Conductive Nanostructure Gas Sensor Thermal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forming gas sensors with conductive nanomaterials is challenging due to the susceptibility of these materials to high temperatures, which can cause them to melt or break, limiting their use in high-temperature operations and affecting gas detection ability.
Innovation Solution
A sensitive device comprising conductive nanostructures covered with a conductive layer having a higher intrinsic melting point than the nanostructures, which protects them from thermal processes and enables effective gas detection by preventing melting and maintaining electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conductive nanomaterial is used as sensitive device, then electrical conductivity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining conductive nanomaterial (such as silver nanowires) with a protective conductive layer (such as copper oxide or other high-melting-point conductive materials). This composite structure allows the device to maintain the high electrical conductivity of the nanomaterial while gaining the thermal stability of the protective layer, effectively resolving the contradiction between conductivity and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective conductive layer acts as an intermediary between the conductive nanomaterial and the high-temperature environment. This intermediate layer protects the nanomaterial from direct thermal damage during thermal processes and high-temperature operation, allowing the nanomaterial to maintain its conductivity without being exposed to damaging temperatures.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermal process is applied to form gas sensor, then manufacturing capability is improved, but conductive nanomaterial structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective conductive layer is formed on the conductive nanomaterial before the thermal process is applied. This preliminary protective action ensures that when the thermal process is subsequently applied for gas sensor fabrication, the nanomaterial structure is already protected and will not be damaged by the high temperatures, thus maintaining manufacturing capability while preserving nanostructure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer serves as a cushioning barrier that absorbs and protects the conductive nanomaterial from the harmful effects of the thermal process. By placing this protective layer beforehand, the nanomaterial is shielded from thermal damage during manufacturing, allowing standard thermal processes to be used without compromising the delicate nanostructure.
3Measurement precision
If high temperature operation is enabled, then gas detection ability is improved, but nanomaterial structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective conductive layer acts as an intermediary that allows the device to operate at high temperatures for improved gas detection while preventing the conductive nanomaterial from being damaged by these high temperatures. The intermediary layer absorbs the thermal stress, enabling high-temperature operation without compromising nanomaterial structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the use of conductive nanomaterials in gas sensors that can operate in high-temperature environments without degradation, enhancing gas detection ability and ensuring reliable performance.
Implementation Method 1
An intrinsic melting point of the conductive layer is higher than that of first conductive nanostructures
Implementation Method 2
Gas sensor can absorb gas through a gas sensitive device. Variation of physical or chemical property (such as electrical resistance variation) is generated as the gas sensitive device absorbs gas
Implementation Method 3
The electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the first conductive nanostructures and conductive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A sensitive device includes a plurality of first conductive nanostructures, a conductive layer and at least one electrode. The conductive layer covers the first conductive nanostructures. An intrinsic melting point of the conductive layer is higher than that of the first conductive nanostructures. At least one of the conductive layer and the first conductive nanostructures is sensitive to gas. The electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the first conductive nanostructures and the conductive layer.