Abstract: A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a voltage source, a sensor electrode, a grounded assembly, an integration capacitor, and a current meter. The sensor electrode is coupled to the voltage source to receive a voltage. The sensor electrode is disposed within a directed and controlled exhaust flow to facilitate particle agglomeration into particulate matter structures at a surface of the sensor electrode. The grounded assembly is coupled to a ground reference and disposed at a distance from the sensor electrode. The integration capacitor is coupled to a negative side of the voltage source to integrate in time current pulses from charge transfers from the sensor electrode of the particulate matter structures. The current meter is coupled to the voltage source to measure an integrated value of current supplied to the voltage source in response to charge transfers from the sensor electrode to the particulate matter structures in the exhaust flow.

Abstract: A sensor includes a housing, a central sensor electrode assembly, an insulating member, and a trace. The central sensor electrode assembly is coupled to a supply side of a voltage source. The insulating member is coupled between the housing and the central sensor electrode assembly. The insulating member circumscribes a section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace is coupled to the insulating member and circumscribes the section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace directs at least a portion of leakage current away from a voltage ground offset on an opposite side of the central sensor electrode assembly.

Abstract: A sensor assembly to measure particulate matter is described. The sensor assembly includes a voltage source, a sensor electrode, a grounded assembly, an integration capacitor, and a current meter. The sensor electrode is coupled to the voltage source to receive a voltage. The sensor electrode is disposed within a directed and controlled exhaust flow within the sensor assembly to facilitate particle agglomeration into particulate matter structures at a surface of the sensor electrode. The grounded assembly is coupled to a ground reference and disposed at a distance from the sensor electrode. The integration capacitor is coupled to a negative side of the voltage source. The integration capacitor is configured to integrate in time current pulses from charge transfers from the sensor electrode of the particulate matter structures.

Abstract: A ceramic particulate matter sensor to measure particulate matter within an exhaust stream. The particulate matter sensor includes a high voltage electrode on a first conductive layer and a detection electrode on a second conductive layer within a stack of ceramic layers. The stack of ceramic layers is bonded as a single rigid structure. The detection electrode generates a measurement of particulate matter within an exhaust stream. The particulate matter sensor also includes an insulating material positioned adjacent to the second conductive layer to insulate the detection electrode from another conductive layer within the stack of ceramic layers. The particulate matter sensor also includes an electrical heater to burn off an accumulation of contaminating particulate matter from at least one electrode of the high voltage and detection electrodes. The particulate matter sensor also includes means for substantially preventing electrical leakage through the insulating material to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus to burn off contaminating particulate matter from a sensor. The sensor apparatus includes a signal electrode assembly, a detector electrode assembly, and an electrical heater. The signal electrode assembly includes a signal electrode coupled to a signal electrode insulating substrate. The detector electrode assembly includes a detector electrode coupled to a detector electrode insulating substrate. The detector electrode is positioned relative to the sensor electrode to generate a measurement of an ambient condition. The electrical heater is positioned relative to the signal and detector electrode assemblies to burn off an accumulation of contaminating particles from at least one electrode assembly of the signal and detector electrode assemblies.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a means for improving heat removal from the inside of an electrochemical device to the outer surface so as to reduce thermal stresses in the device, thereby allowing for increased oxygen production. A means for conducting heat toward the outer edge is provided. The means for conducting heat comprises at least one of silver, gold, platinum, rhodium, and palladium.