With Conductiometric Detector Patents (Class 422/90)
  • Patent number: 11965866
    Abstract: A sensor node includes a sensor node printed circuit board, a sensor module, and a communication module. The sensor node printed circuit board manages power of the sensor node circuitry, the sensor module and the communication module such that power is provided from a primary power supply supplemented by a secondary power supply. The sensor module includes a plurality of air quality sensors to measure the concentration of air pollutants. The sensor module may be replaceable. The communication module may communicate air quality measurements to and receive configurations from a data management platform, which may perform processes to improve the accuracy of the air quality measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Clarity Movement Co.
    Inventors: Paolo Micalizzi, Baljot Singh, Deepak Talwar, Dengjun Lu
  • Patent number: 11852580
    Abstract: A sensor for photoacoustic spectroscopy including a support and a mechanical resonator fastened to the support, including at least one sensor element designed to be vibrated by an acoustic wave, and at least one first capacitive electrode mechanically coupled to the sensor element so as to be moved by the sensor element when it is vibrated; and at least one second capacitive electrode forming with the at least one first electrode, a capacitive sensor; the support facing the sensor element, an apertured part formed by one or more through-openings. Also provided is a detection and/or measurement device and method, for photoacoustic spectroscopy, using such a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Aurore Vicet, Kaim Chamassi, Michaƫl Bahriz
  • Patent number: 11852625
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of collecting, processing, and analyzing breath exhaled from a subject. Specifically, described herein are systems and methods for minimizing the amount of breath needed for analysis. Further disclosed herein are systems and methods to analyze compounds contained in a subject's breath that are indicative of certain ailments and/or present in a low concentration in the subject's breath. The systems can include a reaction chamber, a breath inlet, a reactant inlet, a fluid atomizer, and a receiving substrate for analyzing the process subject's breath. The methods can include reacting a subject's breath with a reactant to analyze the contents of the subject's breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Krasnow, Eric Peeters
  • Patent number: 11549901
    Abstract: A sensor component and a mobile communication device including a sensor component are disclosed. In an embodiment a sensor component includes a subcomponent configured to sense a gas level including a resistive heater and a gas sensitive element disposed on the resistive heater; a package enclosing a cavity and accommodating the subcomponent, the package including a first opening in a position facing the gas sensitive element of the subcomponent and a second opening configured to allow a flow of gas to enter the package through the first opening and exit the package through the second opening; and an evaluation circuit configured to generate an output signal indicative of a speed of the flow of gas in response to electrical power to be supplied to the resistive heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andreas Barbul, Matthias Koenig
  • Patent number: 11460422
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for on-site monitoring of the quality of the gases delivered to a consumer site, the monitoring being carried out during the delivery, in order to declare the delivery compliant or non-compliant with specifications, being characterized in that, during the delivery, a monitoring of the gas(es) delivered is carried out by the thermal conductivity technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude, CARBAGAS
    Inventor: Heinz Peyer
  • Patent number: 11378562
    Abstract: A self-timing, passive, chemical dosimeter. The dosimeter includes a sampling media and electronics supported by a cassette. The sampling media is configured to absorb volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, or both, while the electronics are configured to record a time of exposure. The dosimeter further includes an actuator having a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the actuator resists exposure of the sampling media to volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, or both, and in the open position, the actuator permits exposure of the sampling media to volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, or both. The actuator is configured to operate the electronics for recording time of exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: H Mitchell Rubeinstein, Christin M Duran, Daniel O Reilly, Steven D Fisher, Anthony V Qualley
  • Patent number: 10753897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heated sensitive layer sensor comprising an insulating substrate bearing the sensitive layer; two complementary measurement electrodes in the form of two adjacent conductive tracks configured in electrical contact with the sensitive layer; and a heating element in the form of a resistive track arranged on the substrate for uniformly heating an active area of the sensitive layer. The resistive track comprises at least three power supply points regularly spaced over the length of the resistive track, and each point of even rank is supplied at a first supply voltage and each point of odd rank is supplied at a second supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE D'AIX-MARSEILLE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Khalifa Aguir, Marc Bendahan, Virginie Marie Laithier Martini
  • Patent number: 10376830
