Detection of volatile chemicals using an RFID sensing system

摘要

Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for monitoring volatile chemicals. A system includes an radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag composed of a patterned metal. The patterned metal is configured to absorb a volatile chemical. The RFID tag includes a non-volatile memory configured to store identification data. The RFID tag also includes a receiver that receives a signal at a frequency in a frequency range. The frequency is based upon an amount of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal. A transmitter of the RFID tag transmits the identification data in response to receiving the signal. The strength of the transmitted identification data is based upon an amount of the absorbed volatile chemical.

主权项

1. A system for detecting a volatile chemical, the system comprising:
a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag composed of a patterned metal, wherein the patterned metal is configured to absorb a volatile chemical, and wherein the RFID tag comprises:
non-volatile memory configured to:
store identification data;a receiver configured to:
receive a signal at a frequency in a frequency range, wherein the frequency is based upon an amount of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal;a transmitter configured to:
transmit the identification data in response to receiving the signal, wherein a strength of the transmitted identification data is based upon an amount of the absorbed volatile chemical; andan RFID reader configured to:
broadcast a request signal over a plurality of frequencies in the frequency range;receive a response from the RFID tag at a particular request frequency, wherein a strength of the received response is based upon the amount of absorbed volatile chemical; anddetermine a level of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal based upon the strength of the received response and the particular request frequency; and a flow tube configured to convey a fluid, wherein the flow tube is configured to block the request signal; an analysis chamber, wherein the RFID tag is mounted within the analysis chamber; a first valve connecting the flow tube and the analysis chamber and configured to allow the fluid to flow from the flow tube into the analysis chamber; and a second valve connecting the flow tube and the analysis chamber and configured to allow the fluid to flow from the analysis chamber into the flow chamber.