Nanotechnology for the sensor industry
The EC-funded NANOPHOS project aimed to overcome the shortcomings of the currently available sensor products and at the same time move away from the principles that govern them. In other words, the project partners were no longer concentrating on electrochemical, spectroscopic gas sensor concepts or those based on conductivity. Project partners at the National Hellenic Research Foundation developed an integrated photonic free-space point sensor system. The system, which is based on the use of light beams, can monitor both physical and chemical parameters through a sensor element. The sensor element can be placed at any remote point, remaining optically linked to the base station. The device comprises an optics and electronics-based platform, a sensor head and a receiver. The innovative aspect of this approach lies in the fact that a number of parameters can be monitored at the same time, resulting in extended sensory networks when there can be many remote points on a frame. The applications of this sensor system vary and its advantages are its low cost and its multisensor profile. Furthermore, remote operation is aided through the use of special atmosphere compensating optics and methods.