    Abstract: A gas analysis system includes a gas analyzer which analyzes a gas acquired from a living body and a liquid separator which is detachably attached to the gas analyzer, and which separates a liquid component from the gas. In the gas analysis system, the liquid separator includes a magnet, and the gas analyzer includes a magnetic sensor which detects magnetism generated by the magnet, and a determining section which, based on the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor, determines that the liquid separator is attached to the gas analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Yasumura, Katsumi Nakaichi, Shinya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10156535
    Abstract: A sensor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sensor device includes a substrate, a plurality of sensing electrodes, a humidity nanowire sensor, a temperature nanowire sensor, and a gas nanowire sensor. The sensing electrodes are formed on the substrate, and the humidity, the temperature and the gas nanowire sensors are also on the substrate. The humidity nanowire sensor includes an exposed first nanowire sensing region, the temperature nanowire sensor includes a second nanowire sensing region, and the gas nanowire sensor includes a third nanowire sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Sih-Han Li, Chih-Sheng Lin, Kuan-Wei Chen, Erh-Hao Chen, Shyh-Shyuan Sheu
  • Patent number: 10073014
    Abstract: To provide an exhaust gas sampling mechanism which can prevent condensed water droplets in exhaust gas from being sampled by a sampling probe and advantageously sample only the gas components of the exhaust gas to be measured, thereby maintaining a high response speed in analyzing the exhaust gas, the exhaust gas sampling mechanism includes the sampling probe disposed in a flow path through which the exhaust gas flows, for sampling the exhaust gas; and a gas-permeable cover which covers at least an upstream portion or a lateral surface portion of the sampling probe in the flow path, and has a water droplet removing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Horiba Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Fukami, Yoshihisa Onda, Kazuo Hanada
  • Patent number: 10015841
    Abstract: A micro heater and a micro sensor is capable of providing a heater having a small thermal capacity by forming an air gap which surrounds the heater wire, and forming the heater wire on a porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Point Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bum Mo Ahn, Seung Ho Park, Sung Hyun Byun
  • Patent number: 9772319
    Abstract: A chemical sensor (10) is described with at least one layer of a metal oxide (11) arranged between two current injecting electrodes (16,16?) with the length (L) of the layer of a metal oxide between the current injecting electrodes being less than 50 microns and one or a pair of voltage sensing electrodes (17) connected to the layer of a metal oxide (11) with the electrodes (16,16?,17) forming a 3- or 4-terminal arrangement for determining the resistance changes of layer material (11) excluding series resistances such as contact resistances close to or at at least one of the current injecting electrodes (16) from the resistance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Lukas Burgi, Marc Von Waldkirch, Felix Mayer
  • Patent number: 9732660
    Abstract: An integrated sensor-catalyst is disclosed for an after-treatment (AT) system used to filter an exhaust gas flow emitted by an internal combustion engine. The integrated sensor-catalyst includes a sensor element configured to detect a parameter of the exhaust gas flow. The integrated sensor-catalyst also includes a micro-catalyst element configured to filter a pollutant from the exhaust gas flow. Additionally, the integrated sensor-catalyst includes a housing configured to hold the sensor element and the micro-catalyst element and fix the micro-catalyst element relative to the sensor element such that the micro-catalyst element is arranged and maintained in the exhaust gas flow upstream of the sensor element. A vehicle including such an AT system with the integrated sensor-catalyst is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Luciano Nunziato Di Perna, Jianwen Li, Charles E. Dean, Rahul Mital, David B. Brown
  • Patent number: 9164071
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring or assessing the homeostatic relationship between gases in the body, environment or water. The measured or assessed level of gases in the body, environment or air uses the interrelationships of the various components in order to establish guidelines for treating individuals, the environment or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: William J. McFaul
  • Patent number: 9041419
    Abstract: Examples of the present invention include apparatus and methods for monitoring aging of an item. A solid-state structure is located within, adjacent to, or otherwise proximate the item, the solid-state structure including nanostructures. The electrical resistance and/or magnetization of the solid-state structure is determined to determine the degree of aging of the item. In representative examples, the solid-state structure includes nanostructures of a metal, such as a ferromagnetic metal, within a non-magnetic matrix, such as a semimetal, semiconductor, or insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    Inventor: Gregory G. Kenning
  • Publication number: 20150132857
    Abstract: A device for detecting airborne contaminants includes a protonated, electrically conductive sensing material with affinity for binding with, and capable of being deprotonated by, the airborne contaminant. Electronics measure a property of the sensing material that is sensitive to deprotonation and generates signals indicative of the airborne contaminant. A method for detecting airborne contaminants includes: determining a property change of the protonated, electrically conductive material; and determining presence of the airborne contaminant based on the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph J. Belbruno, Susanne E. Tanski
  • Publication number: 20150118111
