Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPMColour change based sensors for the detection of toxic gases
Within the project TOXIG, toxic gases are detected quickly and selectively using a novel combination of materials and methods based on the principle of colour change. The colour change can be easily measured by use of light emitting diodes and photodetectors. A previously unsolved problem is the influence of environmental parameters, such as humidity changes, on the colour change. Improved sensor dyes and matrix embeddings as well as, in particular, an integrated impedance measurement for moisture monitoring ensure that, for the first time, long-term stable low-cost sensors can be realized that measure absolute values. In the first target application, toxic and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are addressed in order to detect fires in their early stages. In addition, the TOXIG measuring principle enables a multitude of new applications, e.g. in safety engineering (fire and occupational safety), environmental analysis (ozone, greenhouse gases) or air quality monitoring (»Volatile Organic Compounds« VOC, CO2).
Project finance
The project is funded by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft within the framework of market-oriented preliminary research (MAVO).
Project partners
- Fraunhofer EMFT, Munich
- Fraunhofer ISC, Würzburg
