Search Results (54)

Indoor sports facilities face distinctive indoor air quality (IAQ) challenges due to high occupant density, elevated metabolic emissions, and diverse pollutant sources associated with physical activity. This review presents a narrative synthesis of multidisciplinary evidence concerning IAQ in sports environments. It explores major pollutant categories, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and airborne microbial agents, highlighting their sources, behavior during exercise, and associated health risks. Research shows that physical activity can increase PM concentrations by up to 300%, and CO₂ levels frequently exceed 1000 ppm in inadequately ventilated spaces. The presence of semi-volatile organics and bioaerosols further complicates pollutant dynamics, especially in humid and densely occupied areas. Measurement technologies such as optical sensors, chromatographic methods, and molecular techniques are reviewed and compared for their applicability to dynamic indoor settings. Existing IAQ standards across China, the USA, the EU, the UK, and WHO are examined, revealing a lack of activity-specific thresholds and insufficient responsiveness to real-time conditions. Mitigation strategies (e.g., including demand-controlled ventilation, use of low-emission materials, liquid chalk substitutes, and integrated HEPA-UVGI purification systems) are evaluated, many demonstrating pollutant removal efficiencies over 80%. The integration of intelligent building management systems is emphasized for enabling real-time monitoring and adaptive control. This review concludes by identifying research priorities, including the development of activity-sensitive IAQ control frameworks and long-term health impact assessments for athletes and vulnerable users. Full article

Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) have undergone substantial advancements in their selectivity and efficiency, driven by their increasing deployment in separation processes, environmental remediation, and sensing applications. This review presents recent progress in the development of PIMs, focusing on strategies to enhance ion and molecule selectivity through the incorporation of novel carriers, including ionic liquids and task-specific extractants, as well as through polymer functionalization techniques. Improvements in mechanical and chemical stability, achieved via the utilization of high-performance polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK), as well as cross-linking approaches, are critically analyzed. The expanded application of PIMs in the removal of heavy metals, organic micropollutants, and gas separation, particularly for carbon dioxide capture, is discussed with an emphasis on efficiency and operational robustness. The integration of PIMs with electrochemical and optical transduction platforms for sensor development is also reviewed, highlighting enhancements in sensitivity, selectivity, and response time. Furthermore, emerging trends towards the fabrication of sustainable PIMs using biodegradable polymers and green solvents are evaluated. Advances in scalable manufacturing techniques, including phase inversion and electrospinning, are addressed, outlining pathways for the industrial translation of PIM technologies. The review concludes by identifying current limitations and proposing future research directions necessary to fully exploit the potential of PIMs in industrial and environmental sectors. Full article

The current research developed an optical carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor using anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) as the substrate. We developed an optical carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor utilizing CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) as the fluorescent dye and Phenol Red as the pH indicator. The QDs acted as the CO₂-responsive fluorophore and were embedded in a polyimide butyl methacrylate (polyIBM) matrix. This sensing solution was applied to an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) substrate, which provided a porous and stable platform for sensor fabrication. Photoluminescence measurements were conducted using the coated AAO substrate, with excitation from a 405 nm LED light source. The sensor exhibited red fluorescence emission at 570 nm and could detect CO₂ concentrations in the linear range of 0–100%. Experimental results showed that fluorescence intensity increased with CO₂ concentration, achieving a sensitivity of 211. A wavelength shift of 0.1657 nm/% was observed, indicating strong interactions among CO₂ molecules, Phenol Red, and the QDs within the AAO matrix. The sensor demonstrated a response time of 55 s and a recovery time of 120 s. These results confirm the effectiveness of this optical sensing approach in minimizing fluctuations from the excitation light source and highlight the potential of the AAO-supported QDs and Phenol Red composite as a reliable CO₂ sensing material. This advancement holds promise for applications in both medical and industrial fields. Full article

Copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and alkyl acrylic acids that swell and shrink in response to pH were prepared by dispersion polymerization at 35 °C using N-isopropylacrylamide (transduction monomer), methylenebisacrylamide (crosslinker), 2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-acetophenone (initiator), N-tert-butylacrylamide (transition temperature modifier), and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, and propacrylic acid (functional comonomer). The diameter of the microspheres of the copolymer varied between 0.5 µm and 1.0 µm. These microspheres were cast into hydrogel membranes prepared by mixing the pH-sensitive swellable polymer particles with aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solutions followed by crosslinking the polyvinyl alcohol with glutaric dialdehyde for use as pH sensors. Large changes in the turbidity of the polyvinyl alcohol membrane monitored using a Cary 6000 UV–visible absorbance spectrometer were observed as the pH of the buffer solution in contact with the membrane was varied. Polymer swelling was reversible for many of these NIPA-based copolymers. The buffer capacity, ionic strength, pH, and temperature of the buffer solution in contact with the membrane were systematically varied to provide an in-depth pH profile of each copolymer. A unique aspect of this study was the investigation of the response of the NIPA-based polymers to changes in the pH of the solution in contact with the membrane at low buffer concentrations (0.5 mM). The response rate and the reversibility of polymer swelling even at low buffer capacity suggest that NIPA-based copolymers can be coupled to an optical fiber for pH sensing in the environment. We envision using these polymers to monitor rising acidity levels in the ocean due to water that has become enriched in carbon dioxide that endangers shell-building organisms by reducing the amount of carbonate available to them. Full article

