NPL and CEMMNT accelerate novel gas sensor development with Applied NanoDetectors
Applied Nanodetectors develop novel sensor arrays using chemically modified carbon nanotubes (CNT) as pollutant gas sensing agents. The arrays are physically smaller with potentially higher sensitivity than current commercial sensors.
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800 x 800 nm AFM image of double walled CNT's on silicon |
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TEM identifies double wall and multi-wall CNT distribution |
Victor Higgs, Applied NanoDetectors C.E.O. gained open access to characterise sensor structure, properties and performance at CEMMNT partner, NPL. Victor leveraged consultancy and secondment opportunities through the BERR Measurement for Innovators (MFI) scheme. Working with Alex Cuenat from the NPL's nanomaterials group and CEMMNT's technical team, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was utilised to determine 3-dimensional nanotube morphology. The work is being extended applying conductive AFM to characterise CNT electrical (electron transfer) properties. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images provided a larger area overview of nanotube morphology and valuable data on tube structure and crystallinity.
To characterise the sensors' sensitivity to trace gaseous pollutants, Victor worked with Nick Martin of the NPL Analytical Science team using a state of the art environmental probe test chamber and patented gas diluter. The team measured the sensors’ response over a wide dynamic range of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) aerosol concentrations from low parts per billion to parts per million. The simplicity of the sensors is a leap in technology and their high sensitivity as a function of pollutant concentration is superior to that found in most current commercial devices.
The project has enabled Applied Nanodetectors to leverage funding opportunities to support further sensor development using NPL and CEMMNT as collaborators. This highlights the benefits CEMMNT and its open access philosophy bring to SMEs seeking to accelerate commercialisation and develop vital IP:
"The support we have received from NPL has been invaluable and will enable us to produce state-of-the-art products with a much faster time to market"
Victor Higgs, Managing Director, Applied Nanodetectors.
TEM Analysis of a multiwalled nanotube: application snapshot
EDX accelerates carbon nanotube catalytic growth: application snapshot