# US 8,201,992 B2 · Sensor device and method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of gas phase substances

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- Number: US 8,201,992 B2
- Document ID: US8201992B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/935,928
- Filed: 2007-11-06
- Published: 2008-05-01
- Granted: 2012-06-19
- Earliest claimed: 2001-07-06
- Assignees: Sensor Tech, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael L. Horovitz; Karl F. Anderson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8201992B2

## CPC

- G01N 27/123: {for controlling the temperature (temperature control per se G05D23/00)}
- G01N 27/16: caused by burning or catalytic oxidation of surrounding material to be tested, e.g. of gas
- G01N 27/3271: {Amperometric enzyme electrodes for analytes in body fluids, e.g. glucose in blood (amperometry per se G01N27/49; aspects concerning the enzyme reagent C12Q1/001)}
- G01N 33/497: of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
- Y10T 29/49: Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making
- Y10T 436/11: Automated chemical analysis
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

New sensors and methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple gaseous substances simultaneously with both high selectivity and high sensitivity are provided. The new sensors rely on a characteristic difference in energy between the interaction of a particular substance with a catalyst coated heat transfer device (HTD) and a non-catalyst coated (or one coated with a different catalyst) reference HTD. Molecular detection is achieved by an exothermic or endothermic chemical or physical reaction between the catalytic surface of the sensor and the molecule, tending to induce a temperature change of the sensor. Both high temperature and non-destructive low temperature detection are possible. The magnitude and rate of endothermic or exothermic heat transfer from a specific molecule-catalyst interaction is related to molecular concentration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor for detecting gas phase substances, comprising:
a sensing element in contact with the gas phase substances, comprising:
a first resistance temperature detector which functions as a temperature detector and a variable resistance heater, and
a first catalyst in thermal contact with the first resistance temperature detector, wherein the first catalyst interacts with the gas phase substances;
a reference element in contact with the gas phase substances, comprising:
a second resistance temperature detector which functions as a temperature detector and a variable resistance heater, and
a second catalyst in thermal contact with the second resistance temperature detector, wherein the second catalyst interacts with the gas phase substances;
a thermal barrier separating the sensing element from the reference element; and
a heat flow monitor connected to both the sensing and reference elements for measuring any change in heat flow for the sensing element relative to the reference element by monitoring the change in electric power needed to maintain the first resistance temperature detector at a desired temperature relative to the second resistance temperature detector.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the interaction between the first and second catalyst and the gas phase substances comprises one of endothermic and exothermic heat flow from the first and second catalyst to the first resistance temperature detector.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the first catalyst comprises a first catalyst face of a catalyst crystal and the second catalyst comprises a second catalyst face of the catalyst crystal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The sensor of claim 3, wherein the catalyst crystal is an oxide catalyst.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The sensor of claim 4, wherein the oxide catalyst is selected from a metal oxide, boride, carbide, silicide, nitride, phosphide, arsenide, sulfide, selenide, telluride, fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide; a non-metal oxide, boride, carbide, suicide, nitride, phosphide, arsenide, sulfide, selenide, telluride, fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide; a metal; an alloy, a substance in which more than one metal or more than one nonmetal are combined with an element; a substance in which a metal or a non-metal are combined with more than one other element; or a combination thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat flow monitor comprises an Anderson Loop measurement circuit topology.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat flow monitor comprises a Wheatstone bridge measurement circuit topology.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat flow monitor comprises a Kelvin circuit topology.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second temperature detectors comprise a material selected from nickel, platinum, or tungsten.