| abstract |
A process and electronic hardware and software system for rapidly heating and cooling the active sensing layer of a gas sensor is provided. A series of high-energy pulses passed through the CNT electroactive layer, heating the layer to different temperatures. The effect of various gases on the conductivity of the layer can be used to identify gases (eg, water vapor, alcohol, methane, O2 , CO2 , and CO). Advantageously, the same structures can also be used as nanoheaters, either within or outside the context of gas sensors. The device obtains unique gas spectra in seconds, allowing precise determination of gas types and gas mixtures based on a library of known spectra. |