System, device, and method for detecting steam

Abstract

To provide a system, a device, and a method for detecting steam.SOLUTION: A system for detecting steam 100 may include a battery 114 and a sensor 102 disposed in proximity to the battery. The sensor of the system for detecting steam may further include a substrate 104. The sensor of the system for detecting steam may further include a pair of electrodes 110 disposed on the substrate. The sensor of the system for detecting steam may further include a polymer support 106, and the polymer support is disposed on the substrate such that the polymer support is in contact with the pair of electrodes. The polymer support may contain an ionic salt. The polymer support may be configured to absorb at least a portion of the steam, and when the polymer support absorbs at least the portion of the steam, conductivity of the polymer support may increase.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems, devices, and methods for detecting vapors. [Background technology]

[0002] Applicant has identified numerous technical challenges and problems associated with systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting vapors. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved the problems with systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting vapors by developing the solutions embodied in this disclosure, which are described in detail below. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Various embodiments described herein relate to systems, devices, and methods for detecting vapors.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor for detecting vapors is provided. In some embodiments, the sensor may include a substrate for detecting vapors. In some embodiments, the sensor for detecting vapors may include a pair of electrodes disposed on the substrate. In some embodiments, the sensor for detecting vapors may include a polymer support, the polymer support being disposed on the substrate such that the polymer support is in contact with the pair of electrodes. In some embodiments, the polymer support includes an ionic salt. In some embodiments, the polymer support is configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor. In some embodiments, when the polymer support absorbs at least a portion of the vapor, the conductivity of the polymer support increases.

[0005] In some embodiments, the absorption of at least a portion of the vapor by the polymeric support solvates the ionic salt.

[0006] In some embodiments, the ionic salt comprises one or more of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, silver tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium triflate, tributylmethylammonium triflate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.

[0007] In some embodiments, the polymer support is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP ... Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co- vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate) (e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (e.g., poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (e.g., poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene), PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (e.g., poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), PVDF-HEP), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (e.g., poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, PDDA FSI), or poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium)bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (for example, poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium)bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, PDP TFSI).

[0008] In some embodiments, the vapor is propylene carbonate, PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) , ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

[0009] In some embodiments, a sensor for detecting vapor may include a pair of contact pads disposed on a substrate, each of the pair of contact pads in communication with one of the pair of electrodes.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for detecting vapors is provided. In some embodiments, the system for detecting vapors may include a battery. In some embodiments, the system for detecting vapors may include a sensor disposed proximate to the battery. In some embodiments, the sensor may include a substrate. In some embodiments, the sensor may include a pair of electrodes disposed on the substrate. In some embodiments, the sensor may include a polymer support disposed on the substrate such that the polymer support is in contact with the pair of electrodes. In some embodiments, the polymer support includes an ionic salt. In some embodiments, the polymer support is configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor. In some embodiments, when the polymer support absorbs at least a portion of the vapor, the conductivity of the polymer support increases.

[0011] In some embodiments, the absorption of at least a portion of the vapor by the polymeric support solvates the ionic salt.

[0012] In some embodiments, the ionic salt comprises one or more of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, silver tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium triflate, tributylmethylammonium triflate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.

[0013] In some embodiments, the polymer support is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate) (e.g., PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (e.g., PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (e.g., PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (e.g., PVDF-HEP), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDDA), and the like. FSI), or poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium) bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDP TFSI).

[0014] In some embodiments, the vapor comprises one or more of propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

[0015] In some embodiments, the battery releases vapor when the temperature of the battery is above a temperature threshold.

[0016] In some embodiments, the battery releases vapor due to a fault associated with the battery.

[0017] In some embodiments, the system may include a computing device in communication with the sensor and configured to measure the impedance of the polymer support or a phase angle associated with the polymer support.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for detecting vapor is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring the impedance of a polymer support. In some embodiments, the polymer support is disposed on a substrate such that the polymer support contacts a pair of electrodes disposed on the substrate. In some embodiments, the polymer support includes an ionic salt. In some embodiments, the polymer support is configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor. In some embodiments, the conductivity of the polymer support increases when the polymer support absorbs at least a portion of the vapor.

[0019] In some embodiments, the ionic salt comprises one or more of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, silver tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium triflate, tributylmethylammonium triflate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.

[0020] In some embodiments, the polymer support is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate) (e.g., PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (e.g., PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (e.g., PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (e.g., PVDF-HEP), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDDA), and the like. FSI), or poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium) bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDP TFSI).

[0021] In some embodiments, the vapor comprises one or more of propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

[0022] In some embodiments, vapor is detected when the impedance of the polymer support falls below an impedance threshold.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method may optionally include measuring a phase angle associated with the polymer support.

