New perspectives of gas sensor technology

Two recent topics important for advancing gas sensor technology are introduced. Semiconductor gas sensors have been developed so far on empirical bases but now a fundamental theory has been made available for further developments. The theory reveals the roles of physical properties of semiconductors and chemical properties of gases in the receptor function. MEMS techniques have been applied to fabrication of micro-platforms for use in gas sensors. The micro-platforms appear to provide gas sensors with new innovative function. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.