OPTICAL SENSOR

• US 20100003764A1
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Original Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Inventors: Kanter, Daniel, M Ayyadurai, Subasri, Berstein, Jonathan A., Angelopoulos, Anastasios
• Application Number:
  US12/497,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20100003764A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/169
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/757 using immobilised reagents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/775 Indicator and selective membrane
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/22 using chemical indicators G01N31/02 takes precedence

Abstract

An optical sensor for monitoring an environmental condition, the optical sensor comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane comprising a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component, wherein exposure of the optical sensor to a specific environmental condition produces a color shift on the optical sensor.

Claims

1. An optical sensor for monitoring an environmental condition, the optical sensor comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane comprising a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component, wherein exposure of the optical sensor to a specific environmental condition produces a color shift on the optical sensor.

2. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the solution comprises an aromatic-diamine.

3. The optical sensor according to claim 2, wherein the aromatic-diamine comprises 3,4-diaminobenzophenone.

4. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the solution comprises an azo-based dye.

5. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the solution comprises benzene-1,3-diol.

6. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of diacetyl.

7. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of vinyl acetate.

8. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of 2,3-pentanedione.

9. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of trimellitic anhydride.

10. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of phthalic anhydride.

11. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of maleic anhydride.

12. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of ionic platinum.

13. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises presence of glucose.

14. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the specific environmental condition comprises pH level in breath condensate.

15. A method of monitoring an environmental condition with an optical sensor comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane comprising a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component, the method comprising the steps of:

exposing the optical sensor in an environment; and

examining the optical sensor for color shift associated with a specific environmental condition.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the examining comprises visually inspecting the optical sensor.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the examining comprises analyzing the optical sensor using portable or remote spectroscopic analysis.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring occurs continuously at ambient conditions.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising emitting an alarm when the optical sensor indicates a specific environmental condition.

20. A method of manufacturing an optical sensor for monitoring an environmental condition, the method comprising the steps of:

preparing a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component;

immersing a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane in the solution; and

removing the membrane from the solution after it has absorbed the solution.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein preparing comprises dissolving an aromatic-diamine in alcohol.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the aromatic-diamine comprises 3,4-diaminobenzophenone.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein preparing comprises dissolving an azo-based dye in alcohol.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein preparing comprises dissolving benzene-1,3-diol in alcohol.