[0024] The foregoing summary has been provided for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it will be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed in any way to narrow the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those summarized herein, some of which are further described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in a particular embodiment described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than shown in the figures according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an overview of an exemplary system for detecting vapors, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary sensor in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary front view of an exemplary polymeric support, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary front view of an exemplary polymeric support, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an example battery overview of an example system for detecting vapor, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an overview of an exemplary battery pack of an exemplary system for detecting vapors, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an overview of an exemplary battery pack of an exemplary system for detecting vapors, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]1 illustrates an overview of an exemplary battery pack of an exemplary system for detecting vapors, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an exemplary impedance graph in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates an exemplary graph depicting the phase angle of impedance, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates an overview of an exemplary system for detecting vapor implemented on an electric vehicle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a computing device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for detecting vapors, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Exemplary embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Indeed, embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0027] overview The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein address technical problems associated with systems, devices, and methods for detecting vapors. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, there are numerous exemplary scenarios in which a user may use systems, devices, and methods for detecting vapors.

[0028] In many applications, it is often necessary to detect vapors. For example, it may be necessary to detect vapors associated with a battery (e.g., electrolyte vapors that may be released from the battery) to detect whether the battery is experiencing a failure and / or overheating (e.g., due to thermal runaway). In this regard, batteries are susceptible to failure and / or thermal runaway due to various catalysts, such as poor design, overcharging, over-discharging, physical damage, and / or exposure to extreme temperatures (e.g., high temperatures cause the battery to overheat). During battery failure and / or thermal runaway, the battery's temperature may increase to a level that causes chemical reactions within the battery, which further increases the battery's temperature and causes more chemical reactions. Battery failure and / or thermal runaway may cause the battery to suffer a catastrophic failure, such as fire, which may destroy the battery and even cause damage to nearby objects and / or individuals.

[0029] Because devices requiring large amounts of power, such as electric vehicles, may contain hundreds of batteries (e.g., hundreds of batteries organized into multiple battery packs, each of which may contain several batteries), the resulting catastrophic failure of a battery due to battery failure and / or thermal runaway is problematic for such devices. As a result, if one battery suffers catastrophic failure, it may cause other batteries in the battery pack and / or batteries in other battery packs to suffer catastrophic failure (e.g., a catastrophic failure of one battery in an electric vehicle may cause all batteries in the electric vehicle to ignite and suffer catastrophic failure), thus causing destruction of the electric vehicle, destruction of nearby objects (e.g., the garage in which the electric vehicle is parked), and / or harm to nearby individuals.

[0030] To mitigate the risk of battery failure and / or thermal runaway, many batteries include vents through which heat and vapor (e.g., vapor generated by a battery's chemical reaction) can be released. For example, vapor may be released through the battery vent. However, while the battery vent may allow some heat and vapor to escape from the battery, the vent alone often cannot prevent a battery experiencing battery failure and / or thermal runaway from suffering catastrophic failure. As such, a user associated with the battery and / or other systems associated with the battery (e.g., a computing device associated with the battery) must take corrective action (e.g., stop charging the battery). Thus, detecting vapor may enable a user associated with the battery and / or other systems associated with the battery to take corrective action to repair a battery experiencing failure and / or thermal runaway before the battery suffers catastrophic failure.

[0031] Exemplary solutions for detecting vapors include sensors, such as metal oxide sensors, that are not specifically designed to detect vapors. However, metal oxide sensors have several drawbacks. For example, metal oxide sensors are generally nonspecific, resulting in a reaction to any vapor (e.g., including vapors that are not desired to be detected), which can alter the surface oxidation of the metal oxide sensor, and / or have low sensitivity (e.g., a vapor can be detected only when a high concentration of the vapor is present near the sensor). As another example, metal oxide sensors use a moving average baseline to detect vapors, resulting in the metal oxide sensor being unable to detect the slow buildup of vapors. As another example, metal oxide sensors are prone to baseline drift over time, which reduces the accuracy of the metal oxide sensor over time. As another example, metal oxide sensors can be large, resulting in difficulty in placement near a battery (e.g., if the battery is in an enclosed space, such as in an electric vehicle, it may be difficult to place the metal oxide sensor near the battery). As another example, metal oxide sensors can be expensive to manufacture. As another example, metal oxide sensors can consume large amounts of power during operation (e.g., greater than 10 milliwatts (mW) because metal oxide sensors must typically be heated to high temperatures (e.g., greater than 200°C) in order to operate), and as a result, it can be difficult to provide enough power to enable the use of a desired number of metal oxide sensors in applications with a large number of batteries (e.g., in applications with hundreds of batteries, it may be desirable to use multiple metal oxide sensors, but due to the power consumption of the metal oxide sensors, it may be possible to provide sufficient power for only a fewer than desired number of metal oxide sensors).

[0032] Thus, systems that use metal oxide sensors to detect vapors often have a high rate of false alarms (e.g., because metal oxide sensors are non-specific sensors), become inaccurate over time (e.g., because metal oxide sensors are prone to baseline drift), cannot detect slow vapor buildup (e.g., because metal oxide sensors use a moving average baseline to detect vapors), and can be difficult and / or expensive to implement in many applications (e.g., because metal oxide sensors are large, expensive to manufacture, and consume large amounts of power during operation). These exemplary drawbacks of metal oxide sensors reduce their usefulness. Thus, a need exists for systems, devices, and methods capable of accurately and efficiently detecting vapors, such as systems, devices, and methods capable of accurately and efficiently detecting electrolyte vapor released from a battery.

