Modular chemiresistive sensor for real-time ethylene monitoring
Inventors
RAY, ANAMIKA • Tang, Yifan • Gomez, Tobin • Paul, Jeffrey • Mushfiq, Mohammad • Alam, Maksudul • Sampathkumaran, Uma
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12345680-B1
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for sensing the presence and concentration of ethylene in a gas stream includes an ethylene sensor, an ethylene scrubber, a CO2 scrubber, gas flow control valves, a pump, and electrical components to receive and analyze the electrical signals generated by the ethylene sensor as the ethylene concentration in the gas stream changes. The system, in a controlled manner, alternatively feeds quantities of the gas stream being analyzed to the ethylene sensor or through scrubber components of the system. The ethylene sensor comprises conductive polymeric nanofibers functionalized to detect the presence of ethylene and generate an electrical signal that changes as the ethylene concentration changes.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for receiving a gas stream from a gaseous environment for sensing the presence and concentration of ethylene in that gaseous environment. The system includes a chemical analysis section having an ethylene sensor, an ethylene scrubber, a CO2 scrubber, gas flow control valves and a pump to feed the ethylene-containing gaseous environment through the system. The chemical analysis section is configured to alternatively deliver quantities of the gas stream in a measurement cycle or a recovery cycle.
The ethylene sensor comprises a substrate with two electrodes separated by a gap of 0.5 to 4.0 μm and a nano-network of conductive polymer nanowires bridging the gap to provide an electrically conductive path between the electrodes. The nano-network exhibits defined electrical characteristics, and the nanowires are functionalized by application of chemical compounds sensitive to the presence of ethylene. The electrical characteristics of the functionalized nanofibers change in response to defined quantities of ethylene in the gas stream fed to the ethylene sensor.
The electronics section includes a power supply, a system control board and a measurement board, with the measurement board receiving electrical signals from the ethylene sensor. The system control and routing work together with alternating measurement and recovery cycles in which gas handling is switched between delivery to the sensor and delivery through the scrubbers. Recovery is associated with regeneration via alternating scrubbers so that the sensor signal can return toward baseline.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a modular chemiresistive ethylene sensing system with alternating measurement and recovery cycles. It includes defined sensor structure, gas handling, and electronics.
Alternating measurement and recovery gas routing for ethylene sensing
A system comprising a chemical analysis section having an ethylene sensor, an ethylene scrubber, a CO2 scrubber, gas flow control valves and a pump to feed the ethylene-containing gas through the system, wherein the chemical analysis section alternatively delivers quantities of the gas stream in a measurement cycle or a recovery cycle.
Chemiresistive ethylene sensor using conductive polymer nanowire nano-network bridging electrode gap
An ethylene sensor comprising a substrate with two electrodes separated by a gap of 0.5 to 4.0 μm, and a nano-network of conductive polymer nanowires bridging the gap to provide an electrically conductive path between the electrodes, with the nano-network exhibiting defined electrical characteristics and the functionalized nanowires changing electrical characteristics in response to defined quantities of ethylene.
Electronics section for receiving ethylene sensor signals
An electronics section comprising a power supply, a system control board and a measurement board, wherein the measurement board receives electrical signals from the ethylene sensor.
Overall claim coverage centers on a modular ethylene sensing system that uses an ethylene sensor with conductive polymer nanowire nano-network bridging an electrode gap, combined with pump- and valve-driven alternating measurement and recovery cycles using CO2 and ethylene scrubbers. The electronics receive sensor electrical signals for measurement.
Stated Advantages
Enables reversible ethylene detection using alternating measurement and recovery cycles with scrubbers.
Provides sensing of the presence and concentration of ethylene in a gaseous environment using electrical changes in a functionalized conductive polymer nanowire nano-network.
Supports display of ethylene concentration values over a stated concentration range.
Documented Applications
Monitoring for fruit ripeness using ethylene concentration sensing.
Space or warehouse monitoring using ethylene concentration sensing.
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