    Abstract: A semiconductor sensor device includes a substrate, a non-suitable seed layer located above the substrate, at least one electrode located above the non-suitable seed layer, and a porous sensing layer supported directly by the non-suitable seed layer and in electrical communication with the at least one electrode, the porous sensing layer defining a plurality of grain boundaries formed by spaced-apart nucleation on the non-suitable seed layer using atomic layer deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ashwin K. Samarao, Gary O'Brien, Ando Feyh, Fabian Purkl, Gary Yama
  • Publication number: 20150071821
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed toward a novel hybrid spintronic device for converting chemical absorption into a change in magnetoresistance. This device uses a novel magnetic material which depends on the attachment of an organic structure to a metallic film for its magnetism. Changes in the chemical environment lead to absorption on the surface of this organometallic bilayer and thus modify its magnetic properties. The change in magnetic properties, in turn, leads to a change in the resistance of a magnetoresistive structure or a spin transistor structure, allowing a standard electrical detection of the chemical change in the sensor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, Samir Y. Garzon
  • Publication number: 20150037900
    Abstract: A device, method, and test kit for rapidly detecting cyanide in a sample. The inventive device comprises a container comprising a sample chamber and a sensor chamber separated by a selectively permeable barrier. The sample chamber contains a reagent for releasing cyanide from the sample, and the sensor chamber contains a cyanide detector comprising a conductive polymer which absorbs the released cyanide, generating a change in signal. Signals can be viewed colorimetrically or transmitted to a LCD/LED panel wherein the cyanide measurement readout is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Rella
  • Patent number: 8932871
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a first ozone sensor that generates a first sensor signal indicating a first amount of ozone in air flowing into a radiator. A second ozone sensor generates a second sensor signal indicating a second amount of ozone in air flowing out of the radiator. A control module receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and determines an ozone conversion rate based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, Chang H. Kim, Brian T. Heil
  • Patent number: 8821797
    Abstract: A hydrogen detection system can include an exposed detection element made of a catalytic metal which burns hydrogen so as to generate combustion heat. A hydrogen sensor can detect a hydrogen concentration based on a detected value of the detection element. A heating unit can heat the detection element. A hydrogen storage unit is included, and a hydrogen guiding pipe can guide the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit to the detection element. A flow rate adjusting device is attached to the hydrogen guiding pipe, and adjusts a flow rate of the hydrogen. A first dilution unit can dilute the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit with a dilution gas, and a controller can control the heating unit and the flow rate adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Tsukabayashi, Hidetoshi Oishi, Kazuhiro Okajima
  • Publication number: 20140170762
    Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement (100) is disclosed comprising a substrate (210); and a gas such as a CO2 sensor comprising spatially separated electrodes including at least an excitation electrode (132) and a sensing electrode (142); a volume (120) in contact with said pair of electrodes, said volume including a chemical compound for forming a reaction product with said gas in an acid-base reaction; a signal generator (212) conductively coupled to the excitation electrode and adapted to provide the excitation electrode with a microwave signal; and a signal detector (214) conductively coupled to the sensing electrode and adapted to detect a change in said microwave signal caused by a permittivity change in said volume, said permittivity change being caused by said reaction product. A device comprising such an IC arrangement and a method of sensing the presence of a gas using such an IC arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Dimitri Soccol, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, David van Steenwinckel
  • Patent number: 8739604
    Abstract: A gas sensor is disclosed. The gas sensor includes a gas sensing layer, at least one electrode, an adhesion layer, and a response modification layer adjacent to said gas sensing layer and said layer of adhesion. A system having an exhaust system and a gas sensor is also disclosed. A method of fabricating the gas sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Amphenol Thermometrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalaga Murali Krishna, Geetha Karavoor, John Patrick Lemmon, Jun Cui, Vinayak Tilak, Mohandas Nayak, Ravikumar Hanumantha
  • Patent number: 8734723
    Abstract: A gas sensor cell using a liquid crystal composite material is provided. The gas sensor cell has recovery capability and can be reused. Upon gas adsorption, the liquid crystal composite material has visually detectable color changes and changes in electrical properties to facilitate the measurement of gas concentration from low to high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Kai Chang, Hui-Lung Kuo
  • Patent number: 8722417
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sensing an analyte in a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Invoy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lubna Ahmad
  • Patent number: 8721970
    Abstract: A portable, relatively low power gas detector incorporates a single pellistor-type sensor for sensing an explosive gas of interest. Outputs from the sensor are corrected in accordance with ambient temperature and humidity and pre-stored correction factors based on characteristics exhibited by a plurality of similar sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Life Safety Distribution AG
    Inventors: Martin Willett, Martin Jones
  • Publication number: 20140105790
