Nanofiber sensor microheater
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorChristopher S. Adams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte includes a detector and a microheater. The detector includes an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte. The microheater is coupled to the detector and includes a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers.
Claims20
A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte, the sensor assembly comprising:
- a detector including an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte;
- and
- a microheater coupled to the detector, the microheater including a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers.
A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte, the sensor assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity level within the housing;
- a detector including an electrode layer including electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte;
- a microheater coupled to the detector, the microheater including a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers;
- and
- a control circuit in operable communication with the humidity sensor, the control circuit configured to:
- receive the detected humidity level;
- and
- energize the microheater based on the detected humidity level.
A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte, the sensor assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a detector including an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte;
- and
- a microheater coupled to the detector, the microheater including a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature at or below 150° C. that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.