Innovative Three Dimensional Nanostructured Thin Film Scaffolds for Gas Sensors

The methods used here are expected to outperform conventional sensing material systems; since the intrinsic large surface-area-to-volume ratio of the structures provides enhanced adsorptive capacity and large reaction contact area between the sensing material and the targeted gas species, thus increasing the sensitivity of the gas sensing medium. Taken together, these several features of the invention offer significant potential to realize gas sensors with enhanced performance. In addition, the fabrication methods used here do not require complicated procedures, relies only on industry standard equipment and techniques, and are inherently scalable. Moreover, the chemical, thermodynamic, and environmental stability of the nanoporous silica templates is expected to lead to highly reliable, long-life device operation.

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