Sensors & Electronics
Chemical Sensors
Sensing Mechanism Capabilities
Underlying Science Capabilities: PNNL's capabilities for identifying, exploiting, and optimizing Sensing/Interaction Mechanisms to meet specific application requirements rely on and are greatly enhanced by the existence of strong laboratory capabilities in underlying science areas including the following: material science, chemical science, biological science, and physical science. These complementary science capabilities are the result of significant work for government and other sponsors. Significant intellectual (e.g., staff with specialized skills), equipment, and facility resources are in place to support this work. These capabilities can be drawn upon as-needed to meet sensor development project requirements.
Material Sciences: The capabilities most pertinent for chemical sensor development include the following:
- Selective Coatings & Membranes
- Material Synthesis & Production
- Surface Functionalization/Modification
- Ceramic Materials for Sensors
Chemical Sciences: The capabilities most pertinent for chemical sensor development include the following:
- Interfacial & Interphasal Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Molecular Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Biological Sciences: The capabilities most pertinent for chemical sensor development include the following:
- Microbiology & Molecular Biology
- Protein Chemistry
- Immunology/Enzymology
- Bio-Processing and Kinetic Modeling
Physical Sciences: The capabilities most pertinent for chemical sensor development include the following:
- Spectroscopic Detection Methods (optical, mass, etc.)
- Interaction Mechanisms (electro-optical, electromechanical, etc.)
Sensing/Interaction Mechanisms: Fundamental mechanisms and interactions that allow the detection and quantification of chemicals. (e.g., optical absorption, specific affinity of a material for a chemical, frequency shift). A sensing/interaction mechanism is also known as a transduction mechanism that converts the chemical presence to some form of usable signal.
Sensor: A device that can detect the presence and/or quantify the concentration of a family of chemicals or a specific chemical exposed to the sensor. The sensor will rely on one or more sensing mechanisms and produce a signal that indicates the chemical's presence and/or concentration.
- Types of chemical sensors developed at PNNL include the following: electrochemical sensors, mass sensors, thermal/calorimetric sensors, optical (including infrared) sensors, etc.
- In addition, PNNL develops unique/specialized chemical sensors for clients when suitable sensors are not available to meet a client's demanding requirements.
