Odor Sensor Using Proton-Releasing Adsorption Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
The relative dielectric constant of substance adsorption films in existing smell sensors may not change significantly upon gas exposure, limiting detection sensitivity, and focusing solely on this change may not effectively improve detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A smell sensor with an ion-sensitive portion and a substance adsorption film that releases protons upon adsorbing a smell substance, allowing detection of changes in electrical characteristics and ion concentration, facilitated by a reference voltage applied through an electrode, utilizing a polyaniline film in the emeraldine-salt state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If detection is based on change in relative dielectric constant of substance adsorption film, then detection method is simple, but detection sensitivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ion-sensitive portion as an intermediary element between the substance adsorption film and the detection system. When the smell substance is adsorbed and protons are released, the ion-sensitive portion detects the resulting ion concentration change, providing a more sensitive detection mechanism than directly measuring dielectric constant changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the detection parameter from relative dielectric constant to ion concentration. By monitoring ion concentration changes in the vicinity of the ion-sensitive portion caused by proton release, the system achieves higher detection sensitivity while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
2Ease of operation
If focus is placed on dielectric constant change, then detection approach is straightforward, but detection accuracy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ion-sensitive portion serves as a mediator that translates the chemical interaction (proton release from smell substance adsorption) into a measurable electrical signal. This intermediary mechanism improves detection accuracy while keeping the overall system easy to operate and interpret.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical measurement approach (dielectric constant measurement) with a chemical-biological approach (ion concentration detection via ion-sensitive portion). This substitution enables more accurate detection of smell substances while maintaining operational simplicity through electronic readout.
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 sensor accurately and promptly detects smell substances by monitoring changes in ion concentration, enhancing sensitivity and detection speed compared to methods relying on dielectric constant changes.
Implementation Method 1
a substance adsorption film disposed on the ion sensitive portion and configured to adsorb a smell substance to be detected
Implementation Method 2
the ion sensitive portion is configured to change a potential of the ion sensitive portion in response to a change in ion concentration in a vicinity of the ion sensitive portion due to proton release from the substance adsorption film
Data Source
AI summary
A smell sensor includes an ion sensor having a sensitive film, a substance adsorption film disposed on the sensitive film and configured to adsorb a smell substance to be detected, and an electrode configured to apply a reference voltage to the substance adsorption film. The substance adsorption film is in a state of releasing a proton in response to absorbing the smell substance.