Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.

An electronic device includes a base, a multi-stage sensor, a top cover, and a side cover. The multi-stage sensor is configured to sense a sensed area. The top cover includes a top-sensed element, and the top cover is detachably connected to a top side of the base, so that the top-sensed element can be selectively in or not in the sensed area. The side cover includes a side-sensed element, and the side cover is detachably adjacent to a front side of the base, so that the side-sensed element can be selectively in or not in the sensed area. In response to that only the top-sensed element is in the sensed area, the multi-stage sensor outputs a first signal. In response to that neither the top-sensed element nor the side-sensed element is in the sensed area, the multi-stage sensor outputs a second signal.

A closure device for a measuring chamber of an electrochemical sensor, a measuring chamber comprising such a closure device, and an electrochemical sensor comprising such a measuring chamber.

A closure device for a measuring chamber of an electrochemical sensor, a measuring chamber comprising such a closure device, and an electrochemical sensor comprising such a measuring chamber.

A nanostructure device is provided and performs dual functions as a nano-switching/sensing device. The nanostructure device includes a doped semiconducting substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the doped semiconducting substrate, an electrode formed on the insulating layer, and at least one polymer nanofiber deposited on the electrode. The at least one polymer nanofiber provides an electrical connection between the electrode and the substrate and is the electroactive element in the device.

A hydrogen sensor can include a substrate, an Ohmic metal disposed on the substrate, a nitride layer disposed on the substrate and having a first window exposing the substrate, a Schottky metal placed in the first window and disposed on the substrate, a final metal disposed on the nitride layer and the Schottky metal and having a second window exposing the Schottky metal, and a polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) layer encapsulating the second window. The PMMA layer can fill the second window and be in contact with the Schottky metal.

A gas sensor includes a first substrate, at least one first electrode, a sensing structure, at least one second electrode, and a second substrate. The at least one first electrode is located on the first substrate. The sensing structure is located on the at least one first electrode and the first substrate, and the sensing structure includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer having a first conductive type covers the first substrate and the at least one first electrode; the second semiconductor layer having a second conductive type is located on the first semiconductor layer. The at least one second electrode covers the sensing structure. The second substrate covers the at least one second electrode and the sensing structure.

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.

An ion sensor for sensing ions in a fluid includes a Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) varactor formed in and on a semiconductor substrate having a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate, a gate over the gate dielectric, a well region in the substrate under the gate dielectric, and source/drain regions in the well region, wherein the well region and the source/drain regions are of a same conductivity type; and a sense electrode coupled to the MOS varactor, wherein the capacitance of the gate dielectric of the varactor changes when the sense electrode interacts with ions in the fluid. Alternatively, resistance of the well region changes when the sense electrode interacts with ions in the fluid, affecting a change in a quality factor of an inductor.

Miniature resistive gas detectors incorporate thin films that can selectively identify specific gases when heated to certain characteristic temperatures. A solid state gas sensor module is disclosed that includes a gas sensor, a heater, and a temperature sensor, stacked over an insulating recess. The insulating recess is partially filled with a support material that provides structural integrity. The solid state gas sensor module can be integrated on top of an ASIC on a common substrate. With sufficient thermal insulation, such a gas detector can be provided as a low-power component of mobile electronic devices such as smart phones. A method of operating a multi-sensor array allows detection of relative concentrations of different gas species by either using dedicated sensors, or by thermally tuning the sensors to monitor different gas species.