ROBUST CHEMIRESISTOR SENSOR

摘要

A chemiresistor sensor probe for defecting target analytes. The probe includ es a body having a first control surface and a second control surface recessed within the first. A sensor film comprises numerous conductive particles disposed upon t he second surface. The film swells upon absorbing one or more analytes for which it ha s an affinity, thus causing the conductive particles to become more dispersed and increasing the resistance between the particles, The thickness of the film is equal to the distance between the first surface and the second surface, thus permitting the thickness to be controlled by varying the distance between the control surfaces. The robustness of the sensor probe is enhanced by placing a porous or mesh electrode along with, o r in place of, a chemical binding agent between the film and the terminals. The robustness is also improved by placing a diode in series with the sensor circuit.