Abstract: A sensor element of a gas sensor includes a solid electrolyte body, a first insulator, a gas chamber, a second insulator, a reference gas duct, a pump electrode, a sensor electrode, a reference electrode, and a shield layer. The shield layer is formed of an insulating ceramic material and covers a sensor-side electrode portion of the reference electrode, the sensor-side electrode portion being arranged to overlap the sensor electrode through the solid electrolyte body.

Abstract: A gas sensor element having good sensitivity and responsiveness at low temperature, and a gas sensor are provided. The gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte member made of an oxygen ion conductive ZrO2-based ceramic, and a reference gas-side electrode and a measuring gas-side electrode respectively provided on a surface and the other surface of the solid electrolyte member. The gas sensor includes the gas sensor element. The reference gas-side electrode and the measuring gas-side electrode are formed so as to face each other with the solid electrolyte member interposed therebetween, and are both made of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. A mixed layer with an average thickness of 800 nm or less is formed between the solid electrolyte member and the reference gas-side electrode. The mixed layer contains a noble metal or a noble metal alloy and a ZrO2-based ceramic mixed with each other.

Abstract: A control unit (6) estimates an output value of a PM sensor (S2) located at a downstream side of a DPF used as a reference filter, and detects whether the estimated output value exceeds a predetermined value (S3). When the estimated output value exceeds the predetermined value (YES in S3), the control unit detects an output value of the PM sensor (S4), and a heater heats the PM sensor (S5). The control unit detects an output value of the PM sensor (S6) after the PM sensor is heated, and calculates a change ratio of the output values of the PM sensor before and after heating (S7). The control unit estimates an average particle size of PM based on the calculated change ratio (S8), and detects whether the DPF has failed based on a comparison result of a corrected output value of the PM sensor with a threshold value.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection sensor includes a conductive part, and the pair of electrodes that are arranged at specified spacing so as to face each other. The conductive part is formed into a plate shape using a conductive material having electrical resistivity that is higher than particulate matter. One major surface of the conductive part functions as an accumulation surface on which particulate matter accumulates. The pair of electrodes are formed on this accumulation surface.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection element 1 includes paired detection electrodes 12 for detecting particulate matter contained in exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, and insulating member 13 made of electrically insulating material. In the particulate matter detection element 1, at least part of the paired detection electrodes 12 is exposed from the insulating member 13 in the direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the paired detection electrodes 1, to cause part of the particulate matter to deposit thereon. The surface roughness of at least the insulating member disposed between the paired detection electrodes is between 0.8 ?m and 8.0 ?m in 10-point average roughness.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor detecting particulate matter in exhaust emissions is provided, which is resistant to having sensor surfaces buried by particulate matter residue. Detection electrodes are provided, with alternating polarity, laminated in a laminating direction, separated by insulation. Of the detection electrodes, first detection electrodes of one polarity and second detection electrodes of the other polarity are exposed perpendicular to the laminating direction. In the direction perpendicular to the laminating direction, the particulate matter sensor has target accumulating parts on which the particulate matter is accumulated. In the target accumulating parts, the thickness W1 of the first detection electrodes in the laminating direction is greater than the thickness W2 of the second detection electrodes in the laminating direction.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection sensor has an element part for detecting an amount of PM contained in exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine. A deposition part and at least a pair of detection electrodes are formed on an end surface of the element part. Some of particles of PM is deposited on the deposition part. The pair of detection electrodes are arranged on the deposition part. The particulate matter detection sensor changes its output electrical signal according to variation of electrical properties between the pair of the detection electrodes due to deposition of PM on the deposition part. A concave collection part is formed on the deposition part. The concave collection part has a concaved shape when viewed from the edge surface of the element part.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection sensor has an element part for detecting an amount of PM contained in exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine. A deposition part and at least a pair of detection electrodes are formed on an end surface of the element part. Some of particles of PM is deposited on the deposition part. The pair of detection electrodes are arranged on the deposition part. The particulate matter detection sensor changes its output electrical signal according to variation of electrical properties between the pair of the detection electrodes due to deposition of PM on the deposition part. A concave collection part is formed on the deposition part. The concave collection part has a concaved shape when viewed from the edge surface of the element part.

Abstract: A gas sensor element having good sensitivity and responsiveness at low temperature, and a gas sensor are provided. The gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte member made of an oxygen ion conductive ZrO2-based ceramic, and a reference gas-side electrode and a measuring gas-side electrode respectively provided on a surface and the other surface of the solid electrolyte member. The gas sensor includes the gas sensor element. The reference gas-side electrode and the measuring gas-side electrode are formed so as to face each other with the solid electrolyte member interposed therebetween, and are both made of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. A mixed layer with an average thickness of 800 nm or less is formed between the solid electrolyte member and the reference gas-side electrode. The mixed layer contains a noble metal or a noble metal alloy and a ZrO2-based ceramic mixed with each other.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection sensor includes a conductive part, and the pair of electrodes that are arranged at specified spacing so as to face each other. The conductive part is formed into a plate shape using a conductive material having electrical resistivity that is higher than particulate matter. One major surface of the conductive part functions as an accumulation surface on which particulate matter accumulates. The pair of electrodes are formed on this accumulation surface.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor detecting particulate matter in exhaust emissions is provided, which is resistant to having sensor surfaces buried by particulate matter residue. Detection electrodes are provided, with alternating polarity, laminated in a laminating direction, separated by insulation. Of the detection electrodes, first detection electrodes of one polarity and second detection electrodes of the other polarity are exposed perpendicular to the laminating direction. In the direction perpendicular to the laminating direction, the particulate matter sensor has target accumulating parts on which the particulate matter is accumulated. In the target accumulating parts, the thickness W1 of the first detection electrodes in the laminating direction is greater than the thickness W2 of the second detection electrodes in the laminating direction.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection element 1 includes paired detection electrodes 12 for detecting particulate matter contained in exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, and insulating member 13 made of electrically insulating material. In the particulate matter detection element 1, at least part of the paired detection electrodes 12 is exposed from the insulating member 13 in the direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the paired detection electrodes 1, to cause part of the particulate matter to deposit thereon. The surface roughness of at least the insulating member disposed between the paired detection electrodes is between 0.8 ?m and 8.0 ?m in 10-point average roughness.

Abstract: A control unit (6) estimates an output value of a PM sensor (S2) located at a downstream side of a DPF used as a reference filter, and detects whether the estimated output value exceeds a predetermined value (S3). When the estimated output value exceeds the predetermined value (YES in S3), the control unit detects an output value of the PM sensor (S4), and a heater heats the PM sensor (S5). The control unit detects an output value of the PM sensor (S6) after the PM sensor is heated, and calculates a change ratio of the output values of the PM sensor before and after heating (S7). The control unit estimates an average particle size of PM based on the calculated change ratio (S8), and detects whether the DPF has failed based on a comparison result of a corrected output value of the PM sensor with a threshold value.

Abstract: A carbon-based combustion catalyst is obtained by calcining sodalite at a temperature of 600° C. or more. Alternatively, a carbon-based combustion catalyst is obtained by performing the following mixing step, drying step, and calcination step. In the mixing step, aluminosilicate (sodalite), and an alkali metal source, and/or an alkaline earth metal source are mixed in water to obtain a liquid mixture. In the drying step, the liquid mixture is heated to evaporate the water, thereby obtaining a solid. In the calcination step, the solid is calcined at a temperature of 600° C. or more so that a part or all of the sodalite structure is changed. The thus-obtained catalyst can cause carbon-based material to be stably burned and removed at a low temperature for a long time.