[0033] Accordingly, exemplary systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein to address these and / or other challenges related to vapor detection, including, for example, those described in more detail below. An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sensor capable of detecting vapor. In some examples, the sensor may include a substrate, a pair of electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a polymer support, the polymer support being disposed on the substrate such that the polymer support is in contact with the pair of electrodes. In some examples, the polymer support may include an ionic salt. In some examples, the polymer support may be configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor, and the conductivity of the polymer support may increase when the polymer support absorbs at least a portion of the vapor. In some examples, the impedance of the polymer support and / or a phase angle associated with the polymer support may be measured, and vapor is detected when the impedance of the polymer support falls below an impedance threshold (e.g., due to an increase in conductivity) and / or when the phase angle associated with the polymer support (e.g., due to an increase in conductivity) is higher than a phase angle threshold. Thus, in some examples, the sensor may be capable of accurately detecting vapor released from a battery experiencing battery failure and / or thermal runaway in various applications and situations (e.g., without a high risk of false alarms). This allows a user associated with the battery and / or a system associated with the battery to take corrective action before the battery suffers catastrophic failure.

[0034] Exemplary Systems for Detecting Vapors 1-5 , embodiments herein provide an exemplary system for detecting vapor 100. In some embodiments, the system for detecting vapor 100 may include sensor 102. In some embodiments, sensor 102 may be capable of detecting any vapor that may solvate an ionic salt. For example, sensor 102 may be capable of detecting vapor associated with a battery (e.g., electrolyte vapor that may be released from a battery). In some embodiments, sensor 102 may have dimensions D1 and D2. In some embodiments, D1 may be less than 10 mm and / or D2 may be less than 10 mm. For example, in some embodiments, D1 may be approximately 1 mm and / or D2 may be approximately 1 mm.

[0035] In some embodiments, the sensor 102 may include a substrate 104. The substrate 104 may include one or more of silicon, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, borosilicate glass, quartz, silica, sapphire, alumina, or plastic. In other words, the substrate 104 may include any material capable of ensuring that the sensor 102 can detect the vapor 118. In this regard, for example, the substrate 104 may be a printed circuit board.

[0036] In some embodiments, the sensor 102 may include a pair of electrodes 110 disposed on a substrate 104. In some embodiments, the sensor 102 may include a polymer support 106 disposed on the substrate 104. The polymer support 106 may be disposed on the substrate 104 such that the polymer support 106 is in contact with each of the pair of electrodes 110. The pair of electrodes 110 may include one or more of copper, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, silicon carbide, palladium, platinum, gold, or a transition metal alloy. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the pair of electrodes 110 may be in contact with a portion of the polymer support 106. In this regard, for example, the polymer support 106 may be configured to provide a connection between the pair of electrodes 110 (e.g., the pair of electrodes 110 may not be in contact with each other). In some embodiments, the pair of electrodes 110 may be disposed on the substrate 104 in any configuration such that the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 may be measured. For example, each of the pair of electrodes 110 may be an interdigitated electrode. As another example, each of the pair of electrodes 110 may be disposed on the substrate 104 such that the pair of electrodes 110 forms a spiral. In some embodiments, the distance between the pair of electrodes 110 may be approximately equal to the thickness of the polymer support 106.

[0037] In some embodiments, the polymer support 106, when disposed on the substrate 104, The polymer support 106 can be of any shape that allows it to contact the pair of electrodes 110. For example, the polymer support 106 can be cylindrical, cubic, rectangular, etc. In some embodiments, the polymer support 106 can include one or more thermoplastics (e.g., non-reactive thermoplastics). For example, the polymer support 106 can be poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate) (e.g., PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (e.g., PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (e.g., PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (e.g., PVDF-HEP), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDDA), FSI), or poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium) bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDP TFSI).

[0038] In some embodiments, the polymeric support 106 can include an ionic salt 108. In some embodiments, the ionic salt 108 can be dispersed throughout the polymeric support 106. For example, the ionic salt 108 can be dispersed throughout the polymeric support 106 in clumps. As another example, the ionic salt 108 can be dispersed in a substantially uniform distribution throughout the polymeric support 106. In some embodiments, the ionic salt 108 can be dispersed throughout the polymeric support 106 in clumps and / or in a substantially uniform distribution throughout the polymeric support 106 before the sensor 102 detects the vapor 118.

[0039] In some embodiments, the ionic salt 108 can include one or more of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, silver tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium triflate, tributylmethylammonium triflate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. In some embodiments, the ionic salt 108 may be selected based on the solubility of the ionic salt 108 in the steam 118, the ability of the ionic salt 108 to form an ionically conductive electrolyte after the ionic salt 108 is exposed to the steam 118, and / or the compatibility of the ionic salt 108 with the polymer support 106.

