Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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| This is a prototype of an oxygen sensor that contains a special photoluminescent silica aerogel. Oxygen concentration is measured by recording the brightness of the aerogel, which is affected by the amount of gaseous oxygen around the aerogel. |
ABSTRACT: Commercial devices for measuring oxygen concentration in gases currently employ electrochemical cells, high temperature ionic conductors, or other methods. The main disadvantages of these devices include slow response times, and environmental restrictions (temperature, flow rate of the gas to be measured, etc.) Researchers at the Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new oxygen concentration/pressure sensor using photoluminescent silica aerogel that operates over a very wide temperature range, and responds virtually instantaneously and independently of flow conditions. This new inorganic aerogel-based photoluminescent oxygen sensor is anticipated to outlive and outperform rival devices that are suspended in silicone rubber films.
STATUS: U. S. Patent #5,885,843. Available for licensing
REFERENCE NUMBER: IB-1148
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