    Abstract: A multi-storey gas sensor is constructed by stacking chemoresistor type gas sensing elements and providing holes through each sensing element so gas can pass from one sensing element to the next, through the sensing layers. A rich data set can be obtained by selecting appropriate combinations of materials for the different sensing layers and varying the operating conditions of the different gas-sensing elements by: taking measurements when different combinations of sensing layers are activated, when given sensing layers are heated to different temperatures or according to different heating profiles, and/or when selected sensing layers are exposed to UV light. Sensor sensitivity and selectivity can be increased by applying UV pulses of controlled duration, and target gas species can be detected based on the transient response of the sensing layer at onset of UV irradiation. Each sensing element may have a micro-hotplate architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Alain Gaudon, Chang Hyun Shim, Philippe Menini, Francois Loubet
  • Publication number: 20140080221
    Abstract: An instrument to provide on-site analyses utilizing a combination cryotrap and absorbent traps in the extraction of constituents from the sample gas stream consistent with the requirements of 40 CFR Pt. 60 App. A Method 25. The air sample is passed through a cryotrap system which is maintained at the temperature of dry ice Ėœ72Ā° C.). Heavier molecular weight constituents in the gas sample are condensed on the cold surfaces of the trap. The lighter molecular weight constituents are retained in the absorbent trap, while also acting as a column to separate methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide from each other and the remain carbon compounds. After separation, all of the sample constituents are oxidized to carbon dioxide and reduced to methane prior to being introduced to a Flame Ionization Detector, which measures the concentration of each against known calibration standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Wayne Allen Stollings
  • Publication number: 20130336842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a humidity sensor including, as a humidity absorbent layer, a polymer layer including a blend including a first polyamide and a second polyamide, where the said second polyamide includes, in its repetitive units, a number of carbon atoms greater than that of the repetitive units of the first polyamide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventor: Hubert Grange
  • Publication number: 20130273665
    Abstract: A sensor device can include a transition metal complex capable of interacting with a carbon-carbon multiple bond moiety. The sensor can detect the fruit-ripening hormone ethylene with high sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Birgit Esser, Jan M. Schnorr
  • Patent number: 8530241
    Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) elimination device. An HFC sensing device is configured to detect an ambient, gaseous HFC composition. The HFC elimination device further includes a component comprising a surface that includes glass, and a heating element that is configured to heat the glass to a temperature to decompose the ambient, gaseous HFC composition in response to detection of the ambient, gaseous HFC composition by the HFC sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Angele Sjong
  • Patent number: 8507288
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of carbon nanomaterials as a filtration material pervious to nitrogen dioxide and impervious to ozone. The invention also relates to the use of carbon nanomaterials having a specific surface, measured by the BET method, of 15 to 40 m2/g inclusive and a form factor, equal to the ratio (highest dimension/lowest dimension) of the nanomaterial, of 5 to 250 inclusive, as material for filtering a gas mixture containing nitrogen dioxide and ozone, being pervious to the nitrogen dioxide and impervious to the ozone. The invention can be used in the field of air pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite Blaise Pascalā€”Clermontā€”Ferrand II
    Inventors: Alain Pauly, Marc Dubois, Katia Guerin, AndrƩ Hamwi, JƩrƓme Brunet, Christelle Varenne, Bernard Lauron
  • Patent number: 8479558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing analyte. The method includes the steps of sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and outputting a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter by each of a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being provided in one or more sensor array columns, receiving an output current from one of the plurality of sensors from each of the plurality of sensor arrays by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) arranged in a VCO array. The method further includes the steps of generating an output oscillation frequency by each VCO in accordance with the level of the received output current, and counting a number of oscillations over a predetermined time received from each of the plurality of VCOs in the VCO array by a plurality of counters arranged in a counter array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sensorbit Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Dimmler, Thomas Moss, III
  • Patent number: 8454902
    Abstract: A sensing device is configured that a first piezoelectric vibrator and a second piezoelectric vibrator, changing over a connection to an oscillation circuit, have the oscillation circuit in common, that an impedance of a conductive path including a first one-surface-side electrode constituting the first piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit and an impedance of a conductive path including a second one-surface-side electrode constituting the second piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit are uniform with each other, and that an impedance of a conductive path including a first other-surface-side electrode constituting the first piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit and an impedance of a conductive path including a second other-surface-side electrode constituting the second piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit are uniform with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kukita, Shunichi Wakamatsu, Wakako Shinobu
