in the presence of complex interferents. The hybrid device is suitable for occupational, environmental health, and epidemiological applications.

Investigation of QTF based gas sensors

“…Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are used in industrial and domestic applications, is another topic of interest since these compounds have serious environmental and human health impacts [6,7]. This impels the development of a new era of chemical sensor technologies [8][9][10]. Most of everyday real life applications require precise real time monitoring and control to facilitate increased productivity and stability.…”

Zebra GC: A fully integrated micro gas chromatography system

“…Table 1-1 Summary and comparison of µGC systemsprovides a detailed comparison of four µGC systems, including Zebra GC, and highlights the features, advantages and disadvantages of different system components. As seen, other reported µGC systems [19][20][21][22][23], while producing promising results, use individually fabricated chips which lead to extra care to avoid compound condensation in cold spots. Also, some of these systems still use conventional components to achieve high performance which can lead to increased energy consumptions or increased analysis time.…”

Multisensor Portable Meter for Environmental Applications

“…In general terms, these inconveniences are related to the technology of sensors used: the sensors have big sizes and are expensive. Therefore the miniaturization of the sensor is envisaged as an alternative [6,7] and specially microelectrodes fabricated with semiconductor technology which are robust, reproducible, have low output impedance, low fabrication and maintenance costs and they are ease to integrate with the electronic circuitry [8][9][10][11][12].…”