Compact System for Colorimetric Sensor Arrays Characterization Based on Computer Screen Photo-Assisted Technology

Giovanni Gugliandolo,Giovanni Pilato,Nicola Donato

doi:10.3390/electronics10212587

Giovanni Gugliandolo, Giovanni Pilato + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10212587

Copy DOI

Journal: Electronics	Publication Date: Oct 22, 2021
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Messina, National Research Council

Abstract

The detection of the spectral fingerprint of chemical sensors through the combined use of an LCD and a webcam is an alternative approach for chemical sensor characterization. This technique allows the development of more compact, cheap, and user-friendly measurement systems compared to the more classic instruments, such as spectrometers and gas chromatography systems. In the Computer Screen Photo-assisted Technique (CSPT), a display acts as a light source, and a conventional camera (e.g., a webcam) plays the role of a detector. The light from the LCD is reflected (or transmitted) by the chemical sensor, and the camera detects it. In the present contribution, we propose a compact and low-cost platform based on CSPT for the characterization of colorimetric sensor arrays. The system can provide spectral information of both reflected and transmitted light from the sample. Further, a 2.4-inch LCD and three different detector’s (a webcam, an RGB sensor, and a camera module) performances have been evaluated and discussed. The developed system includes a UDOO-based single board computer that makes it a stand-alone measurement system.

Highlights

Chemical sensors with an optical response play a key role in industrial, environmental, and clinical fields due to their low-cost, miniaturization capability, and great flexibility [1,2,3,4,5]
The Computer Screen Photo-assisted Technique (CSPT) has been employed for volatile organic molecules detection [37]; by using image processing techniques, the authors highlighted the possibility to improve the optical fingerprints generated from the interaction process between the colorimetric sensor and the target molecules
Measurement Setup Optimization For a proper measurement system design, it is essential to know the optimal distance between the images to be acquired and the corresponding detector

Summary

Introduction

Chemical sensors with an optical response play a key role in industrial, environmental, and clinical fields due to their low-cost, miniaturization capability, and great flexibility [1,2,3,4,5]. The CSPT has been employed for volatile organic molecules detection [37]; by using image processing techniques, the authors highlighted the possibility to improve the optical fingerprints generated from the interaction process between the colorimetric sensor and the target molecules This approach enabled them to enhance the analytical performance of the instrumentation proposed. Use any type of screen available as a light source: desktops, laptops, displays or even cell phone screens; Both the spectroscopy technique, which often uses massive spectrometers, and the CSPT technique, which requires a screen to illuminate the area subject to the measure and a PC for data processing, are solutions that do not allow the analysis of the sensors to be characterized outside of a laboratory.

Materials and Methods

Results

Detectors Comparison

Measurements

Conclusions