Odor Sensor with Dopant-Modified Electroconductive Polymer Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current odor sensors struggle to accurately detect and distinguish complex odor patterns, as they are limited by the range of differences in physical properties of adsorbent membranes and require synthesis of multiple derivatives, which narrows the variety of detectable odors and lacks sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The development of an odor sensor with a substance adsorbing membrane that incorporates an electroconductive polymer and a dopant, allowing for varying dopant content ratios across multiple sensor elements, enabling the detection of multiple states of adsorption and expanding the range of detectable odors by modifying the membrane's physical and chemical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple derivatives of electroconductive polymers are synthesized to expand the range of detectable odors, then the variety of adsorbent membranes increases, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by developing a single base electroconductive polymer that can serve multiple detection functions through dopant modification. Instead of creating multiple different polymer derivatives, the invention uses one universal polymer backbone that can detect various odors by changing dopants, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the dopant content ratio and dopant type in the electroconductive polymer to alter the membrane's physical and chemical characteristics. This allows a single polymer structure to achieve multiple detection capabilities by changing chemical parameters (dopant composition) rather than creating structurally different polymers.
2Measurement precision
If the range of physical properties of adsorbent membranes is limited, then the sensor structure remains simple, but the ability to detect and distinguish complex odor patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating sensor elements with different dopant content ratios within the same polymer structure. Each sensor element has a specific local composition (dopant ratio) that gives it unique odor detection characteristics, allowing the array to distinguish complex odor patterns without requiring fundamentally different polymer structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the detection function across multiple sensor elements, each with slightly different dopant content ratios. This segmentation of the detection task across identical polymer structures with varying dopant compositions enables complex odor pattern recognition while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single type of electroconductive polymer is used with varying dopant ratios, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the range of detectable odor substances may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the dopant content ratio and dopant type in a single electroconductive polymer to expand the detectable odor range. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by using one polymer synthesis process while achieving versatility through parameter variation in the doping step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a base electroconductive polymer with various dopants in different ratios to create composite membranes with tailored properties. This allows a single polymer framework to achieve diverse detection capabilities through composite formation with different dopant combinations.
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
This approach allows for the detection of multiple states of adsorption in a single gas, enabling the output of detection patterns that can accurately identify complex odor compositions, including unknown substances, and provides a 'second nose' capability for odor analysis.
Implementation Method 1
two or more sensor elements each having a substance adsorbing membrane for adsorbing odor substances
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, there is provided an odor sensor including at least two sensor elements each having a substance adsorbing membrane for adsorbing one or more odor substances included in air; and an electrical signal conversion unit for measuring the electrical characteristics of the substance adsorbing membrane after adsorption of the substance, in which the substance adsorbing membrane has a main skeleton containing an electroconductive polymer and contains a dopant for modifying the main skeleton of the electroconductive polymer, and the at least two sensor elements are respectively provided with substance adsorbing membranes having different proportions of the main skeleton and the dopant. Also provided is an odor measurement system using the sensor.