  • Patent number: 8440467
    Abstract: Electronic devices comprising a dielectric material, at least one carbon sheet, and two electrode terminals are described herein. The devices exhibit non-linear current-versus-voltage response over a voltage sweep range in various embodiments. Uses of the electronic devices as two-terminal memory devices, logic units, and sensors are disclosed. Processes for making the electronic devices are disclosed. Methods for using the electronic devices in analytical methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Yubao Li, Alexander Sinitskiy
  • Patent number: 8438902
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing analyte is provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of sensor array columns, each sensor array column including a plurality of sensors, each sensor being adapted for sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and output a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter, a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) array including a plurality of VCOs, each VCO adapted to receive an output current from one of the plurality of sensors from each of the plurality of sensor arrays and for and generating an output oscillation frequency in accordance with the level of the received output current, and a counter array including a plurality of counters, each counter adapted to receive an output from a corresponding VCO and count a number of oscillations over a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sensorbit System, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Dimmler, Thomas Moss, III
  • Patent number: 8435449
    Abstract: A chemical substance sensing element 142 for detecting a specific chemical substance included in biological information includes a carbon nanostructure and, because of metal complex or a fluorescent molecule modifying its surface, exhibits substance selectivity and high sensitivity. Of the substances modifying the surface of carbon nanostructures, CoPc reacts with NO and pentane and DAF-2 reacts with NO, as the components contained in the biological information, respectively, and both produce reaction products. The reaction product derived from CoPc changes electric resistance between nodes 154 and 156, and the reaction product derived from DAF-2 generates fluorescence of a specific wavelength when irradiated with excitation light. Therefore, by measuring the change in electric resistance or presence/absence and wavelength of fluorescent of the present element, sensing of NO or pentane is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikihiro Yamanaka, Katsutoshi Takao, Tomohisa Kawata, Norie Matsui, Shuhji Nishiura, Keita Hara, Yasuaki Murashi, Jun Kudo
  • Patent number: 8409511
    Abstract: Sensing elements for sensing organic chemical analytes are disclosed. The sensing elements include a first electrode and a second electrode, and a substantially microporous, amorphous, hydrophobic, analyte-responsive organosilicate material in proximity to the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Neal A. Rakow, Michael S. Wendland, Stefan H. Gryska, Michael C. Palazzotto, John E. Trend
  • Patent number: 8394330
    Abstract: The present invention provides a class of sensors prepared from regions of conducting organic materials and conducting materials that show an increase sensitivity detection limit for amines. The present class of sensors have applications in the detection of spoiled food products and in testing for diseases, such as cholera and lung cancer, which have amines as biomarkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Carol Lewis, Robert Grubbs, Gregory Allen Sotzing
  • Patent number: 8383048
    Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a concentration of one or more element in hydrocarbon and/or natural gas in a oil and gas field application. The device including a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer; a controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element; a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from hydrocarbon and/or natural gas; a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8372650
    Abstract: In a sensing element for a nitrogen oxide molecule of the present invention, a sensing portion that is to be bonded to a nitrogen oxide molecule to be sensed is fixed between paired metal electrodes through connecting portions. The sensing portion is a single porphyrin molecule or a single porphyrin derivative molecule each having, as a central metal thereof, iron or cobalt. The connecting portions are each a mercaptophenyleneethynyl group bonded to the single porphyrin molecule or the single porphyrin derivative molecule. Provided are a sensing element for nitrogen oxide molecule, a sensing apparatus for nitrogen oxide molecule, and a method for sensing nitrogen oxide molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8303897
    Abstract: An organic chemical sensor includes a dielectric core that comprises an elastomer and a high dielectric constant material. The elastomer absorbs an organic chemical to be sensed. An electrically conductive layer is secured to a first side of the dielectric core. A permeable conductive layer is secured to a second side of the dielectric core. The permeable conductive layer is electrically conductive and permeable to the organic chemical to be sensed. The absorption of the organic chemical to be sensed by the elastomeric layer causes a decrease in the capacitance between the electrically conductive layer and the permeable conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Jeannine O. Colla, Paul E. Thoma
  • Patent number: 8298488
