Abstract: A microhotplate comprising a membrane suspended over a substrate by a plurality of tethers connected between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane comprises a resistive heater comprising an electrically conductive material having a varying width from a peripheral portion of the membrane to a center of the membrane. The electrically conductive material comprises a first portion spiraling in a first direction and a second portion spiraling in a second direction and in electrical communication with the first portion at the center of the membrane. The microhotplate further comprises a first electrically conductive trace extending over a first tether and in electrical contact with a bond pad on the substrate and the first portion and a second electrically conductive trace extending over another tether and in electrical contact with another bond pad on the substrate and the second portion. Related chemical sensors and related methods of detecting at least one analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microhotplate comprising a membrane suspended over a substrate by a plurality of tethers connected between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane comprises a resistive heater comprising an electrically conductive material having a varying width from a peripheral portion of the membrane to a center of the membrane. The electrically conductive material comprises a first portion spiraling in a first direction and a second portion spiraling in a second direction and in electrical communication with the first portion at the center of the membrane. The microhotplate further comprises a first electrically conductive trace extending over a first tether and in electrical contact with a bond pad on the substrate and the first portion and a second electrically conductive trace extending over another tether and in electrical contact with another bond pad on the substrate and the second portion. Related chemical sensors and related methods of detecting at least one analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10-year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.

Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10-year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.

Abstract: Analysis instruments and sensors, particularly micro-electro mechanical sensor (MEMS) devices, for molecular analysis of chemicals and other materials, including, for example, polymers, drugs, nanomaterials, biological samples including proteins, and environmental samples including water suspected of contamination, and the like in vapor, liquid, and/or solid form.

Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10 year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.

Abstract: Analysis instruments and sensors, particularly micro-electro mechanical sensor (MEMS) devices, for molecular analysis of chemicals and other materials, including, for example, polymers, drugs, nanomaterials, biological samples including proteins, and environmental samples including water suspected of contamination, and the like in vapor, liquid, and/or solid form.