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Nanofiber Sensors for

Tr a c e C h e m i c a l D e t e c t i o n
advances in electronic nose technology

Overview
A Nanofiber-based chemiresistor detection technology :
Vaporsens is developing a novel, portable gas and vapor sampling device capable of
detecting trace amounts of chemicals with greater sensitivity, accuracy, and speed
than has been heretofore possible in such a small package. In short, it is an
electronic nose.

Electronic noses have previously been researched and even commercialized, however,
they have been limited by sensor lifetime, lack of sensitivity, and selectivity (when
using conducting polymers), or by humidity, environmental effects, and selectivity
(when using Nanotubes and Metal Oxide Nanowires). Vaporsens overcomes these
limitations with its organic nanofiber technology.
Platform Benefits
Small Size: Current desktop prototype is about the size of a matchbox and it can be
shrunk further
Highly Sensitive: For trace amounts from the parts per million to parts per trillion
range
Selective: Selective towards multiple chemicals as demonstrated in 30 publications
Rapid Response: Sensors respond immediately
Sample input: Ambient air, headspace, or process line
Replaceable Sensor: The sensor can be easily replaced as needed. Depending on the
application the sensor may need replacement every 1-12 months
Low Power Requirements
No Radioactive Materials

Current Development Platform. The

Technology Readiness Level of the device is
a 7 for industrial applications and a 5 for
defense applications (on a scale of 1-9)

Trace Chemical Detection

The Vaporsens sensor creates different signatures for different
chemicals. Sensors are especially sensitive to redox active
chemicals including: Amines, Nitros, Phosphines, Peroxides,
Phenols, Ammonia, and other substances such as TICs, Chemical
Agents, Pesticides, Explosives.

At this stage, the detector is to be used to alarm for the presence of

trace chemicals rather than provide precise quantitative
measurements.
The sensors demonstrate very good specificity between chemical
classes and good specificity within a chemical class. It is ideal for

The sensor is not intended for Nuclear, Radiological, or Biological

(directly, but potentially is capable of detecting the metabolites of Detecting a chemical in the presence of a strong background
organisms) targets and it is selective against these substances.
Detecting a chemical out of complex mixture
Monitoring an entire complex mixture.

A response signature or
finger print for each
compound is shown. A
response signature results
from the combination of the
responses of the 8 fibers. The
data shown is preprocessed
for better classification. Each
nanofiber sensor was
exposed for 200 seconds. (FN
is Fiber Number)

Chemicals detected
Explosives
Nitros
Peroxides
Tested to Date
Nitromethane
DNT (Dinitrotoluene)
TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate
Fuel Oil)
Ammonium Nitrate
PETN (may detect taggant)
RDX (may detect taggant)
TATP (Triacetone
Triperoxide)
H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide)

VOCs Volatile
Organic
Compounds

Benzaldehyde
Hexane
Acetone
Ethanol
Diesel Fuel
Nitrobenzene
Formaldehyde

TICs - Toxic Industrial

Chemicals
Acids
Acid Precursors
Peroxides
Tested to Date:
Cl2 (Chlorine Gas)
NH3 (Ammonia)
H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide)
SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide)
HCl (Hydrochloric Acid)
TEP (Triethyl Phosphate)
PH3 (Phosphine)
HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide)
Arsine
Formaldehyde

Food Safety
TCA (Trichloroanisole)
*Melamine
*Trimethylamine

Other chemicals within

this class that are of
interest

CWAs - Chemical
Warfare Agents
Phosphates
Sulfides
Phosgene
Tested to Date:
TEP (Triethylphosphate)
DMMP (Dimethyl
methylphosphonate) ) (Sarin
Analog)
2-Chloroethyl ethyl sulfide
(Mustard Gas)
Triphosgene
Methyl Salicylate

Amine Containing Compounds

Tested to Date
N-MethylPhenethylamine (Isomer of
Amphetamine/Methamphetamine
analog)
Methylamine (Used in Synthesis of
Methamphetamine)
Ammonia (Used in Synthesis of
Methamphetamine)
Aniline
Triethylamine
Diethylamine

Potential Applications
Potential Applications: Trace Detector for Explosives, Chem Agents, Toxic Chemicals, Food Safety, Taints in Food and beverage,
Gas Leaks, Pharmaceutical safety.

