Media.Player

Optical Fiber-Mounted Porous Silicon Photonic Crystals for Remote Sensing of Environmental Toxins and Volatile Organic Compounds

Technology Benefits

Sensing of environmental chemical toxins. Opportunity for tailorable surface chemistry and VOC class preference. Small fiber-optic based sensor that operates by detecting organic vapors through a filter bed of activated carbon. Sensitive to low concentrations of VOCs. Detection of VOCs breakthrough of activated carbon filtration beds used in respiratory masks. The novel optical fiber-mounted, porous-silicon, photonic crystal senses by monitoring the wavelength, as opposed to the intensity of reflected light. In addition to producing a reflectivity spectrum, the porous silicon layer provides a microstructure for concentrating analytes.

Technology Application

Environmental sensing, including remote sensing of VOCs, toxic industrial chemicals, and chemical warfare agents. Measurement of humidity, vapor phase chemicals, aqueous chemicals, and biomolecules. End-of-service-life, or residual service life indicators in personal respirators and collective protection devices.

Detailed Technology Description

This technology is a method for remote sensing of environmental toxins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The novel device developed by UC San Diego could be utilized for environmental sensing and as an end-of-service-life indicator in personal respirators and protection devices. By coupling previous porous silicon crystal technology with optical fibers, UC San Diego researchers have created a small, pinpoint fiber-optic sensor platform that detects organic vapors through a filter bed of activated carbon. The sensor system, formed by silicon photonic crystals mounted to the tip of optical fibers, is unique in monitoring the wavelength, as opposed to the intensity of transmitted light. The device is therefore less susceptible to conditions affecting the intensity of transmitted light, such as interference from optical loss, changes in the radius of curvature of the fiber, and mechanical vibration. In addition, the porous silicon surface can be easily chemically modified, allowing the opportunity to influence the response of the sensor towards particular classes of VOCs.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US7889954B2
Application Number: US2008218330A
Inventor: Sailor, Michael J. | King, Brian H | Ruminski, Anne M | Snyder, Jay L
Priority Date: 12 Jul 2007
Priority Number: US7889954B2
Application Date: 14 Jul 2008
Publication Date: 15 Feb 2011
IPC Current: G02B000600
US Class: 385012 | 385013
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Optical fiber-mounted porous photonic crystals and sensors
Usefulness: Optical fiber-mounted porous photonic crystals and sensors
Summary: Remote sensor for environmental sensing and measurement of humidity, vapor phase chemicals, aqueous chemicals, biomolecules, volatile organic compounds, airborne chemical toxins, chemical warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals.
Novelty: Remote sensor, e.g. for environmental sensing and measurement of humidity, comprises optical fiber terminating in tip, and thin film porous particle with characteristic optical response that changes in the presence of analyte

Industry

Optics

Sub Category

Optical Fiber

Application No.

7889954

Others

State Of Development

This technology is offered exclusively or nonexclusively in the U.S. and/or worldwide territories. A commercial sponsor for potential future research is sought.

User Defined 1

• Michael J. Sailor, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC San Diego.
• King B. H., Ruminski A. M., Snyder J. L., Sailor M. J. Optical-Fiber-Mounted Porous Silicon Photonic Crystals for Sensing Organic Vapor Breakthrough in Activated Carbon. Adv. Mater. 2007, 19, 4530-4534.
• http://chem-faculty.ucsd.edu/sailor/
• http://www-chem.ucsd.edu/research/profile.cfm?cid=C01467

Tech ID/UC Case

19922/2007-299-0

Related Cases

2007-299-0

*Abstract

There is a continual need for low cost, small-sized, fast responding sensors for toxic industrial chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and chemical warfare agents. In addition, there is a growing need for sensors that can monitor the residual adsorption capacity of activated carbon filtration cartridges in gas masks and personal protective equipment.

In the U.S., government health and safety regulations require the detection of contaminants prior to depletion of the carbon bed’s adsorption capacity. However, these regulations have not been yet enacted due to a lack of suitable sensing devices.

*IP Issue Date

Feb 15, 2011

*Principal Investigator

Name: Brian King

Department:

Name: Anne Ruminski

Department:

Name: Michael Sailor

Department:

Name: Jay Snyder

Department:

Country/Region

USA