[0040] In some embodiments, the polymer support 106 may be configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor 118. For example, when the vapor 118 is within the sensor 102, the polymer support 106 may absorb a portion of the vapor 118. In some embodiments, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor 118 may solvate the polymer support 106. In this regard, for example, the polymer support 106 may become more flexible. In some embodiments, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor 118 may solvate the ionic salt 108. In this regard, for example, the ionic salt 108 may dissolve in the polymer support 106 (e.g., the ionic salt 108 may dissociate into ions), as depicted in FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the polymer support 106 may absorb a portion of the vapor 118 (and solvate the polymer support 106 and / or the ionic salt 108) within one minute of the vapor 118 being present in the sensor 102. In some embodiments, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor 118 and, as a result, solvating the polymer support 106 and / or the ionic salt 108 increases the conductivity of the polymer support 106. In this regard, for example, if the conductivity of the polymer support 106 increases, the impedance of the polymer support 106 may decrease. As another example, if the conductivity of the polymer support 106 increases, the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 (e.g., the phase angle of the impedance of the polymer support 106) may shift (e.g., the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 may shift such that the phase angle exceeds a phase angle threshold).

[0041] In some embodiments, the vapor 118 can be any vapor capable of solvating the ionic salt 108. For example, as described above, the vapor 118 can be associated with one or more batteries 114. That is, in some embodiments, the vapor 118 can be emitted from one of the one or more batteries 114. In some embodiments, the vapor 118 can include one or more of propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

[0042] In some embodiments, the sensor 102 may include a pair of contact pads 112 disposed on the substrate 104. In some embodiments, each of the pair of contact pads 112 may communicate (e.g., electrically communicate) with one of the pair of electrodes 110. In some embodiments, each of the pair of contact pads 112 may communicate (e.g., electrically communicate) with one of the pair of electrodes 110 via an associated connection path 124. In some embodiments, each connection path 124 may include one or more electrical connection members, such as electrical wires, electrical leads, electrical traces, etc.

[0043] In some embodiments, each of the pair of contact pads 112 may be configured to connect to the computing device 126. In this regard, the sensor 102 may be configured to connect to the computing device 126 via each of the pair of contact pads 112 such that the sensor 102 and the computing device 126 may communicate (e.g., electrically communicate). In some embodiments, the sensor 102 and the computing device 126 may be connected by one or more electrical connection members, such as electrical wires, electrical leads, electrical trades, etc. Although FIG. 1 depicts the sensor 102 and the computing device 126 as separate components, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that in some embodiments, the sensor 102 and the computing device 126 may be combined into a single component. For example, the sensor 102 may be integrated with the computing device 126, or the computing device 126 may be incorporated into the sensor 102.

[0044] As described above, in some embodiments, the system for detecting vapor 100 may include one or more batteries 114. The one or more batteries 114 may be any type of battery used in various applications (e.g., in electric vehicles). For example, the one or more batteries 114 may include a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-polymer battery, an alkaline battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a carbon-zinc battery, a silver-oxide battery, a zinc-air battery, a single-use battery, a rechargeable battery, etc. In some embodiments, the one or more batteries 114 may include more than one type of battery. For example, one of the one or more batteries 114 may be a lithium-ion battery and another of the one or more batteries 114 may be a lithium-polymer battery.

[0045] In some embodiments, each of the one or more batteries 114 may include a vent 116. In some embodiments, the vent 116 may be positioned anywhere on each of the one or more batteries 114 (e.g., on top of each of the one or more batteries 114). The vent 116 of each of the one or more batteries 114 may be configured to move between a closed position 122 and an open position 120. In some embodiments, the vent 116 of each of the one or more batteries 114 may be in the closed position 122 when the battery is operating normally (e.g., the battery is undamaged and / or operating at a standard temperature). In some embodiments, the vent 116 of each of the one or more batteries 114 may be in the open position 120 when the battery is not operating normally (e.g., the battery is damaged and / or not operating at a standard temperature). For example, the vent 116 of one of the one or more batteries 114 may be in the open position 120 when the temperature of the battery is above a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the vent 116 of one of the one or more batteries 114 may be configured to move from a closed position 122 to an open position 120 when the temperature of the battery exceeds a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the temperature threshold may be based on the size (e.g., the size of the battery cells of the one or more batteries 114), the material (e.g., the material of the battery cells of the one or more batteries 114), and / or the design (e.g., the design of the battery cells of the one or more batteries 114). In some embodiments, the temperature threshold may be between approximately 130°C and 200°C.

[0046] In some embodiments, one or more vents 116 of one or more batteries 114 may be configured to move from a closed position 122 to an open position 120 to release vapor 118 from the battery, and in some embodiments, to release heat from the battery. In some embodiments, a vent 116 of one of one or more batteries 114 may be configured to move from a closed position 122 to an open position 120 to release vapor from the battery if the battery is overheating (e.g., experiencing thermal runaway) and / or due to a fault associated with the battery (e.g., a fault unrelated to overheating of the battery). For example, as the temperature of one of the one or more batteries 114 increases, vapor 118 may accumulate inside the battery. In some embodiments, once a certain amount of vapor 118 has accumulated in one of the one or more batteries 114 (e.g., if the temperature of the battery exceeds a temperature threshold), the vent 116 may move from the closed position 122 to the open position 120 to release the vapor 118 and reduce pressure inside the battery. In this regard, the release of vapor 118 may indicate that the battery is not operating normally (eg, the battery has overheated and is in a thermal runaway state).

