Arizona State University

Chenwen Lin

Nongjian Tao

Di Wang

A micro-colorimetric sensor for sensing target chemicals using edge tracking includes a substrate. A plurality of parallel linear channels of porous media is entrenched into the substrate and each linear channel includes a sensing material adapted to sense one of several specific target chemicals in air. The plurality of parallel linear channels is separated by barrier material from the adjacent parallel linear channel where the barrier material blocks diffusion of chemicals from one linear channel to another. A plate is affixed over the substrate top to cover the plurality of parallel linear channels. An air sample is diffused along the micro-colorimetric sensor and color images are captured. An intensity profile is derived from the plurality of color images to determine a maximum and a minimum intensity value along the sensor. A plurality of positions along the sensor is tracked to determine an edge position.

Method and apparatus for continuous gas monitoring using micro-colorimetric sensing and optical tracking of color spatial distribution

A micro-colorimetric sensor for sensing target chemicals that converts time sequence information into a spatial distribution of color. By tracking the spatial color distribution, chemical exposure over time is thus detected, which overcomes the limitation of traditional colorimetric sensors. A porous media is coated on a top surface of the substrate. Multiple sensing chemicals are fused in parallel linear channels into the porous media coating. A plate is affixed over the substrate top surface to cover the plurality of parallel linear channels. An air sample is diffused along the porous media to get a clear pattern of spatial color distribution and color images are captured. Optical parameters like gradient of spatial color distribution, intensity, and absorbance, etc., can be tracked to calculate analytes concentrations.

Growing community of inventors

Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Chenwen Lin