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US-20260126408-A1 - NANOFIBER SENSOR MICROHEATER

US20260126408A1US 20260126408 A1US20260126408 A1US 20260126408A1US-20260126408-A1

Abstract

A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte includes a detector and a microheater. The detector includes an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte. The microheater is coupled to the detector and includes a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers.

Inventors

  • Christopher S. Adams

Assignees

  • GENTEX CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251024

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte, the sensor assembly comprising: a detector including an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte; and a microheater coupled to the detector, the microheater including a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers.
  2. 2 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is configured to be heated to between 80° C. and 150° C.
  3. 3 . The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the heating element is configured to be heated to between 100° C. and 150° C.
  4. 4 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heating element includes a heating trace that extends between a first heating conduction terminal and a second heating conduction terminal.
  5. 5 . The sensor assembly of claim 4 , wherein the heating trace is spaced from and extends at least partially around a perimeter of the interdigitated electrodes.
  6. 6 . The sensor assembly of claim 4 , wherein the heating trace extends between the first heating conduction terminal and the second heating conduction terminal in a pattern that is at least partially aligned with the interdigitated electrodes.
  7. 7 . The sensor assembly of claim 6 , wherein the microheater includes a passivation layer located between the heating trace and the interdigitated electrodes.
  8. 8 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heating element includes a heating element substrate that is aligned with the interdigitated electrodes.
  9. 9 . The sensor assembly of claim 8 , wherein the heating element substrate is formed of p-type silicon or indium tin oxide (“ITO”).
  10. 10 . The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the microheater includes a passivation layer located between the heating element substrate and the interdigitated electrodes.
  11. 11 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fiber material is organic.
  12. 12 . A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte, the sensor assembly comprising: a housing; a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity level within the housing; a detector including an electrode layer including electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte; a microheater coupled to the detector, the microheater including a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers; and a control circuit in operable communication with the humidity sensor, the control circuit configured to: receive the detected humidity level; and energize the microheater based on the detected humidity level.
  13. 13 . The sensor assembly of claim 12 , wherein the fiber material is formed of a derivative of organic pigment perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid diimide.
  14. 14 . The sensor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the control circuit is configured to energize the microheater once the detected humidity level reaches a threshold level.
  15. 15 . The sensor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the heating element includes a heating trace that extends between a first heating conduction terminal and a second heating conduction terminal, the heating trace includes long singular trace in a pattern with at least one double trace segment.
  16. 16 . The sensor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the heating element is configured to be heated to at or below 150° C.
  17. 17 . The sensor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the heating element includes a heating element substrate aligned with the electrodes with a conductive film.
  18. 18 . A sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte, the sensor assembly comprising: a housing; a detector including an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte; and a microheater coupled to the detector, the microheater including a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature at or below 150° C. that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers.
  19. 19 . A wearable device including the sensor assembly of claim 18 .
  20. 20 . The sensor assembly of claim 18 , wherein the heating element includes a heating trace formed of platinum with a chromium adhesion layer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/716,366, filed on Nov. 5, 2024, entitled “NANOFIBER SENSOR MICROHEATER,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to a sensor microheater and, more particularly, a sensor assembly with a microheater. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte includes a detector and a microheater. The detector includes an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte. The microheater is coupled to the detector and includes a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte includes a detector and a microheater. The sensor assembly further includes a housing and a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity level within the housing. The detector includes an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte. The microheater is coupled to the detector and includes a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers. A control circuit is in operable communication with the humidity sensor. The control circuit is configured to receive the detected humidity level and energize the microheater based on the detected humidity level. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor assembly for detecting a presence of an analyte includes a detector and a microheater. The sensor assembly further includes a housing. The detector includes an electrode layer including interdigitated electrodes and nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte. The microheater is coupled to the detector and includes a heating element that is capable of heating at least a portion of the detector to a temperature that reduces a quantity of water molecules in a region proximate the nanofibers. The present disclosure generally provides a sensor microheater and, more particularly, a sensor assembly with a microheater. The sensor assembly may include nanofibers that are formed of a fiber material exhibiting an electrical signal that changes based on exposure to the analyte. The microheater may control the temperature around the nanofibers to prevent or reduce the accumulation of water molecules. More particularly, when the nanofibers are exposed to humidity, the changes in the electrical signals can be hindered and unpredictable, making quantification of the analyte difficult. The microheater, therefore, heats a portion of the nanofibers to the temperature which is high enough to remove the water molecules and/or dry the nanofibers, but low enough not to affect the operational state of the nanofibers. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sensor assembly with a microheater of a first construction, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2A is a front view of a sensor assembly with a microheater of a first construction, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2B is a front view of a sensor assembly in a disassembled condition with a microheater of a second construction, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2C is a front view of a sensor assembly in a disassembled condition with a microheater of a third construction, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 3A is a graphical representation of humidity effects on a sensor assembly without a microheater, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 3B is a graphical representation of humidity effects on a sensor assembly with a microheater at a 10 V bias, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 3C is a graphical representation of humidity effects on a sensor assembly with a microheater at a 15 V bias, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3D is a graphical representation of humidity effects on a sensor assembly with a microheater at a 20 V bias, according to an aspect of the present