    Abstract: A microfabricated TID comprises a microhotplate and a thermionic source disposed on the microhotplate. The microfabricated TID can provide high sensitivity and selectivity to nitrogen- and phosphorous-containing compounds and other compounds containing electronegative function groups. The microfabricated TID can be microfabricated with semiconductor-based materials. The microfabricated TID can be combined with a microfabricated separation column and used in microanalytical system for the rapid on-site detection of pesticides, chemical warfare agents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and other organic compounds that contain nitrogen or phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lewis, Ronald P. Manginell, David R. Wheeler, Daniel E. Trudell
  • Patent number: 8268242
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a substrate, a hydrogen absorbing member, a power source, an ammeter, and a processing unit. The hydrogen absorbing member is positioned on the substrate, and includes a carbon nanotube yarn and a hydrogen absorbing film coated on the carbon nanotube yarn. The ammeter measures an electric current. The hydrogen absorbing member and the ammeter are connected in series to the power source. The processing unit is electrically coupled to the ammeter to obtain a hydrogen concentration according to the electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8268630
    Abstract: Sensor devices and sensing methods are provided. A sensor device is provided two flow channels, each comprising a sensor, and analyte flow is alternated between the two channels such that the sensors alternately serve as a sensor and a reference, thereby increasing accuracy of the sensors. The device is useful, for example, in chemical sensing using a variety of sensor types including without limitation: chemiresistors, gravimetric sensors, optical sensors, among others. Related sensing methods also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Gary Keith Fedder, Nathan Scott Lazarus
  • Patent number: 8222041
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) capable of performing as a CO2 or O2 sensor is disclosed, hi one implementation, a polymer solar cell can be connected to the HEMT for use in an infrared detection system. In a second implementation, a selective recognition layer can be provided on a gate region of the HEMT. For carbon dioxide sensing, the selective recognition layer can be, in one example, PEI/starch. For oxygen sensing, the selective recognition layer can be, in one example, indium zinc oxide (IZO). In one application, the HEMTs can be used for the detection of carbon dioxide and oxygen in exhaled breath or blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Patent number: 8216519
    Abstract: A hotplate chemical trace detector comprising a heatable conducting plate with a heater element having a predetermined temperature-power characteristic. A balancing circuit comprises an adjustable resistor for tuning the heater element to a predefined resistor value. A processor is provided for adjusting the adjustable resistor so as to provide a stabilized temperature in said heatable conducting plate and a detection circuit is provided for detecting a change of resistance in the heatable conducting plate in accordance with the presence of a chemical trace reacting in the presence of the conducting plate. According to the invention a test circuit is provided for measuring a dissipated power in the heater element and for calculating a real temperature from the dissipated power in the heater element based on the predetermined temperature-power characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Consultatie Implementatie Technisch Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Albert Bos
  • Publication number: 20120164753
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a thin-film bulk acoustic resonator such as including an acoustic mirror, a piezoelectric region acoustically coupled to the acoustic mirror, and first and second conductors electrically coupled to the piezoelectric region. In an example, an integrated circuit substrate can include an interface circuit connected to the first and second conductors of the resonator, the integrated circuit substrate configured to mechanically support the resonator. An example can include an array of such resonators co-integrated with the interface circuit and configured to detect a mass change associated with one or more of a specified protein binding, a specified antibody-antigen coupling, a specified hybridization of a DNA oligomer, or an adsorption of specified gas molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Matthew Johnston, Kenneth Shepard, Ioannis Kymissis
  • Patent number: 8198090
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided that can remove a residual liquid all around the leading end of a pipette, without requiring any new equipment, regardless of the viscosity of the residual liquid. This cartridge includes a plurality of tanks, each of which has an upper opening, and a liquid is introduced into or led out from at least one of the plurality of tanks 110 to 119 with a pipette. The cartridge further includes waste liquid tanks 120 to 122. The waste liquid tanks 120 to 122 each includes a capillary phenomenon generation portion. A residual liquid present at the leading end of the pipette is brought into contact with the capillary phenomenon generation portion of the waste liquid tanks, and the residual liquid is transferred to the capillary phenomenon generation portion through the capillary phenomenon to be removed from the pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Kosuke Kubo, Junichi Oka
  • Patent number: 8178357
    Abstract: Sensors, sensing systems and sensing methods of the invention provide for detection of peroxides, including for example, vapor-phase H2O2 and organic peroxides such as di-tert-butyl peroxide. A sensor and sensing method of the invention uses at least two phthalocyanines, one of which exhibits an oxidation reaction with peroxides and the other of which exhibits a reduction reaction with peroxides. A peroxide is readily identified by a sensor of the invention when one of the at least two phthalocyanines exhibits increased resistance to current flow and the other of the at least two phthalocyanines exhibits decreased resistance to current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: William C. Trogler, Forest Bohrer, Andrew C. Kummel