A dual-range mid-infrared carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor is developed with temperature and humidity compensation functionalities. Using the same optical path, the sensor employs dual-channel signal processing circuits to achieve measurements across two detection ranges of 200–3000 parts-per-million (ppm) (low concentration range) and 8–25% (high concentration range), respectively. The developed sensor, with a compact size of 8.5 × 5.5 × 3.5 cm³, shows a good linear response, with fitting goodness R² = 0.99942 for the low range and R² = 0.9993 for the high range. Under environmental conditions of 20 °C temperature and 30% relative humidity and with an averaging time of 1 s, the limits of detection are 0.15 ppm for the low range and 32.4 ppm for the high range, respectively. A temperature and humidity compensation scheme based on multiple linear regression is proposed to mitigate the impact of environmental temperature and humidity changes. The experimental results demonstrate that the relative error after compensation is reduced from 21% to 0.87%. Indoor and outdoor CO₂ measurements are performed to validate the good characteristics of the sensor system. Full article

To facilitate the effective assessment of respiratory entropy during poultry breeding, a novel oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor was developed based on the off−axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy technique, featuring effective absorption optical paths of 15.5 m and 8.5 m, respectively. The sensor employs integrated environmental control technology, substantially enhancing detection precision. To improve the instrument’s response speed, the miniaturization of the cavity and structural optimization were implemented, achieving a rapid response time of merely 6.22 s, addressing the stringent requirements for quick responsiveness in poultry respiration thermometry research. A signal processing model tailored for on−site applications was designed, boosting the system’s signal−to−noise ratio by 4.7 times under complex environmental noise conditions. Utilizing Allan variance analysis, the sensor’s detection limits for O₂ and CO₂ were ascertained to be 2.9 ppm and 7.4 ppb, respectively. A 24−h field application test conducted in Gongzhuling demonstrated that the sensor’s results align with the respiratory characteristics of poultry under normal physiological conditions, validating its extensive potential for application in respiratory analysis, environmental monitoring, and industrial sectors. Full article

Techniques for monitoring calcium carbonate and silica deposits (scale) in geothermal power plants and hot spring facilities using fiber optic sensors have already been reported. These sensors continuously measure changes in light transmittance with a detector and, when applied to field tests, require the installation of a power supply and sensor monitoring equipment. However, on some sites, a power supply may not be available, or a specialist skilled in handling scale sensors is required. To overcome this problem, we have developed a method for evaluating scale formation that is based on a batch process that can be used by anyone. In brief, this method involves depositing scale on a section of the optical fiber sensor and then fusing this section to the optical fiber and measuring it. Using this sensor, a technician in the field can simply place the sensor in the desired location, collect the samples at any given time, and send them to the laboratory to measure their transmittance. This simple and easy method was achieved by using a hetero-core type of fiber optic. This evaluation method can measure with the same sensitivity as conventional real-time methods, while its transmittance response for the sensor corresponds to the saturation index (SI) changes in the scale components in the solution due to increases in temperature and concentration. In the field of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), this evaluation method can be used to quantitatively measure the formation of carbonate minerals, and it can also be used as an indicator for determining the conditions for CO₂ mineral fixation, as well as in experiments using batch-type autoclaves in laboratory testing. It is also expected to be used in geothermal power plants as a method for evaluating scale formation, such as that of amorphous silica, and to protect against agents that hinder stable operation. Full article

Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcPCO2) monitoring provides a non-invasive alternative to measuring arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), making it valuable for various applications, such as sleep diagnostics and neonatal care. However, traditional transcutaneous monitors are bulky, expensive, and pose risks such as skin burns. To address these limitations, we have introduced a compact, cost-effective CMOS imager-based sensor for TcPCO2 detection by utilizing colorimetric reactions with metal–organic framework (MOF)-based nano-hybrid materials. The sensor, with a colorimetric sensing array fabricated on an ultrathin PDMS membrane and then adhered to the CMOS imager surface, can record real-time sensing data through image processing without the need for additional optical components, which significantly reduces the sensor’s size. Our system shows impressive sensitivity and selectivity, with a low detection limit of 26 ppm, a broad detection range of 0–2% CO₂, and strong resistance to interference from common skin gases. Feasibility tests on human subjects demonstrate the potential of this MOF-CMOS imager-based colorimetric sensor for clinical applications. Additionally, its compact design and responsiveness make it suitable for sports and exercise settings, offering valuable insights into respiratory function and performance. The sensing system’s compact size, low cost, and reversible and highly sensitive TcPCO2 monitoring capability make it ideal for integration into wearable devices for remote health tracking. Full article

A carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas sensor based on non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology has been developed and is suitable for use in portable devices for high-precision CO₂ detection. The NDIR gas sensor comprises a MEMS infrared emitter, a MEMS thermopile detector with an integrated optical filter, and a compact gas cell with high optical coupling efficiency. A dual-ellipsoid mirror optical system was designed, and based on optical simulation analysis, the structure of the dual-ellipsoid reflective gas chamber was designed and optimized, achieving a coupling efficiency of up to 54%. Optical and thermal simulations were conducted to design the sensor structure, considering thermal management and light analysis. By optimizing the gas cell structure and conditioning circuit, we effectively reduced the sensor’s baseline noise, enhancing the overall reliability and stability of the system. The sensor’s dimensions were 20 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm (L × W × H), only 15% of the size of traditional NDIR gas sensors with equivalent detection resolution. The developed sensor offers high sensitivity and low noise, with a sensitivity of 15 μV/ppm, a detection limit of 90 ppm, and a resolution of 30 ppm. The total power consumption of the whole sensor system is 6.5 mW, with a maximum power consumption of only 90 mW. Full article

The measurement of partial pressures of oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) is fundamental for evaluating a patient’s conditions in clinical practice. There are many ways to retrieve O₂/CO₂ partial pressures and concentrations. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is the gold standard technique for such a purpose, but it is invasive, intermittent, and potentially painful. Among all the alternative methods for gas monitoring, non-invasive transcutaneous O₂ and CO₂ monitoring has been emerging since the 1970s, being able to overcome the main drawbacks of ABG analysis. Clark and Severinghaus electrodes enabled the breakthrough for transcutaneous O₂ and CO₂ monitoring, respectively, and in the last twenty years, many innovations have been introduced as alternatives to overcome their limitations. This review reports the most recent solutions for transcutaneous O₂ and CO₂ monitoring, with a particular consideration for wearable measurement systems. Luminescence-based electronic paramagnetic resonance and photoacoustic sensors are investigated. Optical sensors appear to be the most promising, giving fast and accurate measurements without the need for frequent calibrations and being suitable for integration into wearable measurement systems. Full article

In the field of clinical medicine, the real-time monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas exhaled by the human body is of great significance. At present, the detection devices on the market mainly work by sucking a small amount of gas from the nasal cavity into the detection device, and they present some problems such as overly long sampling tubes, easy blockage or distortion, and an abnormal gas dispersion. In this paper, a micro/nano optical fiber sensor that can directly detect respiration is proposed and is characterized by the relative change in CO₂ concentration. The measurement is achieved by using the principle of high evanescent field absorption, and the operating band is 2.004 μm. The sensing effects of micro/nano fibers with different diameters are compared, and the experiment proves that a micro/nano fiber with a diameter of 1 μm can be measured. The light intensity change over 30 s was measured, and the breathing rate was 10–11 times/min. The sensor can achieve a rapid real-time response to CO₂ gas detection and is small in size, low-cost, and easy to replace. It has a great application potential in clinical scenarios such as in gastrointestinal endoscopes that require real-time monitoring of human respiration. Full article

Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors have proven to be promising for the gas sensing domain. However, there are challenges associated with the fabrication of high-performance, low-to-room-temperature operation sensors for methane and other gases, including hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. The functional properties of these semiconducting oxides can be improved by altering the morphology, crystal size, shape, and topology. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an attractive option for gas sensing, but the need for elevated operating temperatures has limited its practical use as a commercial gas sensor. In this work, we prepared ZnO nanorod (ZnO-NR) arrays and interconnected tetrapod ZnO (T-ZnO) network sensing platforms as chemiresistive methane sensors on silicon substrates with platinum interdigitated electrodes and systematically characterized their methane sensing response in addition to their structural and physical properties. We also conducted surface modification by photochemical-catalyzed palladium, Pd, and Pd-Ag alloy nanoparticles and compared the uniformly distributed Pd decoration versus arrayed dots. The sensing performance was assessed in terms of target gas response magnitude (RM) and response percentage (R) recorded by changes in electrical resistance upon exposure to varying methane concentration (100–10,000 ppm) under thermal (operating temperatures = 175, 200, 230 °C) and optical (UV A, 365 nm illumination) excitations alongside response/recovery times, and limit of detection quantification. Thin film sensing platforms based on T-ZnO exhibited the highest response at 200 °C (RM = 2.98; R = 66.4%) compared to ZnO-NR thin films at 230 °C (RM = 1.34; R = 25.5%), attributed to the interconnected network and effective bandgap and barrier height reduction of the T-ZnO. The Pd-Ag-catalyzed and Pd dot-catalyzed T-ZnO films had the fastest response and recovery rates at 200 °C and room temperature under UV excitation, due to the localized Pd nanoparticles dots resulting in nano Schottky barrier formation, as opposed to the films coated with uniformly distributed Pd nanoparticles. The experimental findings present morphological differences, identify various mechanistic aspects, and discern chemical pathways for methane sensing. Full article

