SBIR Phase I: Hand-Held Environmental Monitors for Initial Site Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds

*9760633 Thomas这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种手持环境监测器，该监测器采用化学抗蚀剂的四组分微传感器阵列，用于挥发性有机化合物(VOC)的初始现场表征。这种固态设备旨在生成来自燃料、清洁溶剂和芳香烃的关键分析物和混合物的特征响应模式。通过使用与环境监测器集成的模式识别算法分析微传感器阵列产生的唯一响应来识别和量化VOCs。例如，分散在聚合物薄膜中的导电颗粒通过测量这些材料在膨胀时发生的电阻变化，为检测有机蒸气的痕量浓度提供了基础。以前的研究已经证明，使用用这些类型的材料制造的化学电阻阵列，可以正确地识别和量化VOCs的模型组。该技术具有以下优点：(1)可集成到小型、廉价的系统中，(2)检测VOCs的高灵敏度和可靠性，(3)低功耗，以及(4)抗冲击和振动。该项目的成功完成将通过开发一种低成本系统来可靠地识别和量化挥发性有机化合物的存在，从而对气体微型传感器在环境应用方面的使用产生重大影响。拟议的手持式分析仪器采用了化学电阻的微传感器阵列，为监测燃料、清洁剂和芳香烃中的气相分析物和混合物的存在提供了基础。这些低成本系统专为环境应用而设计，以可靠地检测潜在危险的环境。***

*** 9760633 Thomas This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a hand-held environmental Monitor, which employs a four-component microsensor array of chemiresitors, for initial Site characterization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This solid-state device is designed to generate characteristic response patterns that arise from key analytes and mixtures from fuels, cleaning solvents, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The VOCs are identified and quantified by analyzing the unique response produced by the microsensor array using a pattern recognition algorithm integrated with the environmental monitor. For example, conducting particles dispersed within polymer films provide a basis to detect trace concentrations of organic vapors by measuring resistance changes that occur to these materials as they swell. Previous research studies have demonstrated that it is possible to correctly identify and quantify a model group of VOCs using chemiresistor arrays manufactured with these types of materials. This technology has the following advantages: (1) integratable into small, inexpensive systems, (2) high sensitivity and reliability to detect VOCs, (3) low power requirements, and (4) immunity to shock and vibration. Successful completion of this project will significantly impact the use of gas microsensors for environmental applications by developing a low-cost system to reliably identify and quantify the presence of VOCs. The proposed hand-held analytical instrument, which employs a microsensor array of chemiresistors, provides a basis to monitor the presence of gas-phase analytes and mixtures from fuels, cleaning solvents, and aromatic hydrocarbons. These low-cost systems are designed for environmental applications to reliably detect potentially hazardous environments. ***