Gas Sensors Based on Coated and Doped Carbon Nanotubes

About this technology

Overview

NASAs Ames Research Center offers the opportunity to license and codevelop electronic, inexpensive, low-power gas sensors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). Traditional sensors, such as metal oxide devices, have been utilized for several decades for detection of combustible and toxic gases. However, they are power hungry, and their use is limited. There is a strong need for development of next-generation chemical sensors with higher sensitivity in the parts per million (ppm) to parts per billion (ppb) level and low power consumption. Sensors based on emerging nanotechnology, such as SWCNTs, promise to provide improved performance. NASA scientists came up with an innovative method for gas detection by coating or doping the SWCNTs with suitable materials. The purpose of the invention is to incorporate thus-treated SWCNTs into electronic devices that measure their electrical properties, such as resistance.