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Posted: May 23rd, 2012 Peratech Creates Fast-acting Electronic Nose Using QTC Technology ( Nanowerk News ) Peratech, the innovator in touch technology, is developing anElectronic Nose using its award-winning, Quantum TunnellingComposite material. This new sensor technology detects the presenceof Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) very rapidly and can recoverequally quickly, in a matter of seconds. QTC™ materials change their resistance when a force isapplied and, in this case, the polymer content of the compositeswells when exposed to VOCs. One form of Peratech's sensor uses agranular type of QTC material that provides a high surface area forabsorption enabling it to detect levels of VOCs in the region of10-100 ppm. The sensor rapidly recovers once the VOCs have gonefrom the surrounding atmosphere and it is the speed of sensing andrecovery that marks the difference between QTC sensors and thoseusing other sensing technologies. An additional feature of the QTCtechnology is that it has very low power requirements. Granular QTC used in Peratech's electronic nose. "The electronic nose application was developed in conjunction withthe Quantum Tunnelling Composite research group at the Universityof Durham," explained David Lussey, CTO of Peratech. "We are nowlooking for companies who are interested in licensing thetechnology from us to develop products." Professor David Bloor, who is involved in a long-term collaborationwith Peratech, added, "Quantum Tunnelling Composite is unique inthe area of materials science and a team of researchers andstudents have been involved in the investigation of its properties.These never cease to amaze and open up different ways in which itcan be used." The conductive particles used in the QTC Electronic Nose havenano-sized features and are distributed in a non-conductivepolymer. When a force is applied, the particles move changing theelectron flow between the particles (due to an effect calledQuantum Tunnelling) giving a measurable change in electricalresistance. In this case, the swelling forces the particles apart,which increases the resistance. The polymer used is selected forits response to the particular VOCs to be monitored. About Peratech, the Touch Technologists™ Peratech is the inventor of Quantum Tunnelling Compositetechnology. QTC materials are re-inventing the Human MachineInterface with Touch Innovation™ that improves, extends andenhances the user experience. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Display Rack Hooks , Metal Wire Shelves Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Book Display Racks.
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