[0047] While FIG. 1 depicts the sensor 102 and the one or more batteries 114 as separate components, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that in some embodiments, the sensor 102 and the one or more batteries 114 may be combined into a single component. For example, the sensor 102 may be incorporated into one of the one or more batteries (e.g., mounted on the surface of one of the one or more batteries 114). Additionally or alternatively, while FIG. 1 depicts only one sensor 102, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that in some embodiments, a system for detecting vapor 100 may include more than one sensor 102. For example, as depicted in FIG. 5, a system for detecting vapor 100 may include one sensor 102 for each of the one or more batteries 114. As another example, a system for detecting vapor 100 may include a first sensor 102 for a portion of the one or more batteries 114 and a second sensor 102 for another portion of the one or more batteries 114.

[0048] In some embodiments, one or more batteries 114 may be organized into one or more battery packs 602, as depicted in FIGS. For example, each of the one or more batteries 114 in the battery pack 602 may be associated with one sensor 102. For example, a sensor 102 may be disposed proximate to each of the one or more batteries 114 (e.g., a sensor 102 is attached to a surface of each of the one or more batteries 114). In some embodiments, for example, each of the one or more batteries 114 in the battery pack 602 may not be associated with a sensor 102. For example, a battery pack 602 having three batteries 114 may have two sensors 102, each of the two sensors 102 associated with some or all of the batteries 114 is the battery pack 602 (e.g., each sensor 102 may be associated with a battery 114 proximate to the sensor 102 in the battery pack 602). In some embodiments, the number of sensors 102 in the battery pack 602 may depend on the size of the battery pack 602 (e.g., the number of batteries 114 in the battery pack 602, the physical dimensions of the battery pack 602, etc.). In this regard, for example, the larger the size of the battery pack 602, the greater the number of sensors 102 within the battery pack 602.

[0049] In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 8 , one or more battery packs 602 may include a computing device, such as computing device 126. In this regard, for example, computing device 126 may serve as a battery pack management circuitry for battery pack 602. For example, computing device 126 may communicate with each sensor 102 in battery pack 602. As explained above, while FIG. 8 depicts sensors 102 and computing device 126 in battery pack 602 as separate components, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that in some embodiments, sensors 102 and computing device 126 may be combined into a single component. For example, sensors 102 may be integrated into computing device 126, or computing device 126 may be incorporated into sensors 102 (e.g., sensors 102 may be incorporated into battery pack management circuitry of battery pack 602, or battery pack management circuitry of battery pack 602 may be incorporated into sensors 102).

[0050] In some embodiments, the computing device 126 may be configured to measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 (e.g., using the pair of electrodes 110). In some embodiments, if the impedance of the polymer support 106 measured by the computing device 126 is below an impedance threshold, the computing device 126 may determine that vapor 118 has been detected. In this regard, as described above, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor 118 and, as a result, solvating the polymer support 106 and / or the ionic salt 108 increases the conductivity of the polymer support 106. In this regard, if the conductivity of the polymer support 106 increases, the impedance of the polymer support 106 decreases. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9 , if vapor is not detected, the impedance of the polymer support 106 may be above the impedance threshold (e.g., the impedance of the polymer support 106 is about 4 MΩ). As another example, as depicted in FIG. 9 , if vapor is detected, the impedance of the polymer support 106 may be below the impedance threshold (e.g., the impedance of the polymer support 106 is less than 1 MΩ). In this regard, for example, a system for detecting vapor 100 may be capable of accurately detecting vapor 118 with minimal power consumption by sensor 102 (e.g., by measuring the impedance of polymer substrate 106). For example, the average power consumption of sensor 102 may be less than 50 microwatts (μW) (e.g., when measuring impedance approximately once per second).

[0051] In some embodiments, the computing device 126 may be configured to measure a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 (e.g., using a pair of electrodes 110). The computing device 126 may be configured to determine the phase angle of the impedance of the polymer support 106. In some embodiments, if the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 measured by the computing device 126 shifts by an amount that exceeds a phase angle threshold, the computing device 126 may determine that vapor 118 has been detected. In this regard, as explained above, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor 118 and, as a result, solvating the polymer support 106 and / or the ionic salt 108 increases the conductivity of the polymer support 106. In this regard, if the conductivity of the polymer support 106 increases, the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 may shift by an amount that exceeds the phase angle threshold. For example, as depicted in FIG. 10 , if vapor is not detected, the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 does not exceed the phase angle threshold (e.g., the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 is approximately −80°). 10, when vapor is detected, the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 may shift such that the phase angle exceeds a phase angle threshold (e.g., the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 is approximately −20°). In this regard, for example, a system for detecting vapor 100 may be capable of accurately detecting vapor 118 with sensor 102 (e.g., by measuring the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106) with minimal power consumption. For example, the average power consumption of sensor 102 may be less than 50 microwatts (μW) (e.g., when measuring the phase angle approximately once per second).

