# US 2017/0284899 A1 · Agglomeration and charge loss sensor with seed structure for measuring particulate matter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284899 A1 - Document ID: US20170284899A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/402,035 - Filed: 2017-01-09 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-26 - Assignees: EmiSense Technologies, LLC - Applicants: EmiSense Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Klaus Allmendinger; Joe Fitzpatrick; Brett Henderson; Anthoniraj Lourdhusamy; Lee Sorensen; James Steppan; Gangquiang Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284899A1 ## CPC - G01N 33/0027: {concerning the detector} - C23C 30/00: Coating with metallic material characterised only by the composition of the metallic material, i.e. not characterised by the coating process (C23C26/00, C23C28/00 take precedence) - G01M 15/102: {by monitoring exhaust gases} - G01N 15/0656: {using electric, e.g. electrostatic methods or magnetic methods (by investigating individual particles G01N15/1031, G01N15/12)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - C23C: COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL (making metal-coated products by extrusion B21C23/22; covering with metal by connecting pre-existing layers to articles, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D39/00, B23K; metallising of glass C03C; metallising mortars, concrete, artificial stone, ceramics or natural stone C04B41/00; enamelling of, or applying a vitreous layer to, metals C23D; treating metal surfaces or coating of metals by electrolysis or electrophoresis C25D; single-crystal film growth C30B; by metallising textiles D06M11/83; decorating textiles by locally metallising D06Q1/04) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor comprising: an electrode for measuring current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode; and a seed structure deposited on the electrode, wherein the seed structure comprises a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to the particulate matter during operation of the sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the seed structure comprises dendric rhenium disposed on the surface of the electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the seed structure comprises nano-wires disposed on the surface of the electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote local charge concentration at tips of the elongated members to enhance a strength of a local electrical field. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote an attraction of the particulate matter to tips of the elongated members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor. ### Claim 8 A method for making a sensor, the method comprising: providing an electrode for measuring current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode; and depositing a seed structure on the electrode, wherein the seed structure comprises a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to the particulate matter particles and/or agglomerates during operation of the sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the seed structure comprises dendric rhenium disposed on the surface of the electrode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the seed structure comprises nano-wires disposed on the surface of the electrode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote local charge concentration at tips of the elongated members to enhance a strength of a local electrical field. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote an attraction of the particulate matter to tips of the elongated members. ### Claim 13 A method for using a sensor, the method comprising: passing exhaust by an electrode having a seed structure deposited thereon, wherein the seed structure comprises a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode, wherein the elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to the particulate matter during operation of the sensor. measuring current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode; and correlating the measured current to a quantity of the particulate matter in the exhaust. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the seed structure comprises dendric rhenium disposed on the surface of the electrode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the seed structure comprises nano-wires disposed on the surface of the electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the elongated members promote local charge concentration at tips of the elongated members to enhance a strength of a local electrical field. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the elongated members promote an attraction of the particulate matter to tips of the elongated members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein measuring the current further comprises measuring a change due to the charge transfer from the electrode to particles of the particulate matter via the seed structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein measuring the current further comprises measuring a change due to the charge transfer from the electrode to an agglomerate of the particulate matter via the seed structure.