Patent abstracts

Citation

(2009), "Patent abstracts", Sensor Review, Vol. 29 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2009.08729dad.005

Patent abstracts

Article Type: Web sites, patent abstracts and book review From: Sensor Review, Volume 29, Issue 4

Title: Trans-1,2-diphenylethylene derivatives and nanosensors made therefromPatent number: WO2009011674Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: Western Michigan University Re; Muralidharan Subra; Wang Chun

Abstract

Novel trans-1,2-diphenylethylene derivatives are synthesized which can be used to form nanoparticles-monomer-nanomolecule-receptor nanosensors. These trans-1,2-diphenylethylene derivatives are soluble in both water and organic solvents, highly fluorescent and can be synthesized in high yields. The trans-1,2-diphenylethylene derivatives are bonded to a nanoparticle, a nanomolecule bonded to the derivative and a receptor bonded to the nanomolecule to form a nanosensor that can be used to detect chemical and biological agents.

Title: Nanomaterial-based gas sensorsPatent number: WO2008153593Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Bourns Inc., University of California; Deshusses Marc Arnold; Myung Nosang; Bosze Wayne

Abstract

A gas sensing device (nanosensor) includes a substrate with at least a pair of conductive electrodes spaced apart by a gap, and an electrochemically functionalized semiconductive nanomaterial bridging the gap between the electrodes to form a nanostructure network. The nanomaterial may be single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized by the deposition of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal (e.g. gold or palladium), a doped polymer (e.g. camphor-sulfonic acid doped polyaniline), and a metal oxide (e.g. tin oxide). Depending on the nanoparticles employed in the functionalization, the nanosensor may be used to detect a selected gas, such as hydrogen, mercury vapor, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, water vapor, and/or ammonia, in a gaseous environment.

Title: Method and apparatus for wide area surveillance of a terrorist or personal threatPatent number: US2008169921Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: Gentag Inc.

Abstract

The present invention is related to a means for detecting external threats by the use of methods and apparatuses for the wide area detection of chemical, radiological, or biological threats using modified personal wireless devices combined with new advanced micro and nanosensor technologies. A cost effective method is provided for wide area surveillance of a potential terrorist or personal threat. Personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs or watches, in combination with new microsensor technologies described herein, can be used as a new type of platform detection technology for wide area surveillance of major threats. A “Homeland Security” chip is further provided which combines the elements of geo-location, remote wireless communication, and sensing into a single chip. The personal electronic devices can be further equipped for detecting various medically related threats. Similarly modified personal devices can be used to detect external threats that are person-specific.

Title: Improved carbon dioxide nanosensor, and respiratory CO₂ monitorsPatent number: EP1941270Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventor: Nanomix Inc.

Abstract

An electronic system and method for detecting analytes, such as carbon dioxide, is provided, using an improved nanostructure sensor (CO₂ sensor). The CO₂ sensor may comprise a substrate and a nanostructure, such as a one or more carbon nanotubes disposed over the substrate (e.g. as a network). One or more conductive elements may electrically communicate with the nanostructure. A counter or gate electrode may be positioned adjacent the nanostructure. A functionalization material reactive with carbon dioxide may be included, either disposed in contact with the nanostructure or isolated by a dielectric. The sensor may be connected to a circuit responsive to changes in CO₂ concentration in the environment. Embodiments are described of medical sensing systems including one or more CO₂ sensors. One embodiment comprises a breath sampling cannula which is connected to a sensor unit. In an alternative, the cannula permits supplemental oxygen to be administered, while recovering and measuring analytes in breath samples. The cannula may connect to a portable processor-display unit for monitoring one or more analytes, such as CO₂. Another embodiment includes a cannula configured for the monitoring of sleep disorders, such as apnea, comprising one or more sensors disposed adjacent a breath sampling channel, optionally including flow rate or other sensors. The sensors may be connected by wired or wireless links for to a processor/input/display unit. Any of the embodiments may include filters, selectively permeable membranes, absorbents, and the like to precondition the breath sample, may be configured to include complementary chemistry measurements.

Title: Autonomous evanescent optical nanosensorPatent number: CN101171504Publication date: April 30, 2008Applicant: Hewlett Packard Development Co.

Abstract

A sensor includes traps that are adjacent to a waveguide and capable of holding a contaminant for an interaction with an evanescent field surrounding the waveguide. When held in a trap, a particle of the contaminant, which may be an atom, a molecule, a virus, or a microbe, scatters light from the waveguide, and the scattered light can be measured to detect the presence or concentration of the contaminant. Holding of the particles permits sensing of the contaminant in a gas where movement of the particles might otherwise be too fast to permit measurement of the interaction with the evanescent field. The waveguide, a lighting system for the waveguide, a photosensor, and a communications interface can all be fabricated on a semiconductor die to permit fabrication of an autonomous nanosensor capable of suspension in the air or a gas being sensed.

Title: Method of directly-growing three-dimensional nano-net-structuresPatent number: US2009092756Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventor: Xu Ningsheng; Zhou Jun; Deng Shaozhi; Gong Li; Chen Jun; She Juncong

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for direct synthesis of 3D nano-net-structures. The method is also named thermal evaporation method, which uses metal powders as the raw materials and silicon wafer, aluminum oxide plates, or other high-temperature-resistant materials as substrates. The 3D nano-net-structures of single crystal metal oxides are produced on a substrate by heating the metal powders to certain temperature and then keeping for a period of time under the atmosphere of inert gas. The process of the method is simple and direct, and the cost of the raw material is low. The prepared three-dimensional nano-net-structures will have great application prospects in vacuum microelectronic device and gas sensor device.

Title: NO_x gas sensor for automotive exhaust and air pollution monitoringPatent number: US2008169190Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: Honeywell Int. Inc.

Abstract

A NO_x gas sensor for measuring NO, NO2 and NO_x gas content from automotive exhaust including a method for producing such a gas sensor. The NO_x gas sensor generally includes a substrate, and a plurality of electrodes preformed and located on one side of the substrate. A platinum heater is located the other and opposite side of the substrate. A coating of nano-crystalline powders of a semi-conducting oxide material can be located and configured on the plurality of electrodes preformed on the substrate, thereby forming a gas sensor for the detection of NO_x. The substrate may be composed of a ceramic material, glass, alumina and/or another type of high-melting material. The electrodes, along with the heater are preferably composed of platinum. The semi-conducting oxide material preferably comprises YMnO₃ or doped YMnO₃.