Organic Semiconductor Gas Sensor for Cumulative Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensing technologies face challenges in measuring cumulative exposure to target gases without continuous monitoring and power supply, particularly for irreversible responses in semiconducting gas sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using semiconducting gas sensor devices with doped organic semiconductor layers, including thin film transistors and chemiresistors, that measure changes in parameters like resistance or current without continuous electrical connection or power, allowing for cumulative gas exposure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring and power supply are used for gas sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is pre-doped with organic semiconductor material and prepared in advance, enabling it to accumulate gas exposure data passively over time without requiring continuous power supply or active monitoring during the measurement period. The cumulative exposure is measured in a single reading after the exposure period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs low-cost, single-use sensor devices that are distributed to multiple locations for cumulative gas exposure measurement. These disposable sensors eliminate the need for expensive, complex continuous monitoring systems while providing sufficient measurement precision for cumulative exposure assessment.
2Reliability
If continuous power supply is provided for gas sensing, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous power supply, the system uses periodic action by providing power only at the moment of measurement. The sensor accumulates gas exposure data passively during the exposure period, and a single brief power pulse is applied to read the cumulative exposure value, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device performs self-service by passively accumulating gas exposure data through the inherent properties of the doped organic semiconductor layer. The sensor automatically records cumulative exposure without requiring active power supply or control electronics during the measurement period, eliminating continuous energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas sensor devices are distributed to different objects, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring task into multiple independent, simple sensor devices that can be distributed to different objects and locations. Each sensor is a standalone unit capable of cumulative gas exposure measurement, and the overall system adaptability is achieved by deploying multiple segmented sensors rather than one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor devices are designed as universal, multi-functional units that can be attached to various objects (containers, vehicles, storage facilities) and measure cumulative gas exposure across different environments. The same simple device design provides adaptability to multiple applications without increasing individual device complexity.
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
Enables cost-effective, single-use gas sensors to measure cumulative gas exposure without active monitoring, allowing for efficient distribution and control of target gases in environments.
Implementation Method 1
Park et al, "Atomic Imaging of the Irreversible Sensing Mechanism of NO2 Adsorption on Copper Phthalocyanine" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135 (39), pp 14600-14609 discloses fracturing of a copper phthalocyanine monolayer upon adsorption of NO2.
Implementation Method 2
The measured response may be indicative of a cumulative amount of the target gas that the gas sensor has been exposed to... the response is a change in one or more of a drain current; a resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sensing a target gas in an environment in which a response of a semiconducting gas sensor device upon exposure to the environment is measured. The semiconducting gas sensor device includes first and second electrodes in electrical contact with a doped organic semiconductor layer and is, e.g., an organic thin film transistor or organic chemiresistor. The measured response may be indicative of a cumulative amount of a target gas that the semiconducting gas sensor device has been exposed to. A gas sensor module containing the semiconducting gas sensor device may be connectable to a reader configured to read the semiconducting gas sensor device after exposure to the environment. The connection may be wired or wireless. The target gas may be 1-methylcyclopropene.