Method and apparatus for enhancing detection characteristics of a chemical sensor system
First Claim
1. A method for improving detection characteristics of a chemical sensor array that has been previously exposed to an agent in order to detect and categorize the agent, the method comprising:
- applying ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength to the chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to return a resistance, conductance and/or capacitance of the chemical sensor array back to its original value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for increasing detection characteristics of a chemical sensor array that has been previously exposed to an agent in order to detect and categorize the agent. Ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength is applied to the chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to increase a resistance of the chemical sensor array. Alternatively or together with the ultraviolet light, a bias voltage is applied to at least one biasing electrode making up the chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to increase the resistance of the chemical sensor array. The chemical sensor array may be a carbon nanotube sensor array.
23 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for improving detection characteristics of a chemical sensor array that has been previously exposed to an agent in order to detect and categorize the agent, the method comprising:
applying ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength to the chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to return a resistance, conductance and/or capacitance of the chemical sensor array back to its original value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for improving detection characteristics of a chemical sensor array that has been previously exposed to an agent in order to detect and categorize the agent, wherein the chemical sensor array includes at least one biasing electrode, the method further comprising the step of:
applying a bias voltage to the at least one biasing electrode, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to return a resistance, conductance and/or capacitance of the chemical sensor array back to its original value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for improving detection characteristics of a chemical sensor array that has been previously exposed to an agent in order to detect and categorize the agent, the apparatus comprising:
an ultraviolet light emitting unit that emits ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength to the chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to return a resistance, conductance and/or capacitance of the chemical sensor array back to its original value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer readable medium embodying computer program product for improving sensor response characteristics, the computer program product, when executed by a computer or a microprocessor, causing the computer or the microprocessor to perform the steps of:
providing control signals to a light applying unit so as to apply ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength to a chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to return a resistance, conductance and/or capacitance of the chemical sensor array back to its original value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
- 21. A computer readable medium embodying computer program product for improving sensor response characteristics, the computer program product, when executed by a computer or a microprocessor, causing the computer or the microprocessor to perform the steps of applying a bias voltage to at least one biasing electrode of a chemical sensor array, in order to desorb the agent from the chemical sensor array, so as to return a resistance, conductance and/or capacitance of the chemical sensor array back to its original value.
Specification