The present invention generally relates to bimetal-doped, metal oxide-based sensors and platforms and integrated chemical sensors incorporating the same, methods of making the same, and methods of using the same.

The disclosed pre-concentrator comprises: a base substrate having a trench; a metal layer conformally disposed along the inner surface of the trench; and a three-dimensional porous nanostructure disposed on the metal layer in the trench and having aligned pores connected to each other in three dimensions. The pre-concentrator can improve the concentration performance of a sample and the thermal desorption efficiency of a concentrated sample.

Systems and methods are provided for tracking all chemicals, including odors, a package is exposed to throughout the shipping process. A device is attached to the package or placed within the package to extract the chemicals that are in the surrounding environment to the device. The device can extract and concentrate volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile chemicals that the device and the corresponding package are exposed to throughout the shipping process. The extracted chemicals may then be desorbed from the device and analyzed by an analytical instrumentation method.

A molecular detection apparatus according to a embodiment includes: a collection unit which collects detection target gases each containing molecule to be detected; a concentration adjusting unit which dilutes and/or concentrates the molecule, and generates a plurality of detection target gases having different concentrations of the molecule; a detection unit to which the plurality of detection target gases are sequentially introduced, and which includes a plurality of detection cells each outputting detection signals based on the concentrations of the molecule in the plurality of detection target gases; and a discrimination unit which discriminates the molecule by change tendencies of the detection signals based on the concentrations of the molecule.

The system and method for a multi-element, ultra-low SWaP chemical concentrator incorporating Applicant's own open cell foamed adsorbent material which allows high volume sampling (e.g., liters per minute) to achieve low detection limits (ppt) using high-volume, low-pressure air sources (i.e. fans or blowers) rather than pumps. The device delivers the sample directly to an analyzer without the need for a typical intermediate cryogenic trapping step. In one example, a rotary style concentrator comprises four individual foam elements. Each element can be individually heated to desorb analytes.

Disclosed herein is a method of providing a structure having two electrodes connected by nanowires, exposing the structure to an analyte that can adsorb onto the nanowires, and passing an electrical current through the nanowires to heat the nanowires to desorb the analyte. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus having the above structure; a current source electrically connected to the electrodes, and a detector to detect the analyte.

A chemical substance concentrator includes a flow passage that allows a gaseous sample containing a chemical substance to flow through the flow passage, a first electrode disposed on a first inner wall of the flow passage, a second electrode being disposed on the first inner wall and apart from the first electrode, and a conductive adsorbent contacting the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first inner wall.

A method and apparatus for detecting mercury in air includes passing a substantial quantity of air through a concentrator column containing gold film whereby a gold-mercury amalgam is formed, purging the concentrator column with nitrogen gas for a predefined period of time to remove oxygen and other organics from the concentrator column, quickly heating the concentrator column to a substantial temperature to decompose the gold-mercury amalgam forming mercury gas, and injecting the mercury gas into a photoionization detector system. The apparatus includes a quartz housing having a quartz body defining an internal volume, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a heater end, and a concentrator element sealingly disposed within the quartz housing, the concentrator element having a first element portion and a second element portion, a film of gold deposited on at least a first element portion disposed in the quartz body.

A chemical substance concentrator is configured to concentrate a chemical substance in a gaseous object. The chemical substance concentrator includes a channel in which a gaseous object flows, an adsorbent being conductive and configured to adsorb the chemical substance, and a pair of electrodes configured to cause a current to flow in the adsorbent.

The disclosure pertains to a microstructure for adsorbing/desorbing at least one gas component of a gas supplied to the microstructure. The microstructure includes a semiconductor substrate having a bottom and a top. The microstructure also includes a plurality of micro-channels, extending from the bottom to the top of the semiconductor substrate. A top surface of micro-channel is configured to adsorb and/or desorb the at least one gas component when the gas is passed through the micro-channels.