Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor and methods of monitoring the same. The gas sensor may detect gas restrictions within the gas sensor. The gas sensor may include a test gas diffusion path allowing for monitoring of restrictions within the gas sensor. A pulse of test gas may be electrochemically generated into a void disposed between the membrane and capillary of the gas sensor. The resulting transient signal on the sensing electrode may be analyzed to determine the degree of restriction present in the gas sensor.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to an electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a sensor cap having one or more solid features disposed on a surface of the sensor cap. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a counter electrode configured to generate a gas during use of the electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a vent assembly adapted to release at least a portion of the gas generated at the counter electrode out from the electrochemical gas sensor. The vent assembly can include a vent conduit and a vent membrane that defines a passage for the gas to flow from an extended portion of the counter electrode, to the vent conduit, via the vent membrane, so as to be vented from the electrochemical gas sensor.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for monitoring gas concentration and a method of the same are provided. The sensor assembly includes a start-up sensor and a long-run sensor. The start-up sensor is characterized by a first power-on period and the long-run sensor is characterized by a second power-on period that is longer than the first power-on period. The sensor assembly also includes a controller in communication with the start-up sensor and the long-run sensor. The controller is configured to cause the start-up sensor and the long-run sensor to power on. The controller is further configured to power off the start-up sensor and monitor the gas concentration via the long-run sensor upon the expiration of the second power-on period. A corresponding method of monitoring gas concentration is also provided.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to an electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a sensor cap having one or more solid features disposed on a surface of the sensor cap. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a counter electrode configured to generate a gas during use of the electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a vent assembly adapted to release at least a portion of the gas generated at the counter electrode out from the electrochemical gas sensor. The vent assembly can include a vent conduit and a vent membrane that defines a passage for the gas to flow from an extended portion of the counter electrode, to the vent conduit, via the vent membrane, so as to be vented from the electrochemical gas sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose an electronic circuit for an electrochemical gas sensor. The electronic circuit comprises a first switching element electrically coupled to a reference terminal of the electrochemical gas sensor and a ground voltage terminal. Further, the electronic circuit comprises a second switching element electrically coupled to a sensing terminal of the electrochemical gas sensor and the ground voltage terminal. In an instance in which the electrochemical gas sensor is powered OFF, the first switching element and the second switching element are configured to electrically couple the reference terminal and the sensing terminal to the ground voltage terminal such that current generated when the sensing electrode and the target gas react while the electrochemical gas sensor is powered OFF flows to the ground voltage terminal and the potential of the reference terminal and the sensing terminal remain the equal.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for measuring electrolyte content in an electrochemical gas sensor. An example system may comprise a separator material, a first electrode configured to be disposed on a first separator material surface, and a second electrode configured to be disposed on a second separator material surface. The example system may further comprise a wick material comprising a first wick material surface and a second wick material surface opposite the first wick material surface, a third electrode configured to be disposed facing the first wick material surface, and a fourth electrode configured to be disposed on the second wick material surface. The fourth electrode may be configured to measure an electrical conductivity through the wick material.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a compact gas sensor (CGS) including a housing with a central stepped cavity with one or more first lead contact(s) forming a portion of a base plane in a bottom of the cavity and one or more second lead contact(s) forming a portion of a stepped plane higher than the base plane, the cavity sized to receive a chemically based stack of material made up of a bottom diffusion electrode layer, a middle electrolyte gel layer, and a top diffusion electrode layer. The bottom diffusion electrode layer is in electrical contact with the first lead contact(s). The top diffusion electrode layer electrically couples to the second lead contact(s) via an overlaying micro electromechanical system (MEMS) element layer with conductive coating. In an illustrative example, the CGS may provide gas sensing in small spaces.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for identifying the concentration of an electrolyte. A method may comprise scanning a diagnostic micro-electrode of an electrochemical sensor using scanning voltammetry at a plurality of electrolyte concentrations; generating a variable set of readings from the first scanning voltammetry scan using a potential difference between a strong hydrogen adsorption peak and an oxide reduction peak and/or oxide formation peak at each of the plurality of electrolyte concentrations; and determining a correlation by plotting the variable set of readings and the plurality of electrolyte concentrations.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for depositing an electrode and an electrolyte on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) electrochemical sensor. A method may comprise providing a blade on a surface of a substrate; providing a ridge along the perimeter of the substrate; pressing the electrode and the electrolyte onto the blade and the ridge; cutting the electrode into multiple electrodes; positioning the electrolyte to contact the surface, the blade, and the ridge; and positioning the multiple electrodes to contact the surface, the blade, and the ridge.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for monitoring gas concentration and a method of the same are provided. The sensor assembly includes a start-up sensor and a long-run sensor. The start-up sensor is characterized by a first power-on period and the long-run sensor is characterized by a second power-on period that is longer than the first power-on period. The sensor assembly also includes a controller in communication with the start-up sensor and the long-run sensor. The controller is configured to cause the start-up sensor and the long-run sensor to power on. The controller is further configured to power off the start-up sensor and monitor the gas concentration via the long-run sensor upon the expiration of the second power-on period. A corresponding method of monitoring gas concentration is also provided.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes know types of electrodes such has sensing electrodes, counter electrodes or reference electrodes to sense the presence of a predetermined gas. In addition, at least one diagnostic electrode is carried in the sensor. The diagnostic electrode implements at least one diagnostic function without substantially impairing the gas sensing function. The diagnostic electrode is immersed in sensor electrolyte.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the concentration of a second target gas while in the presence of a first target gas. A method may comprise operating a first sensor (202, 302) under a first operating condition, wherein the first sensor (202, 302) is part of a sensor assembly (200); operating a second sensor (204, 304) under a second operating condition, wherein the second sensor (204, 304) is part of the sensor assembly (200), and wherein the second operating condition is different from the first operating condition; detecting at least one target gas by the first sensor (202, 302); detecting at least one target gas by the second sensor (204, 304); processing a signal output from the first sensor (202, 302) with a signal output from the second sensor (204, 304); and determining a concentration of at least one of the first target gas and second target gas based on the processed output signals.

Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor and methods of monitoring the same. The gas sensor may detect gas restrictions within the gas sensor. The gas sensor may include a test gas diffusion path allowing for monitoring of restrictions within the gas sensor. A pulse of test gas may be electrochemically generated into a void disposed between the membrane and capillary of the gas sensor. The resulting transient signal on the sensing electrode may be analyzed to determine the degree of restriction present in the gas sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based gas sensor including an electrolyte contacting one or more top electrode(s) arranged on the bottom surface of a top semiconductor substrate (TSS), and one or more bottom electrode(s) arranged on the top of a bottom semiconductor substrate (BSS), the TSS and BSS joined with an adhesive seal around the electrolyte, the sensor including one or more capillaries providing gaseous communication to the electrolyte from an external ambient environment. The electrodes may be electrically accessed by one or more vias to externally accessible bond pads. In some examples, an electrical connection may be made from an additional bond pad on top of the TSS to the electrolyte. Various embodiments may reduce the size of various gas sensors to advantageously allow their inclusion into portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for monitoring gas concentration and a method of the same are provided. The sensor assembly includes a start-up sensor and a long-run sensor. The start-up sensor is characterized by a first power-on period and the long-run sensor is characterized by a second power-on period that is longer than the first power-on period. The sensor assembly also includes a controller in communication with the start-up sensor and the long-run sensor. The controller is configured to cause the start-up sensor and the long-run sensor to power on. The controller is further configured to power off the start-up sensor and monitor the gas concentration via the long-run sensor upon the expiration of the second power-on period. A corresponding method of monitoring gas concentration is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor and methods of monitoring the same. The gas sensor may detect gas restrictions within the gas sensor. The gas sensor may include a test gas diffusion path allowing for monitoring of restrictions within the gas sensor. A pulse of test gas may be electrochemically generated into a void disposed between the membrane and capillary of the gas sensor. The resulting transient signal on the sensing electrode may be analyzed to determine the degree of restriction present in the gas sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to determine the composition of one or more gases. In the context of a method, a sensory assembly and at least one processor, the sensor assembly comprising a first gas sensor and a second gas sensor, includes causing the first sensor to be powered to detect a presence of one or more gas while the second sensor is unpowered. The method further includes detecting the presence of one or more gases while the second sensor is unpowered. In response to detecting the presence of the one or more gases, the method includes causing the second sensor to be powered. The method still further includes capturing sensor data corresponding to at least one of the one or more gases. The method also includes identifying the at least one of the one or more gases based on an analysis of the sensor data.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for measuring electrolyte content in an electrochemical gas sensor. An example system may comprise a separator material, a first electrode configured to be disposed on a first separator material surface, and a second electrode configured to be disposed on a second separator material surface. The example system may further comprise a wick material comprising a first wick material surface and a second wick material surface opposite the first wick material surface, a third electrode configured to be disposed facing the first wick material surface, and a fourth electrode configured to be disposed on the second wick material surface. The fourth electrode may be configured to measure an electrical conductivity through the wick material.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to an electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a sensor cap having one or more solid features disposed on a surface of the sensor cap. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a counter electrode configured to generate a gas during use of the electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor can include a vent assembly adapted to release at least a portion of the gas generated at the counter electrode out from the electrochemical gas sensor. The vent assembly can include a vent conduit and a vent membrane that defines a passage for the gas to flow from an extended portion of the counter electrode, to the vent conduit, via the vent membrane, so as to be vented from the electrochemical gas sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose an electronic circuit for an electrochemical gas sensor. The electronic circuit comprises a first switching element electrically coupled to a reference terminal of the electrochemical gas sensor and a ground voltage terminal. Further, the electronic circuit comprises a second switching element electrically coupled to a sensing terminal of the electrochemical gas sensor and the ground voltage terminal. In an instance in which the electrochemical gas sensor is powered OFF, the first switching element and the second switching element are configured to electrically couple the reference terminal and the sensing terminal to the ground voltage terminal such that current generated when the sensing electrode and the target gas react while the electrochemical gas sensor is powered OFF flows to the ground voltage terminal and the potential of the reference terminal and the sensing terminal remain the equal.