A novel low-cost pre-concentrator concept to boost sensitivity and selectivity of gas sensor systems

Several highly relevant applications for gas sensor systems cannot be adequately addressed today due to the limited sensitivity and selectivity of available low-cost sensors. We present a novel approach to simultaneously boost sensitivity and selectivity by using low-cost, selective micro pre-concentrators (mPC) to accumulate target molecules. Micromachined Si hotplates coated with Molecular Imprinted Polymer (MIP) or Metal Organic Framework (MOF) layers are used as mPC and heated to release the adsorbed target molecules. The mPC is mounted in a small housing adjacent to a micro gas sensor to achieve an effective gas transfer. By combining several mPCs with broadband sensors, this simple device can detect several gases with unrivalled sensitivity and selectivity.