Faculty Mentor Information
Ben Pearson, Northwest Nazarene University
Additional Funding Sources
This publication was made possible by the NSF Idaho EPSCoR Program and by the National Science Foundation under award number OIA-1757324.
Presentation Date
7-2023
Abstract
Certain species of sagebrush extant in Idaho emit volatile organic compounds. It is of interest to the scientific community to detect these compounds to glean insight into sagebrush and sage-grouse population decline, or possible intraspecies sagebrush communication. Therefore a sensor is devised to exploit the chemiresistive properties of laser-induced graphene to this end, fabricated by means of irradiating a polyimide with coherent infrared radiation. Properties of the sensory material are discussed, including its resistive response to the compounds of interest, resistive response to temperature, signal interference from physical deformation, and long-term material degradation induced by normal use. Initial results are promising and in line with existing literature. Further research is required to fine-tune the fabrication process.
LIG for Use as a Resistive Sensor
Certain species of sagebrush extant in Idaho emit volatile organic compounds. It is of interest to the scientific community to detect these compounds to glean insight into sagebrush and sage-grouse population decline, or possible intraspecies sagebrush communication. Therefore a sensor is devised to exploit the chemiresistive properties of laser-induced graphene to this end, fabricated by means of irradiating a polyimide with coherent infrared radiation. Properties of the sensory material are discussed, including its resistive response to the compounds of interest, resistive response to temperature, signal interference from physical deformation, and long-term material degradation induced by normal use. Initial results are promising and in line with existing literature. Further research is required to fine-tune the fabrication process.