[0052] 11 , the system for detecting vapor 100 may be implemented in an electric vehicle, such as electric vehicle 1100. In this regard, for example, electric vehicle 1100 may include one or more batteries 114, one or more sensors 102, and / or computing device 126. In some embodiments, for example, one or more batteries 114 of electric vehicle 1100 may be organized into one or more battery packs, each of the one or more battery packs being associated with one or more sensors 102. In some embodiments, computing device 126 may serve as a battery management system for electric vehicle 1100. While depicted as part of electric vehicle 1100 in FIG. 11 , those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that in some embodiments, computing device 126 may be separate from electric vehicle 1100 (e.g., electric vehicle 1100 may include sensors 102 and one or more batteries 114). In this regard, for example, computing device 126 may be a remote computing device that communicates with sensors 102.

[0053] 12 , in some embodiments, computing device 126 may include user interface 1202. In some embodiments, user interface 1202 embodies a user interface configured to be rendered in a native application associated with computing device 126 (e.g., user interface 1202 is rendered in a native application associated with electric vehicle 1100). In some embodiments, user interface 1202 embodies a web interface accessible by a browser or other web application. In this regard, user interface 1202 may be accessible by a browser or other web application associated with computing device 126.

[0054] In some embodiments, the user interface 1202 may include a measurement component 1204. The measurement component 1204 may be configured to measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106. For example, a user of the system for detecting vapor 118 may use the measurement component 1204 to measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 to determine whether the sensor 102 has detected vapor 118. (e.g., whether the polymer support 106 has absorbed at least a portion of the vapor 118, resulting in an increase in the conductivity of the polymer support 106). In this regard, a user of a system for detecting vapor 100 may use the measurement component 1204 to determine whether the impedance of the polymer support 106 has decreased below an impedance threshold and / or whether the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 has shifted above a phase angle threshold. In some embodiments, the measurement component 1204 may include text, symbols, graphs, and / or colors that enable a user to use the measurement component 1204 to measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106.

[0055] In some embodiments, the user interface 1202 of the computing device 126 may include a measured component 1206. The measured component 1206 may be configured to display the measured impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the measured phase angle associated with the polymer support 106. In some embodiments, the measured component 1206 may display the measured impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the measured phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 after a user of the system for detecting vapor 100 selects the measurement component 1204 to measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the measured phase angle associated with the polymer support 106. Additionally or alternatively, the system for detecting vapor 100 may continuously and / or periodically measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 (e.g., without a user selecting the measurement component 1204 to measure the impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106). In this regard, for example, the measured component 1206 may display the most recent impedance measurement of the polymer support 106 and / or the most recent phase angle measurement associated with the polymer support 106, multiple impedance measurements and / or phase angle measurements associated with the polymer support 106 taken over a period of time (e.g., to show trends), and / or impedance measurements below an impedance threshold and / or phase angle measurements where the phase angle associated with the polymer support has shifted to above a phase angle threshold. In some embodiments, the measured component 1206 may include text, symbols, graphs, and / or colors that indicate the measured impedance of the polymer support 106 and / or the measured phase angle associated with the polymer support 106.

[0056] In some embodiments, the user interface 1202 of the computing device 126 may include an alert component 1208. In some embodiments, the alert component 1208 may indicate to a user of the system for detecting vapor 100 that vapor 118 has been detected. In this regard, the alert component 1208 may indicate to a user when the impedance of the polymer support 106 falls below an impedance threshold and / or when a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 shifts to an extent that exceeds a phase angle threshold (e.g., indicating that the conductivity of the polymer support 106 has increased and that one of the one or more batteries 114 may be in a thermal runaway state). As a result, in response to an indication on the alert component 1208, a user of the system for detecting vapor 100 may be able to quickly take corrective action to prevent catastrophic failure of one or more of the one or more batteries 114. In some embodiments, the warning component 1208 may include text, a symbol, a graph, and / or a color that indicates to a user of a system for detecting vapor 118 that vapor 118 has been detected (e.g., because the impedance of the polymer support 106 has fallen below an impedance threshold and / or because a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 has shifted to an extent that exceeds a phase angle threshold). For example, the warning component 1208 may be a warning light in the electric vehicle 1100. As another example, the warning component 1208 may be a warning light in the computing device 126. It can be a notification from a native application.

[0057] Although measurement component 1204, measured component 1206, and / or alert component 1208 are depicted as separate components of user interface 1202, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that in some embodiments, measurement component 1204, measured component 1206, and / or alert component 1208 may be combined into a single component on user interface 1202. For example, measured component 1206 and alert component 1208 may be combined into a single component on user interface 1202.

