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Overview
A Nanofiber-based chemiresistor detection technology :
Vaporsens is developing a novel, portable gas and vapor sampling device capable of
detecting trace amounts of chemicals with greater sensitivity, accuracy, and speed
than has been heretofore possible in such a small package. In short, it is an
electronic nose.
Electronic noses have previously been researched and even commercialized, however,
they have been limited by sensor lifetime, lack of sensitivity, and selectivity (when
using conducting polymers), or by humidity, environmental effects, and selectivity
(when using Nanotubes and Metal Oxide Nanowires). Vaporsens overcomes these
limitations with its organic nanofiber technology.
Platform Benefits
Small Size: Current desktop prototype is about the size of a matchbox and it can be
shrunk further
Highly Sensitive: For trace amounts from the parts per million to parts per trillion
range
Selective: Selective towards multiple chemicals as demonstrated in 30 publications
Rapid Response: Sensors respond immediately
Sample input: Ambient air, headspace, or process line
Replaceable Sensor: The sensor can be easily replaced as needed. Depending on the
application the sensor may need replacement every 1-12 months
Low Power Requirements
No Radioactive Materials
A response signature or
finger print for each
compound is shown. A
response signature results
from the combination of the
responses of the 8 fibers. The
data shown is preprocessed
for better classification. Each
nanofiber sensor was
exposed for 200 seconds. (FN
is Fiber Number)
Chemicals detected
Explosives
Nitros
Peroxides
Tested to Date
Nitromethane
DNT (Dinitrotoluene)
TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate
Fuel Oil)
Ammonium Nitrate
PETN (may detect taggant)
RDX (may detect taggant)
TATP (Triacetone
Triperoxide)
H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide)
VOCs Volatile
Organic
Compounds
Benzaldehyde
Hexane
Acetone
Ethanol
Diesel Fuel
Nitrobenzene
Formaldehyde
Food Safety
TCA (Trichloroanisole)
*Melamine
*Trimethylamine
CWAs - Chemical
Warfare Agents
Phosphates
Sulfides
Phosgene
Tested to Date:
TEP (Triethylphosphate)
DMMP (Dimethyl
methylphosphonate) ) (Sarin
Analog)
2-Chloroethyl ethyl sulfide
(Mustard Gas)
Triphosgene
Methyl Salicylate
Potential Applications
Potential Applications: Trace Detector for Explosives, Chem Agents, Toxic Chemicals, Food Safety, Taints in Food and beverage,
Gas Leaks, Pharmaceutical safety.
Quality Assurance
Laboratory device with greater
sensitivity to vapors than current
equipment.
Wearable Monitor
Fixed Monitor
For more robust, long-term monitors,
stationary monitors with an external
power source can be developed.
MOS
CP
QCM
SAW
Nanofiber
Operating Temp C
300-400
Ambient
Ambient
Ambient
Ambient
Sensitivity
>0.1ppm
0.01ppm
>0.1ppm
ppb
ppt
Selectivity
Poor
Moderate
High
High
High
Reproducibility
Poor
Good
Moderate
Moderate
Good
Temperature Drift
Low
High
Moderate
High
Low
Humidity Drift
Low
High
Low
Low
Low
0.5-5
20-50
20-50
20-50
5-60
Recovery time
Fast
Slow
Slow
Slow
Fast
Lifetime (years)
3 to 5
1 to 2
<2
<2
Conducting polymer (CP), metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and surface acoustic wave (SAW)
Sensitivity
Polymer Film
AFP
Nanofiber
PID
IMS
Portable GC/MS
Selectivity
Portability
Nanofiber
PID
Polymer Film
AFP
IMS
Portable GC/MS
Cost Effectiveness
(A) SEM image of nanofibers coated on glass. (B) Nanofibers suspended in ethanol. (C) Interdigitated electrode. (D) Fibers coated onto
interdigitated electrode and wire bonded onto sensor board array. (E) Sensor board array plugs into electronic base.
