Agglomeration and charge loss sensor with seed structure for measuring particulate matter
AssigneeEmiSense Technologies, LLC
InventorsKlaus Allmendinger, Joe Fitzpatrick, Brett Henderson, Anthoniraj Lourdhusamy, Lee Sorensen, James Steppan, Gangquiang Wang
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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.
Claims16
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, wherein the seed structure comprises nano-wires disposed on the surface of the electrode.
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, wherein the seed structure comprises nano-wires disposed on the surface of the electrode.
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, wherein the seed structure comprises nano-wires disposed on the surface of the electrode;
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.