Handheld Point Detection

Quality Assurance
Laboratory device with greater
sensitivity to vapors than current
equipment.

Handheld detector roughly one-fourth

the weight and one-half the size of the
current Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
based portable systems. (NSF Funding)

Remotely Networked Monitors

Wearable Monitor

Remote detection of harmful chemicals.

Low battery requirements result in long
lifetime. (DTRA Funding)

Lightweight wearable monitors for

monitoring TICs or Chemical Agent
Devices.

Fixed Monitor
For more robust, long-term monitors,
stationary monitors with an external
power source can be developed.

Comparison to Other E-nose Technologies

Sensor Type

MOS

CP

QCM

SAW

Nanofiber

Operating Temp C

300-400

Ambient

Ambient

Ambient

Ambient

Sensitivity

>0.1ppm

0.01ppm

>0.1ppm

ppb

ppt

Selectivity

Poor

Moderate

High

High

High

Reproducibility

Poor

Good

Moderate

Moderate

Good

Temperature Drift

Low

High

Moderate

High

Low

Humidity Drift

Low

High

Low

Low

Low

Response time (s)

0.5-5

20-50

20-50

20-50

5-60

Recovery time

Fast

Slow

Slow

Slow

Fast

Lifetime (years)

3 to 5

1 to 2

<2

<2

Conducting polymer (CP), metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and surface acoustic wave (SAW)

Columns 1-5: http://www.academia.edu/5393582/Hand-held_Electronic_Nose_Sensor_Selection_System_for_Basal_Stamp_Rot_BSR_Disease_Detection

Sensitivity

Comparison to Current Trace Technologies

Polymer Film
AFP

Nanofiber

PID
IMS

Portable GC/MS

Selectivity

Portability

Comparison to Current Trace Technologies

Nanofiber
PID

Polymer Film
AFP
IMS

Portable GC/MS

Cost Effectiveness

Technology - Organic Nanofibers

The detector is based on patented organic nanofiber sensors which were originally
developed at the University of Utah with funding from the Department of
Homeland Securitys Explosives Division.
Organic Nanofibers: Vaporsens sensor materials are organic nanofibers capable of
detecting trace amounts of target chemicals of interest. In brief, our nanofibers are
prepared from building block molecules (based on a perylene core molecule) with
unique side groups.
These building block molecules are then made to self-assemble into nanofibers by
manipulating parameters including solvent polarity and temperature. The
nanofibers can then be coated onto a substrate. Because the nanofibers are
conductive, when they are coated onto interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) they
complete an electrical circuit.

Technology Sensing Mechanism

The mechanism is a chemiresistor approach:
our sensor changes its electrical resistance in
response to changes in a nearby chemical
environment.
The nanofibers form a net or porous structure
with a large surface area that specifically
captures targeted molecules from the air
through molecular diffusion and surface
adsorption.
When the nanofibers capture target molecules, they will either withdraw electrons from the chemical or donate electrons to it
resulting in an increase or decrease in observed current. The response time for detection is then measured in seconds, not minutes.
Over thirty fibers have been developed to date. Each one responds differently to a chemical group. When the nanofiber sensors are
combined into an array, their combined responses form a unique signature pattern or smell-print for each chemical. Furthermore, an
essentially unlimited number of nanofibers can be developed leading to further improved selectivity for a broader range of target
analytes.
A

(A) SEM image of nanofibers coated on glass. (B) Nanofibers suspended in ethanol. (C) Interdigitated electrode. (D) Fibers coated onto
interdigitated electrode and wire bonded onto sensor board array. (E) Sensor board array plugs into electronic base.