[0058] In some embodiments, the computing device 126 may be configured to automatically take corrective action to prevent catastrophic failure of one or more of the one or more batteries 114 when the computing device 126 determines that the impedance of the polymer support 106 has fallen below an impedance threshold and / or that a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 has shifted to an extent that exceeds a phase angle threshold. For example, if one or more batteries 114 are charging, the computing device 126 may be configured to automatically stop charging the batteries 114 when the computing device 126 determines that the impedance of the polymer support 106 has fallen below an impedance threshold and / or that a phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 has shifted to an extent that exceeds a phase angle threshold. As another example, when one or more batteries 114 are supplying power (e.g., the electric vehicle 1100 is on), the computing device 126 may be configured to stop supplying power from the one or more batteries 114 (e.g., shut down the electric vehicle 1100) when the computing device 126 determines that the impedance of the polymer support 106 falls below an impedance threshold and / or the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 has shifted to an extent that exceeds a phase angle threshold.

[0059] Exemplary Methods for Detecting Vapors 13, a flowchart is illustrated providing an exemplary method for detecting vapor 1300. In this regard, FIG. 13 illustrates operations that may be performed by a system for detecting vapor 100 and / or components of a system for detecting vapor 100. For example, in some embodiments, the operations illustrated in FIG. 13 may be performed with the assistance of and / or under the control of, for example, computing device 126, sensor 102, and / or one or more batteries 114 (e.g., using processing circuit 1402, memory 1404, processor 1406, user interface 1408, and / or communication interface 1410).

[0060] As shown in block 1310, the method for detecting the vapor 1300 may include measuring the impedance of the polymer support or a phase angle associated with the polymer support. As described above, in some embodiments, the polymer support may be disposed on a substrate such that the polymer support contacts a pair of electrodes disposed on the substrate. In some embodiments, the polymer support may include an ionic salt configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor. In some embodiments, the polymer support may increase its electrical conductivity as the polymer support absorbs at least a portion of the vapor. In some embodiments, the polymer support solvates the polymer support and / or the ionic salt.

[0061] As explained above, the polymeric support can include one or more thermoplastics (e.g., non-reactive thermoplastics). For example, the polymeric support can be poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), The polymer may comprise one or more of the following: acrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate) (e.g., PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (e.g., PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (e.g., PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (e.g., PVDF-HEP), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium) bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDDA FSI), or poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium) bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (e.g., PDP TFSI). As discussed above, the ionic salt 108 can include one or more of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, silver tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium triflate, tributylmethylammonium triflate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.As discussed above, the vapor may include one or more of propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

[0062] As described above, vapor may be released from one or more batteries. In this regard, for example, a vent of one of the one or more batteries may be configured to move from a closed position to an open position to release vapor from the battery, and in some embodiments, to release heat from the battery. In this regard, in some embodiments, when the temperature of one of the one or more batteries increases, vapor may accumulate inside the battery. In some embodiments, once a certain amount of vapor has accumulated in one of the one or more batteries (e.g., when the temperature of the battery exceeds a temperature threshold), the vent may move from a closed position to an open position to release the vapor and reduce pressure inside the battery. In this regard, the release of vapor may indicate that the battery is not operating normally (e.g., the battery is overheating and experiencing thermal runaway).

[0063] As indicated at block 1320, the method for detecting vapor 1300 may include detecting the vapor based on a measured impedance of the polymer support or a measured phase angle associated with the polymer support. As described above, in some embodiments, vapor is detected when the impedance of the polymer support is below an impedance threshold. In this regard, as described above, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor and, as a result, solvating the polymer support and / or ionic salt increases the conductivity of the polymer support. In this regard, if the conductivity of the polymer support increases, the impedance of the polymer support decreases. As described above, in some embodiments, vapor 118 is detected when the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 shifts by an amount that exceeds a phase angle threshold. In this regard, as described above, absorbing at least a portion of the vapor 118 and, as a result, solvating the polymer support 106 and / or ionic salt The saturation increases the conductivity of the polymer support 106. In this regard, if the conductivity of the polymer support 106 increases, the phase angle associated with the polymer support 106 may shift to such an extent that the phase angle exceeds a phase angle threshold.

[0064] Exemplary Computer Processing Device Referring to Figure 14, a block diagram of an exemplary computing device 1400 is illustrated, according to some exemplary embodiments. In some embodiments, computing device 126 (e.g., battery pack management circuitry, battery management circuitry, etc.) and / or other devices may be embodied as one or more computing devices, such as computing device 1400 of Figure 14. However, it should be noted that the components, devices, or elements illustrated and described in Figure 14 below may not be required, and thus one or more may be omitted in particular embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different components, devices, or elements than those illustrated and described in Figure 14.

[0065] The computing device 1400 may include or otherwise communicate with a processing circuit 1402 that is configurable to perform actions according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. In this regard, the processing circuit 1402 may be configured to perform and / or control the execution of one or more functions of the computing device 1400 according to various embodiments, and may thus provide a means for performing the functions of the computing device 1400 according to various embodiments. The processing circuit 1402 may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, and / or other processing and management services according to one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, the computing device 1400, or portions or components thereof, such as the processing circuit 1402, may be embodied as or comprise a chip or chipset. In other words, the computing device 1400 or the processing circuit 1402 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) that include materials, components, and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, economy of size, and / or limited electrical interaction of the component circuits contained thereon. Accordingly, the computer processing device 1400 or processing circuit 1402 may, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip, or as a single "system-on-chip." Thus, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute a means for performing one or more operations to provide the functionality described herein.