The exploration of the ocean is essential for the exploitation of marine resources and the sustainable development of human society. In order to assess both the health and the resources of the marine environment, a variety of chemical and biological sampling is needed. Traditionally, marine samples are collected on site and transported to a laboratory for analysis. Analytical methods are often tedious, and it is difficult to know the in situ real-time status. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the development of in situ chemical and biological sensors for the typical compounds in the ocean, including methane, radon, ferrous ion, carbon dioxide, microorganisms, pollutants, nutrients and seafood. Different types of sensors for each compound are highlighted, such as novel electrochemical and optical sensors. Commercial status of different sensors is introduced, and performance of representative sensors is compared and discussed deeply. The advantages and disadvantages of each sensing technique are analyzed and evaluated in detail. Finally, future prospects and work directions are presented, such as the deployment of these in situ sensors on fixed and/or moving platforms, development of microfluidic sensors and exploration of new antifouling materials and methods. This paper could serve as a resource for developing more advanced in situ chemical sensors and biosensors for marine scientific research, as well as related practical applications for monitoring marine resource exploration and exploitation and for environmental protection. Full article

A new europium-based complex, K[Eu(hfa)₄] with hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate is synthesized and its structure confirmed via X-ray crystallography. The structure unravels an anionic octa-coordinate complex, K[Eu(hfa)₄], as opposed to the neutral hexacoordinate complex Eu(hfa)₃ routinely/ubiquitously presumed to be the case in the literature. The complex displayed pH-dependent, “on–off” emission changes in solution and exhibited a pK_a of 6.13 ± 0.06 in ethylene glycol. In solution, the sensor complex exhibited drastic variation in emission intensity corresponding to changes in the concentration of CO₂ gas purged. Based on multiple purge cycles of N₂ and CO₂, the emission intensity changes can be correlated to the concentration of CO₂ in the solution. The sensor’s ability to quantify the CO₂ presence is based on emission variations of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ line in the Eu(III) complex at 618 nm. The sensor exhibits a linear response to CO₂ concentrations in the range of 0–25% (0–8.50 mM or 0–189.95 mmHg). Based on calibration data, the limit of detection (LOD) is determined to be 0.57% (0.19 mM or 4.33 mmHg) in solution. The I₁₀₀/I₀ ratio is determined to be 80.29 ± 3.79. The percent change in intensity from purging N₂ to 100% CO₂ is 7911.16%. Over the course of seven cycles of purging different concentrations of CO₂, there is essentially no deviation in the emission intensity of the sensor in solution, indicating stability and reversibility. In addition to the analytical characterization of the sensor, the mechanism of CO₂ sensing is investigated using cyclic voltammetry, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. These data indicate the reduction of europium(III) to europium(II) in an alkaline medium and suggest changes in the hfa ligand chemistry (association/dissociation and protonation) due to CO₂ purging. The potential use of the sensor complex for real-life applications is herein evaluated via a well-known fermentation reaction. The CO₂ generated during yeast’s anaerobic respiration in sucrose media is quantified using the sensor complex and a calibrated, commercial CO₂ probe; both exhibit similar CO₂ concentration values, validating the calibration curve and the viability of the complex as a bona fide sensor. Based on the data collected, a highly stable, brightly red-emissive Eu(III) complex with the ability to differentiate concentrations of CO₂ in solution is hereby developed and characterized with benefits for various CO₂ sensing applications. Full article

Air temperature is an important meteorological parameter and is used for numerous purposes. Air temperature is usually observed using a radiation shield with ventilation, to obtain proper measurements by providing shade from direct solar radiation and increasing the heat exchange between the sensor and the atmosphere. In rural areas, such auxiliary equipment is not available and it is still a challenge to obtain the air temperature accurately without aspiration. In this study, we describe a novel, qualified, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-Microelectromechanical systems (CMOS-MEMS) low-cost sensor, dubbed Digital Thermal-MOS (TMOS), for remote temperature sensing of air temperature. The novel key ideas of this study are (i) the use of the Digital TMOS, (ii) a narrow optical bandpass filter (4.26 um +/− 90 nm) corresponding to the CO₂ carbon dioxide absorption band; (iii) simultaneously measuring the weather parameters. Full article