Abstract: A method for detecting fluids having a certain material composition is disclosed. The method comprises at least the following steps: ionizing the fluid using at least one high-voltage electrode coupled to a high-voltage source, such that the high voltage electrode generates charge carriers and emits these charge carriers which are at least partially re-collected by measurement electrodes; measuring electrical quantities at the plurality of measurement electrodes being spaced apart from each other as well as from the high voltage electrode; determining the spatial distribution of the measured electrical quantities; comparing the spatial distribution of the measured electrical quantities with at least one reference distribution; providing an output signal responsive to the comparison and indicating the presence of a fluid component and/or the concentration of the fluid component in the fluid.