Background
The sensor technology originated from research funded by previous Homeland Security and National Science Foundation grants in
support of Dr. Ling Zangs work on sensory nanomaterials at the University of Utah, which has generated over 30 peer-reviewed
publications and 10 patents.
Vaporsens was incorporated in 2011 to commercialize this sensor technology and has received external seed funding from private
investors. In 2013, DOD-DTRA awarded Vaporsens $1.4M (via subcontract) to develop the sensory materials into remotely networked
chemical vapor sensors. In 2014, the NSF awarded Vaporsens a Phase II SBIR to develop a handheld explosives vapor detector.
Vaporsens now has 6 full-time employees and 2 part time. Key personnel include:
Ben Rollins, Project Manager: Entrepreneur and project manager now
leading his second technology transfer startup.

Dr. Yin Sun, PI: Analytical chemist with over 16 years in the trace
detection and instrumentation industry. Authored two books on trace
detection. Led developments at Smiths Detection and Spectrafluidcs.
Dr. Ling Zang, CSO and Advisor: Research on sensory nanomaterials
has resulted in over 30 peer-reviewed publications and 10 patents.

Paul Allen, Sr. Engineer: Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial engineer

with experience in startups and new products
Paul Slattum, Sr. Chemist: An author of 11 papers and inventor on 11
patents. Over 20 years of industrial experience in organic chemistry.

Dr. Greger Andersson, Principal Scientist, Data Analytics: Brings over 20

years of experience working on chemometrics for various technologies
including IMS and Metal Oxide Sensors.

Patents and Selected Publications

Patent

Status

IP Type Number

Perylene Nanofiber Fluorescent Sensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Sensing
Issued
of Amines

U.S. Patent No. 8,486,708 B2

Photoconductive sensor materials for detection of explosive vapor

Issued

U.S. Patent No. 8,889,420

Optoelectrical vapor sensing

Issued

U.S. Patent No. 8,703,500

Fluorescent Carbazole Oligomers Nanofibril Materials for Vapor Sensing

Issued

U.S. Patent No. 8,809,063

Fluorescent Sensing of Vapors Using Tubular Nanofibril Materials

Published

Publication number
WO2013066458 A3

Multimode platform for detection of compounds

Published

Publication number WO2013095730

Selected Publications
Diffusion-Controlled Detection of Trinitrotoluene: Interior Nanoporous Structure and Low Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital Level
of Building Blocks Enhance Selectivity and Sensitivity, Che et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 2012 134 (10), 4978-4982,
DOI: 10.1021/ja300306e
Organic Optoelectronic Materials for Trace Explosive Sensing, Zhan et al.
Ambient photodoping of p-type organic nanofibers: highly efficient photoswitching and electrical vapor sensing of amines, Che et
al., Chem. Commun., 2010,46, 4127-4129, DOI: 10.1039/C0CC00823K
Ultrathin n-Type Organic Nanoribbons with High Photoconductivity and Application in Optoelectronic Vapor Sensing of Explosives,
Che et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 2010 132 (16), 5743-5750, DOI: 10.1021/ja909797q
One-Dimensional Self-Assembly of Planar -Conjugated Molecules: Adaptable Building Blocks for Organic Nanodevices, Zang et al.,
Accounts of Chemical Research 2008 41 (12), 1596-1608, DOI: 10.1021/ar800030w
Expedient Vapor Probing of Organic Amines Using Fluorescent Nanofibers Fabricated from an n-Type Organic Semiconductor, Che et
al., Nano Letters 2008 8 (8), 2219-2223 DOI: 10.1021/nl080761g

Sensor Characteristics
The following slides represent a few of the characteristics of the nanofiber sensor.

Sensitivity
Chemical
Class

Chemical Agent

Vaporsens Preliminary Limit

of Detection (ppm)
Based on a 30 seconds
exposure to analyte

Critical
Concentration

Negligible
Concentrations

Military Requires
Military Requires Detection
Detection within 180
within 30 Seconds
Seconds

Nerve

Sarin Simulant (GB) - Dimethyl methyl

phosphonate(DMMP)

0.018

0.043

0.001

Blister

Mustard Gas Simulant (HD) - 2Chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

0.650

0.4900

0.0785

TIC

Ammonia (NH3)

0.016

2732.65

30.2

Sulfur Dioxide (S02)

0.019

30.18

0.2

Phosgene

0.020

3.71

0.099

Chlorine

0.0003

51.65

0.52

Hydrogen Cyanide (CK)

0.021

9.06

0.68

All numbers in ppm

1 Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; Performance Specifications for the Next Generation Chemical Detector, 2013

Results from preliminary sensitivity testing of toxic chemicals and chemical warfare agents
simulants. Current prototype meets or exceeds military requirements.

