Microsensor Evaluation Studies
Abstract
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices are potentially useful as small and very sensitive chemical vapor sensors. The basic operating principle for the SAW devices is the reversible adsorption of chemical vapors by adsorbent coatings which are sensitive and selective to the vapors one is trying to detect, that is, SAW devices act as mass sensitive detectors. The SAW device used in this study consists of an array of four coated sensor elements, with each coating providing a characteristic response to each of the vapors being detected. Results of experiments using fluoropolyol (FPOL), polyethylene maleate (PEM), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and ethyl cellulose (ECEL) as the coatings, and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), diethyl ethylphosphonate (DEEP), and dimethyl hydrogen phosphonate (DMHP), as the vapor challenges are reported. A major goal within the Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center (CRDEC) has been the development of an increased capability to detect chemical agents. This report presents the results of examining the temporal responses of four SAW coatings to varying concentrations of four organophosphonates used as simulants. A report prepared by Microsensor Systems, Inc., Fairfax, VA, examined the effect of temperature, vapor flow rate, and aging on microsensor performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA212802
Entities
People
- H. Wohltjen
- J. Parsons
- J. R. Lint
- L. Isaacson
- N. L. Jarvis