New sensor developed for smartphones can detect gas

Developed by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and senior scientist Rami Mannila, a miniature sensor connected to smartphones can detect gas found in the air, measuring internal air problems, as well as sleep quality by gauging carbon dioxide quantities inhaled by the sleeper.

The tiny gas sensor is based on Fabry-Pérot interferometers (FPI) – adjustable optical filters – and was developed to support spectroscopy-based applications, such as hyperspectral cameras for nanosatellite and drone-based environmental monitoring, the early detection of skin cancer, as well as fuel analysis for emission minimization.

Based on channeling light through the sample being analyzed, the gas technology measures penetration at various wavelengths, determining the composition of the compound. Carbon dioxide is identified based on its strong absorption of light at a wavelength of 4.2 µm. Corresponding sensor technology can also be used to simultaneously differentiate and detect other gases based on the spectrum of their absorption peaks at various infra-red wavelengths.

Many sensor developers are interested in using smartphones to measure gas concentrations as a way of monitoring air quality tied to health and wellness.

“This is probably due to the spread of the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables indirect observations of a range of environmental factors based on data gathered from single sensors or sensor networks. Many day-to-day issues, such as precision and efficiency in the workplace, can depend on carbon dioxide levels and internal air quality,” says Anna Rissanen, leader of the VTT research team.

While VTT has not announced a release date for the new gas technology sensor, they may face some competition from companies such as Variable Technologies, Sensorcon, Homeland Security and the University of California, San Diego which are also developing smartphone gas sensors.

Via Gizmag