Importance

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Abstract

A sensor and method for rapidly determining the absence of a vapor in a gas or fluid is described as well as a method for constructing the sensor. The sensor comprises a resistive element having first and second leads; an elastomeric material in thermal contact with and surrounding a portion of the resistive element; and a stratum of electrically conductive particles surrounding a portion of the elastomeric material and electrically coupled to the first lead and a third lead. The method for determining the absence of a vapor comprises linking the sensor to a control means for preventing excessive adsorption; exposing the sensor to an environment; and monitoring the sensor. The method for constructing the sensor comprises applying an elastomeric material to the resistive element; applying a stratum of electrically conductive particles to the elastomeric material; electrically coupling one portion of the stratum to a first lead of the resistive element; and electrically coupling another portion of the stratum to a third lead. By adsorbing some of the vapor's molecules when the stratum of electrically conductive particles is exposed to a gas or fluid containing certain vapors, the stratum's electrical resistance changes. These changes are monitored by a control circuit that runs current through the resistive element when a threshold of adsorption has occurred. The heat from the resistor raises the temperature of the stratum and enables the stratum to shed the previously adsorbed vapor molecules.

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First Claim