RFID Chemiresistor Badge for Wireless Chemical Hazard Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical sensing technologies are often expensive, bulky, fragile, and require trained personnel to operate, and they typically require physical contact with the sensing element via wires or solid-state circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A device using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with an integrated circuit and a chemiresistor connected in parallel, which changes resistivity upon interaction with a stimulus, allowing for wireless detection without the need for a power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional chemical sensing platforms are miniaturized to increase portability, then portability is improved, but the devices become expensive, bulky, or fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/wire-based sensing systems with a wireless RFID-based system. The RFID tag contains the chemiresistor sensor that wirelessly transmits resistance change data, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and mechanical components that make devices bulky and fragile, thereby improving portability while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single RFID tag device: the tag serves as both the sensing element (chemiresistor) and the wireless communication device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensing devices, data acquisition systems, and power supplies, making the device portable while maintaining full sensing capability
2Reliability
If traditional chemical sensing devices use physical contact via wires or solid-state circuitry, then data acquisition is reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wire connections and solid-state circuitry with wireless RFID communication. The RFID tag wirelessly transmits the resistance change data from the chemiresistor to external readers, eliminating complex physical connections while maintaining data acquisition reliability through established RFID communication protocols
3Measurement precision
If traditional sensing devices require power sources and trained personnel, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is a passive device that harvests power from the electromagnetic field generated by the RFID reader during communication. This self-powered operation eliminates the need for separate power sources and complex power management circuits, making the device easy to operate while maintaining sensing precision through the inherent stability of the chemiresistor measurement
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 device enables low-cost, user-friendly, and reliable chemical hazard detection, allowing for real-time, personalized risk assessment and transmission of chemical hazard data wirelessly.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor portion is configured to change resistivity when the radio frequency identification tag contacts or interacts with the stimulus, whereby the resistivity change alters an output of the radio frequency identification tag
Implementation Method 2
A device for detecting a stimulus can include a radio frequency identification tag including a sensor portion including an integrated circuit and a chemiresistor
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless sensor platform design and a single walled carbon nanotube/ionic liquid-based chemidosimeter system can incorporated into a highly sensitive and selective chemical hazard badge that can dosimetrically detect an analyte down to a sub parts-per-million concentration.