Sensor Substrate Development

Novel substrates, such as aerogels and porous, low density ceramics may increase the sensitivities of chemical reaction-based sensors for toxic vapors. These sensors are based on changes in color or thermal properties. Such sensors have the potential to be extremely sensitive.

Detection of toxic vapors from aerospace fluids such as propellants is vital to the protection of those working in and around spacecraft.  Chemical reaction based sensors relying on changes in color, electrical or thermal properties have the potential to be extremely sensitive. One of the limiting factors to the sensitivity of these devices is the nature of the substrate which contains the active agent. New substrates can be coupled with, and tailored to, new and existing detection chemistries for increased sensitivity.  Aerogels and porous low density ceramics may have promise of increasing sensitivity of chemical detection. Aerogels in particular hold promise because the detection chemistry is in three dimensions giving an increased optical path length resulting in increased sensitivity and increased dynamic range.  Alternative indicator chemistries such as tetrabromoaurate will be evaluated with these new substrates.