Background
The sensor technology originated from research funded by previous Homeland Security and National Science Foundation grants in
support of Dr. Ling Zangs work on sensory nanomaterials at the University of Utah, which has generated over 30 peer-reviewed
publications and 10 patents.
Vaporsens was incorporated in 2011 to commercialize this sensor technology and has received external seed funding from private
investors. In 2013, DOD-DTRA awarded Vaporsens $1.4M (via subcontract) to develop the sensory materials into remotely networked
chemical vapor sensors. In 2014, the NSF awarded Vaporsens a Phase II SBIR to develop a handheld explosives vapor detector.
Vaporsens now has 6 full-time employees and 2 part time. Key personnel include:
Ben Rollins, Project Manager: Entrepreneur and project manager now
leading his second technology transfer startup.
Dr. Yin Sun, PI: Analytical chemist with over 16 years in the trace
detection and instrumentation industry. Authored two books on trace
detection. Led developments at Smiths Detection and Spectrafluidcs.
Dr. Ling Zang, CSO and Advisor: Research on sensory nanomaterials
has resulted in over 30 peer-reviewed publications and 10 patents.
Status
IP Type Number
Perylene Nanofiber Fluorescent Sensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Sensing
Issued
of Amines
Issued
Issued
Issued
Published
Publication number
WO2013066458 A3
Published
Selected Publications
Diffusion-Controlled Detection of Trinitrotoluene: Interior Nanoporous Structure and Low Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital Level
of Building Blocks Enhance Selectivity and Sensitivity, Che et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 2012 134 (10), 4978-4982,
DOI: 10.1021/ja300306e
Organic Optoelectronic Materials for Trace Explosive Sensing, Zhan et al.
Ambient photodoping of p-type organic nanofibers: highly efficient photoswitching and electrical vapor sensing of amines, Che et
al., Chem. Commun., 2010,46, 4127-4129, DOI: 10.1039/C0CC00823K
Ultrathin n-Type Organic Nanoribbons with High Photoconductivity and Application in Optoelectronic Vapor Sensing of Explosives,
Che et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 2010 132 (16), 5743-5750, DOI: 10.1021/ja909797q
One-Dimensional Self-Assembly of Planar -Conjugated Molecules: Adaptable Building Blocks for Organic Nanodevices, Zang et al.,
Accounts of Chemical Research 2008 41 (12), 1596-1608, DOI: 10.1021/ar800030w
Expedient Vapor Probing of Organic Amines Using Fluorescent Nanofibers Fabricated from an n-Type Organic Semiconductor, Che et
al., Nano Letters 2008 8 (8), 2219-2223 DOI: 10.1021/nl080761g
Sensor Characteristics
The following slides represent a few of the characteristics of the nanofiber sensor.
Sensitivity
Chemical
Class
Chemical Agent
Critical
Concentration
Negligible
Concentrations
Military Requires
Military Requires Detection
Detection within 180
within 30 Seconds
Seconds
Nerve
0.018
0.043
0.001
Blister
0.650
0.4900
0.0785
TIC
Ammonia (NH3)
0.016
2732.65
30.2
0.019
30.18
0.2
Phosgene
0.020
3.71
0.099
Chlorine
0.0003
51.65
0.52
0.021
9.06
0.68
Results from preliminary sensitivity testing of toxic chemicals and chemical warfare agents
simulants. Current prototype meets or exceeds military requirements.
Selectivity
Interferent DMMP/Acetone
0%
1%
(3ppth)
5%
(13ppth)
30%
(78ppth)
Measured
94%
98%
99%
94%
Corrected
99.8%
99.6%
99.7%
99.7%
Interferent DMMP/Hexane
0%
1%
5%
30%
Measured
94%
99%
99%
95%
Corrected
99.7%
99.9%
99.7%
99.9%
2 C
26 C
35 C
42 C
Measured
95%
97%
99%
94%
Corrected
99.5%
99.6%
99.9%
98.9%
10%
35%
50%
Measured
98%
98%
96%
Corrected
99.8%
99.7%
99.6%
(Corrected Data)