Selectivity

PCA analysis to show that these chemical compounds can be separated.

Interferent DMMP/Acetone

8 Channel Sensor Array Responses to

DMMP over time

Background interferents have little affect on the nanofiber

response to an analyte. This test shows the nanofiber sensor
arrays response to 9 ppm of DMMP (a common toxic chemical) in
the presence of increasing concentrations of Acetone (0, 2 ppth, 13
ppth, 78 ppth) Although the amount DMMP is orders of
magnitude less than the acetone, the fibers response to DMMP is
nearly identical. Nearly 4 orders of magnitude!
Signature Similarity Scores
Acetone Concentration

0%

1%
(3ppth)

5%
(13ppth)

30%
(78ppth)

Measured

94%

98%

99%

94%

Corrected

99.8%

99.6%

99.7%

99.7%

Two different 3 minute exposures to 9 ppm of

DMMP at 10 minutes and again at 23 minutes

8 Channel Sensor Arrays Normalized Responses to DMMP in Increasing Levels of Acetone

Raw Data: Average relative response of sensors over

60 seconds. 4 different interferent levels.

Processed Data: Decomposed data from model tool

Interferent DMMP/Hexane

8 Channel Sensor Array Responses to

DMMP over time

This test shows the nanofiber sensor arrays response to 9 ppm of

DMMP (a common toxic chemical) in the presence of increasing
concentrations of Hexane (0, 1 ppth, 7 ppth, 39 ppth) Although
the amount DMMP is orders of magnitude less than the Hexane,
the fibers response to DMMP is nearly identical.

Signature Similarity Scores

Hexane Concentration

0%

1%

5%

30%

Measured

94%

99%

99%

95%

Corrected

99.7%

99.9%

99.7%

99.9%

Two different 3 minute exposures to DMMP at

10 minutes and again at 23 minutes

8 Channel Sensor Arrays Normalized Responses to DMMP in Increasing Levels of Hexane

Raw Data: Average relative response of sensors over

60 seconds. 4 different interferent levels.

Processed Data: Decomposed data from model tool

Temperature Effect - DMMP

8 Channel Sensor Array Responses to

DMMP over time

Background temperature has little affect on the nanofiber

response to an analyte. This test shows the nanofiber sensor
arrays response to 9 ppm of DMMP in the presence of
temperature levels (2 C, 26 C, 35 C, 42 C). The fibers response
to DMMP is very similar over different temperatures.
Signature Similarity Scores
Temperature

2 C

26 C

35 C

42 C

Measured

95%

97%

99%

94%

Corrected

99.5%

99.6%

99.9%

98.9%

Two different 3 minute exposures to DMMP at

10 minutes and again at 23 minutes

8 Channel Sensor Arrays Normalized Responses to DMMP at Different Temperatures

Raw Data: Average relative response of sensors over

60 seconds to varying temperatures.

Processed Data: Decomposed data from model tool

Humidity Effect - DMMP

8 Channel Sensor Array Responses to

DMMP over time

The following demonstrates the humidity effect on the nanofiber

responses to an analyte. This test shows the nanofiber sensor
arrays response to 9 ppm of DMMP in the presence of increasing
humidity levels (10%, 35%, 50%). The fibers response to DMMP is
very similar over different humidity.

Signature Similarity Scores

Relative Humidity

10%

35%

50%

Measured

98%

98%

96%

Corrected

99.8%

99.7%

99.6%

Two different 3 minute exposures to DMMP at

10 minutes and again at 23 minutes

8 Channel Sensor Arrays Normalized Responses to DMMP at Different Humidity Levels

(Raw Data)

Raw Data: Average relative response of sensors over 60

seconds to varying humidity levels (at 42 C / 107 F).

(Corrected Data)

Processed Data: Decomposed data from model tool