Development of Portable Sensor Array Systems for Monitoring Air Contaminants

The development of sensor arrays is critical to the achievement of chemical fingerprinting in an environment with complex chemical species. The objective of this research project is to develop portable sensor array systems with integrated modules for targeting air contaminants in military and civilian applications. In Phase I, the feasibility of interfacing nanostructured sensing materials as chemiresistor array to a circuit board and data acquisition software was demonstrated for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The modules feature plug-and-play array, handheld hardware and laptop-based data acquisition/analysis software. The Phase II work plans to pursue advanced development of these modules towards integration and prototyping for the targeted applications. The design parameters for the array, the hardware and the software will be optimized for integration into a portable sensor array system. The sensor array system will feature compact, low-power driven, and lightweight, and cost-effectiveness. The tasks to be accomplished by NSC Technology will lead a final product in the form of a portable sensor array system for detecting VOCs and other air contaminants. The technology will also find applications by military and commercial entities for air monitoring, leak detection, and other applications involving environmental effects on human health.