The present invention concerns an assay, a method and a device for detecting the presence of an odorous compound on a surface comprising enclosing the surface in a compartment, which compartment comprises an odor capturing agent including a visual indicating agent, wherein the surface comprises an odorous compound derived from biofilm.

A thin film gas sensor device includes a substrate, a first pillar, a second pillar, a nanostructured thin film layer, and a first and a second electrical contact. The first and second pillars are supported by the substrate. The nanostructured thin film layer is formed with a semi-conductor material including holes. The semiconductor material is configured to undergo a reduction in a density of the holes in the presence of a target gas, thereby increasing an electrical resistance of the nanostructured thin film layer. The first and the second electrical contacts are operably connected to the nanostructured thin film layer, such that the increase in electrical resistance can be detected.

A hybrid device comprising Metal Oxide Sensors in a Gas Chromatography column is described, whereby the readings from the MOS devices will vary along the column in reaction to the sample reflecting the differential delays imposed on the components of the sample depending on the elutive effect of the adsorbent lining the column for the respective component. By this means, a family of readings is obtained, any one of which may be easier to interpret for a particular sample, and which may be compared amongst themselves providing an additional measurement dimension. The behaviour of later sections of column or sensors may be modified dynamically during a measurement cycle depending on the readings obtained at the earlier stages.

Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.

Systems and methods for the detection of one or more target molecules, such as benzene, are described. The systems and methods may include a molecularly imprinted polymer film; a sensing material, wherein the molecularly imprinted polymer film comprises a polymer host with one or more binding sites for one or more target molecules. The molecularly imprinted polymer film may be coated upon the sensing material.

A molecular detection apparatus includes a detector. The detector includes: a vibrator having a piezoelectric member that has a first surface and a second surface, a first electrode connected to the first surface, a second electrode connected to the second surface, and a third electrode connected to the second surface and disconnected from the second electrode; a sensitive film overlapping at least one part of the second electrode and at least one part of the third electrode and configured to change a vibration frequency of the vibrator in response to an interaction with target molecules; and a detection electrode to detect the changed vibration frequency.

A system for detecting mold includes a housing defining a chamber and an opening through a surface. The system includes a movable grate for selectively covering the opening. The system includes a substrate treated to promote mold growth. The system includes a mechanism for moving the substrate to move previously unexposed portions into the chamber. The system includes a thermal control system to maintain predetermined environmental conditions in the chamber. The system includes a sensor configured to detect mold growth in the chamber. The system includes a mold suppressor to kill mold in the chamber when activated. The system includes a controller to coordinate operation of the components to detect mold growth in an environment.

A method of detecting gas includes determining and storing, by a controller, a zero level of a photoionization detector using ambient air inflow when an ultraviolet lamp is in a turned OFF state, wherein the stored zero level is based on an ambient temperature; sampling, by the controller, an output of a detector electrode of the photoionization detector when the ultraviolet lamp is in a turned ON state; and comparing the sampled output of the detector electrode to the stored zero level to determine if a threshold concentration of a gas is present.

A sensor element and sensor comprising the sensing element. The sensor includes, in order, an absorptive layer, a metallic layer and an optically transparent, dielectric substrate. The absorptive layer has a polymer of intrinsic microporosity having an average pore volume of at least 0.1 nm.sup.3. The metallic layer has a plurality of openings each extending from the first to the second major surface of the metallic layer, the openings having a pitch in a range from 50 nm to 5000 nm, wherein the openings have an opening size in a range from 5% to 95% percent of the pitch.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus, systems, and methods for detection and differentiation of selected hydrocarbon gases in a target gas composition. The apparatus comprises a sensing unit; a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion for receiving a linear actuator, the linear actuator operatively coupleable to the sensing unit proximal to the inlet, and the second housing portion for receiving at least a portion of the inlet end of the sensing unit and comprising at least one chamber and a closure member housed within the second housing portion and adjacent the inlet, the closure member actuatable between a closed state and an open state by the linear actuator; wherein the at least one chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet when the closure member is in the open state.