The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) has been granted a patent for an optical sensor for detecting vapors and gases, which will improve sensor systems used in industry, environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. This was reported on the website of the institute.

Most optical gas sensors are unable to determine exactly which substance has caused a change in the environment. A more detailed analysis is possible by coating the surface with substances that selectively bind to the molecules of specific vapors and gases. This approach makes the sensors expensive, complex to manufacture and limits their service life. The scientists have found a different way to determine the composition of a gas mixture.

Rather than relying on a chemical reaction on the surface of the active region, the researchers used specially designed nanostructures that facilitate the capillary condensation of gaseous substances. This makes it possible to determine both the qualitative and quantitative composition of gas mixtures whilst retaining the ability to reuse the sensor multiple times.

"The device's architecture allows for miniaturization and integration into portable devices and potentially enables simpler and more cost-effective production," said one of the patent's authors, Vasily Fedotov, a professor at Skoltech's Centre for Photonics Science and Engineering.

This development could form the basis for a new generation of sensors for the continuous control of industrial processes, emissions monitoring, industrial safety systems, environmental analysis, and non-invasive diagnostics based on exhaled breath. In particular, breath analysis makes it possible to detect markers of conditions such as diabetes (based on acetone concentration), liver or kidney dysfunction (based on ammonia concentration), and infectious respiratory tract diseases.