A computer program deconvolves the digitized outputs of multiple chemical sensors in an array to extract indications of the identities and con- centrations of target chemicals (which could be individual compounds or specified mixtures of compounds). Chemical-sensor arrays — denoted, variously, as electronic noses and electronic tongues — can be used for diverse purposes, including monitoring the quality of air in enclosed spaces, medical diagnosis involving specified chemical compounds or bacteria distinctive of particular diseases or infections, and monitoring the quality of food. The program follows a nonlinear-leastsquares approach to the analysis of data from a chemical-sensor array. In experiments, the program was found to be capable of identifying and quantifying both single compounds and mixtures of large numbers of compounds.
This program was written by Hanying Zhou of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393- 3425. Refer to NPO-30437.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Program Finds Target-Chemical Signals in Multisensor Outputs
(reference NPO-30437) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document presents a technical overview of a software program developed by Hanying Zhou at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for analyzing outputs from chemical sensor arrays, commonly referred to as electronic noses and tongues. This software is designed to identify and quantify both individual chemical compounds and mixtures of compounds, making it a valuable tool for various applications, including air quality monitoring in enclosed spaces, medical diagnostics, and food quality assessment.
The core functionality of the software revolves around deconvoluting the digitized outputs from multiple chemical sensors. By employing a nonlinear least-squares (NLS) data analysis approach, the program effectively extracts information regarding the identities and concentrations of target chemicals from complex response patterns generated by the sensor array. This method was chosen for its superior performance compared to other available techniques, demonstrating high success rates in both laboratory-controlled experiments and actual flight events, such as those conducted aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Flight STS-95.
The document highlights the significance of this software in addressing the challenges associated with the deconvolution and quantification of chemical mixtures. The ability to accurately identify and quantify a large number of target compounds is crucial for applications that require precise monitoring of chemical environments, such as ensuring air quality in spacecraft or diagnosing medical conditions through the detection of specific chemical markers.
Additionally, the software is available for commercial licensing, indicating its potential for broader use beyond NASA's immediate needs. Interested parties are directed to contact Don Hart at the California Institute of Technology for licensing inquiries, referencing the specific report number NPO-30437.
Overall, this document encapsulates the innovative strides made in chemical sensing technology by JPL, showcasing the practical applications of the developed software and its implications for future research and commercial endeavors in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and food safety. The work represents a significant advancement in the field of chemical analysis, leveraging sophisticated algorithms to enhance the capabilities of sensor technology.
