# US 2024/0201086 A1 · Polymer-Supported Infrared Sensing Apparatus and Method

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- Number: US 2024/0201086 A1
- Document ID: US20240201086A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/542,047
- Filed: 2023-12-15
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-12-16
- Applicants: Environmental Material Science Inc.
- Inventors: Steven SICILIANO; Bipinlal UNNI; Callum DOOLIN; Curtis SENGER; Ian BURGESS
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240201086A1

## CPC

- G01N 21/554: {detecting the surface plasmon resonance of nanostructured metals, e.g. localised surface plasmon resonance}
- G01N 21/7703: {using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides (using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B)}
- 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)

## Abstract

A sensor apparatus includes a waveguide, a sensing layer, a light source for emitting light onto the waveguide, and a detector for detecting a wavelength transmitted from the waveguide. The sensing layer may include a polymer layer which may come into intimate contact with a sample matrix of the environment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor apparatus, comprising:
a waveguide;
a sensing layer coupled to the waveguide;
a light source for emitting light onto the waveguide; and
a detector for detecting a wavelength transmitted from the waveguide.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing layer includes a polymer layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing layer includes a metal layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing layer includes a metal layer and a polymer layer, the metal layer being between the waveguide and the polymer layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A method of manufacturing the apparatus of claim 3, comprising sputtering a gold film on the waveguide.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

A method of manufacturing the apparatus of claim 4, comprising sputtering a gold film on the waveguide.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an objective between the light source and the waveguide.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second objective between the waveguide and the detector.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a casing to act as a housing of the apparatus, the casing having a hollow body with an opening to permit the sensing layer to come into contact with the environment.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the light source is disposed proximate a first end of the casing and proximate a first side of the casing;
the detector is disposed proximate a second end of the casing and the first side of the casing; and
the waveguide is disposed between the first end and the second end proximate a second side of the casing, such that the light source and the detector are each angled toward the second side and thereby toward waveguide.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the light source, the waveguide, and the detector are arranged coaxially, the waveguide being between the light source and the detector; and
the sensing layer is disposed radially about the waveguide.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing layer includes polydimethylsiloxane.

### Claim 13

A sensor apparatus, comprising:
a casing having a tubular body with a lengthwise opening;
a waveguide having an incidence point and a transmission point;
a sensing layer coupled to the waveguide, the sensing layer including a metal layer and a polymer layer, the metal layer being between the waveguide and the polymer lay;
a light source positioned to emit light into the waveguide via the incidence point;
a detector positioned to detect light from the waveguide via the transmission point;
an objective between the light source and the incidence point, for focusing light from the light source onto the incidence point; and
a second objective between the transmission point and the detector for focusing light from the transmission point onto the detector.

### Claim 14

A method for sensing a condition of a matrix of the environment, comprising:
emitting light of a first frequency onto a waveguide of a sensor, the waveguide being coupled to a sensing layer, the sensing layer being in intimate contact with the matrix, the sensing layer including a polymer layer and a metal layer; and
detecting a second frequency transmitted from the waveguide.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising:
interpreting the second frequency by comparing the second frequency with a previously obtained frequency detected from a control matrix.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14. further comprising:
monitoring the second frequency and communicating an alert to a user if a triggering event occurs.