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PUBLICATIONS

Microsensors for Mars: Trace Analyte Detection in a Simulated Martian Environment

Published

Author(s)

Kurt D. Benkstein, Phillip H. Rogers, Christopher B. Montgomery, C. Jin, Baranidharan Raman, Stephen Semancik

Abstract

Chemiresistive microsensor arrays are being developed and tested in a simulated Martian environment. Target analyte species include trace small molecules that may indicate current geological or, potentially, biological activity on Mars. The sensing films are based upon robust, nano-structured metal oxide materials, including doped and undoped tin oxide, tungsten oxide and indium oxide. In combination with dynamic operating temperatures and advanced signal processing, we show in this presentation the capabilities of the microsensor arrays for analyte discrimination and quantification at target levels below 500 nmol/mol in a simulated Martian environment. The simulated environment uses a carbon dioxide-rich background and low temperature and pressure.
Proceedings Title
14th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors
Conference Dates
May 20-23, 2012
Conference Location
Nuremberg
Pub Type
Conferences

Keywords

chemical microsensor, gas-phase sensing, sensor arrays, Mars
Analytical chemistry, Polymers and Nanomaterials

Citation

Benkstein, K. , Rogers, P. , Montgomery, C. , Jin, C. , Raman, B. and Semancik, S. (2014), Microsensors for Mars: Trace Analyte Detection in a Simulated Martian Environment, 14th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors, Nuremberg, -1 (Accessed October 15, 2025)

Issues

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Created May 23, 2014, Updated February 19, 2017
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