Abstract: Colorimetric sensors for the detection of contaminants are described herein. In some implementations, the contaminant is formaldehyde. In other implementations, the contaminant is an allergen. Systems and methods for measuring contaminant concentration are also described herein. The colorimetric sensors described herein can be included in or used by disclosed systems and methods. Additionally, the systems and methods described herein can measure the concentration of the contaminant in an indoor environment using the colorimetric sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for detection of H. Pylori in breath emissions utilizing an unlabelled urea, in which a patient ingests a safe quantity of unlabelled urea. After ingestion, expired breath of the patient is analyzed for ammonia, with a detection based on levels of ammonia lower than 50 parts per billion to 500 ppm to detect helicobacter pylori.

Abstract: Cellulose acetate or polyvinylpyrrolidone is electrospun into fibers having diameters of nanometer scale to form a first mat that is capable of absorbing hydrocarbons. A second mat may be formed from a solution of cellulose acetate or polyvinylpyrrolidone further containing tungsten trioxide. The solution is electrospun onto a copper mesh and then thermally oxidized to create a nanostructure comprising a grid or network of tungsten trioxide crystals and copper oxide crystals. The nanogrid is capable of photocatalyzing the degradation of hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. The grid may be combined with the first mat to degrade hydrocarbons that the first mat absorbs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gas sensors using doped ferroelectric materials. The sensors can be fabricated as an array where different portions of the array can operate at different independently controlled temperatures to detect different gas phase components of a gas sample. Preferred embodiments can be used for the diagnosis of conditions, such as, diabetes.

Abstract: Reliable, fast and inexpensive breath gas detector systems for medical diagnostics, including personal, handheld monitoring devices for a variety of diseases and conditions, including, for example, asthma, diabetes, blood cholesterol, and lung cancer. A sensor device (100) for detecting gases includes a sensing element (109) having an electrical resistance that changes in the presence of a target gas; a readout circuit, electrically coupled to the sensing element due to the presence of the target gas and converts the measurement to a digital signal; and a feedback loop (203) from a digital unit (205) to the readout circuit to compensate for variations in a baseline resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: Reliable, fast and inexpensive breath gas detector systems for medical diagnostics, including personal, handheld monitoring devices for a variety of diseases and conditions, including, for example, asthma, diabetes, blood cholesterol, and lung cancer. A sensor device (100) for detecting gases includes a sensing element (109) having an electrical resistance that changes in the presence of a target gas; a readout circuit, electrically coupled to the sensing element due to the presence of the target gas and converts the measurement to a digital signal; and a feedback loop (203) from a digital unit (205) to the readout circuit to compensate for variations in a baseline resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gas sensors using doped ferroelectric materials. The sensors can be fabricated as an array where different portions of the array can operate at different independently controlled temperatures to detect different gas phase components of a gas sample. Preferred embodiments can be used for the diagnosis of conditions, such as, diabetes.

Abstract: Single crystal MoO3 nanowires were produced using an electrospinning technique. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that the 1-D nanostructures are from 10-20 nm in diameter, on the order of 1-2 ?m in length, and have the orthorhombic MoO3 structure. The structure, crystallinity, and sensoric character of these electrostatically processed nanowires are discussed. It has been demonstrated that the non-woven-network of MoO3 nanowires exhibits higher sensitivity and an n-type response to NH3 as compared to the response of a sol-gel based sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for detection of H. Pylori in breath emissions utilizing an unlabelled urea, in which a patient ingests a safe quantity of unlabelled urea. After ingestion, expired breath of the patient is analyzed for ammonia, with a detection based on levels of ammonia lower than 50 parts per billion to 500 ppm to detect helicobacter pylori.

Abstract: Single crystal MoO3 nanowires were produced using an electrospinning technique. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that the 1-D nanostructures are from 10-20 nm in diameter, on the order of 1-2 ?m in length, and have the orthorhombic MoO3 structure. The structure, crystallinity, and sensoric character of these electrostatically processed nanowires are discussed. It has been demonstrated that the non-woven-network of MoO3 nanowires exhibits higher sensitivity and an n-type response to NH3 as compared to the response of a sol-gel based sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: Single crystal MoO3 nanowires were produced using an electrospinning technique. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that the 1-D nanostructures are from 10-20 nm in diameter, on the order of 1-2 ?m in length, and have the orthorhombic MoO3 structure. The structure, crystallinity, and sensoric character of these electrostatically processed nanowires are discussed. It has been demonstrated that the non-woven-network of MoO3 nanowires exhibits higher sensitivity and an n-type response to NH3 as compared to the response of a sol-gel based sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical diagnostic device for analyzing breath gases and/or skin emissions, including a highly sensitive sensing component for obtaining an emission concentration profile and a database of breath analysis profiles medical condition characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a Cellulose acetate (CA) thin, porous membranes produced by electrospinning precursor polymer solutions in acetone at room temperature and a process for manufacturing the same. The invention also provides a Cellulose acetate (CA) thin, porous membranes produced by electrospinning precursor polymer solutions in acetone at room temperature further comprising ceramic nano-structured component (carbon nanotubes) in the polymer membranes to provide additional strength and porosity and a process for manufacturing the same. The fabricated CA-CT membranes specifically mimic the topography and porosity of natural Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and can be used as scaffolding for cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides biosensing material comprising polyaniline (PANI)/poly-vinyl-pyrrolidine (PVP) nanocomposite fibers and polyaniline (PANI)/poly-vinyl-pyrrolidine (PVP) nanocomposite fibers and urease. The present invention also provides an electrospinning process for producing the biosensors of the present invention. If desired, the PANI/PVP/enzyme may be deposited on alumina substrates having gold interdigitated contacts, alumina substrates having heaters deposited thereon, and/or aluminum foil.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention provides biosensing material comprising polymer-enzyme nanocomposite fibers. A biosensor comprising such material may be obtained through an electrospinning process to yield a nonwoven mat, which retains enzyme activity. The large amount of available surface area obtained by the methods of the present invention provides unusually high sensitivity and fast response time in sensing applications. Also provided is a biosensing material for monitoring the concentration of an analyte present in a sample, such as urea. The biosensing material contains nanocomposite fibers of an enzyme, such as urease and at least one polymer produced through an electrospinning process. If desired, the enzyme may be encapsulated inside metal oxide semiconductor thin films. A method for preparing the biosensing material through an electrospinning technique is also provided.

Abstract: Sensors are provided which are selective for a specific gas. The sensors include a substrate, electrodes, and a thin film metal oxide. Methods for choosing the metal oxide to be utilized in the sensor with selectivity for the specific gas are also provided, as are methods for determining the presence of a specific gas in a gaseous mixture.