R.A. Potyrailo
GE Vernova Advanced Research Center,
United States
Keywords: multi-gas differentiation, rejection against interferences, sensitivity boost, drift self-correction, societal impact, “3S” requirements
Summary:
Contemporary gas-monitoring demands push existing gas sensor designs to their fundamental limits in “3S” requirements of Sensitivity, Selectivity, and Stability. The origin of these limits is in the single-output (e.g., resistance, electrical current, light intensity) sensor designs, also known as zero-order sensors. Any zero-order gas sensor is affected by chemical background and sensor drift that cannot be distinguished from the response to an analyte gas. In our talk we will bridge the gap between existing and required gas detection capabilities by single-output sensors, sensor arrays, and traditional analytical instruments. Inspired by mathematics behind the first- and second-order traditional analytical instruments, next-generation gas sensors are being designed on four pillars: (1) physical transducer with excitation to operate with independent variables, (2) sensing material with different responses to multiple volatiles under variable excitation, (3) excitation to achieve independent responses, (4) data analytics for multi-gas differentiation, rejection of interferences, and drift self-correction. We will show that individual next-generation sensors achieve multi-gas differentiation, rejection against known and unknown interferences, boost sensor sensitivity, and self-correct against drift. These advancements are becoming a reality without making fundamental changes to existing manufacturing practices of gas-sensor systems. The societal impact of the next generation gas sensors is in opportunities for more proactive developments of diverse types of sensors that cannot afford frequent periodic maintenance that is typical of traditional analytical instruments.