[0066] 14, the processing circuit 1402 may include a processor 1406 and may further include a memory 1404. The processing circuit 1402 may interact with or otherwise control a user interface 1408 and / or a communication interface 1410. As such, the processing circuit 1402 may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software) to perform the operations described herein.

[0067] The processor 1406 may be embodied in many different ways. For example, the processor 1406 may be embodied as one or more of a variety of processing means, such as a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller, or various other computing or processing devices, including, for example, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), etc. Although illustrated as a single processor, It will be understood that processor 1406 may comprise multiple processors. The multiple processors may be in operative communication with each other and collectively configured to perform one or more functions of computing device 1400, as described herein. In some embodiments, processor 1406 may be configured to execute instructions stored in memory 1404 or otherwise accessible to processor 1406. Thus, whether configured by hardware or a combination of hardware and software, processor 1406 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry, in the form of processing circuit 1402) that is configured according to and capable of performing embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, for example, if processor 1406 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, etc., processor 1406 may be tangibly configured in hardware to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, if processor 1406 is embodied as an execution entity of software instructions, the instructions may tangibly configure processor 1406 to perform one or more operations described herein.

[0068] In some embodiments, memory 1404 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices, such as, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, which may be either fixed or removable. In this regard, memory 1404 may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. While memory 1404 is illustrated as a single memory, it will be understood that memory 1404 may comprise multiple memories. Memory 1404 may be configured to store information, data, applications, computer instructions, etc., to enable processing device 1400 to perform various functions according to one or more embodiments. For example, memory 1404 may be configured to buffer input data for processing by processor 1406. Additionally or alternatively, memory 1404 may be configured to store instructions for execution by processor 1406. As yet another alternative, memory 1404 may include one or more databases, which may store various files, content, or data sets. Among the contents of memory 1404, applications may be stored for execution by processor 1406 to perform functions associated with the respective applications. In some cases, memory 1404 may communicate with one or more of processor 1406, user interface 1408, and / or communication interface 1410 via a bus for passing information between components of computing device 1400.

[0069] The user interface 1408 may be in communication with the processing circuit 1402 to receive indications of user input at the user interface 1408 and / or to provide audio, visual, mechanical, or other output to the user. As such, the user interface 1408 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touchscreen display, a microphone, a speaker, and / or other input / output mechanisms. As such, the user interface 1408, in some embodiments, may provide a means for a user to access and interact with the computing device 126 and / or the sensor 102.

[0070] The communication interface 1410 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and / or networks. In some cases, the communication interface 1410 may be any means, such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software, configured to receive and / or transmit data from and / or to a network and / or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuit 1402. As an example, the communication interface 1410 may be configured to enable the computing device 126 to communicate with the sensor 102 and / or other computing devices. Thus, communication interface 1410 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software to enable communication with a wireless communication network (e.g., a wireless local area network, a cellular network, a global positing system network, etc.), and / or a cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (UTC), or other network. The device may include a communications modem or other hardware / software to support communications via universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet, or other methods.

[0071] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. While the drawings illustrate only certain components of the devices and systems described herein, it will be understood that various other components may be used in conjunction with the systems. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the steps in the methods described above need not necessarily occur in the order depicted in the accompanying drawings; in some cases, one or more of the depicted steps may occur substantially simultaneously, or additional steps may be included. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0072] Although various embodiments according to the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, modifications thereof can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein are merely representative and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Alternative embodiments resulting from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set forth above.

[0073] Additionally, the section headings used herein are provided to conform to the propositions of 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise provide organizational guidance, and these headings do not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth in any claim that may issue from this disclosure.

[0074] Words such as "comprises," "includes," and "having" It should be understood that the use of broader terms provides support for narrower terms such as "consisting of," "consisting essentially of," and "comprised substantially of." The use of terms such as "optionally," "may," "might," and "possibly" with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or that the element is required in the alternative, and both options are within the scope of the embodiment. Also, references to examples are provided merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive.

Claims

1. 1. A sensor for detecting vapor, comprising: A substrate; a pair of electrodes disposed on the substrate; a polymer support disposed on the substrate such that the polymer support is in contact with the pair of electrodes, the polymer support comprising an ionic salt, the polymer support configured to absorb at least a portion of the vapor, and wherein the conductivity of the polymer support increases when the polymer support absorbs at least a portion of the vapor.

2. 2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the ionic salt comprises one or more of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, silver tetrafluoroborate, tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium triflate, tributylmethylammonium triflate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.

3. 2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the polymeric support comprises one or more of poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(acrylonitrile), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(1-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium)bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, or poly(dimethylpyrrolidinium)bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.

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