Acid Alert is an innovative valorization project at the Ameloot group, centered around a groundbreaking detection concept. We utilize a specific type of porous material to facilitate interaction with volatile acids. Conventionally, porous materials are used to increase adsorption in gas sensors. At low concentrations only a few molecules adsorb, leading to a minor change in material properties. High production quality of the read-out electronics is therefore required to detect these minute changes, which is incompatible with low-cost sensors. Our technology leverages the triggered collapse of these porous materials, leading to a massive change in material properties, facilitating sensor read-out and reducing cost.

This concept enables the fabrication of robust sensors at a low cost while maintaining high sensitivity. A specific material collapses at a given concentration, which can be down to the single-digit ppm-level. The concentration at which the triggered collapse occurs can be altered by finetuning the material chemistry, allowing detection at different thresholds.

With valuable input from industry partners and collaborators, we are refining our technology to meet their specific operational conditions. Currently, our focus is on advancing material chemistry and developing a handheld device for practical applications.

For more information, please contact Jorid Smets: [email protected]