Peratech,
the innovator in touch technology, is developing an electronic nose using its Quantum
Tunnelling Composite (QTC) material. This new sensor technology detects the
presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) very rapidly and can recover
equally quickly, in a matter of seconds.

QTC materials change their resistance when a force is
applied and, in this case, the polymer content of the composite swells when
exposed to VOCs. One form of Peratech’s sensor uses a granular type of QTC
material that provides a high surface area for absorption enabling it to detect
levels of VOCs in the region of 10 to 100 ppm. The sensor rapidly recovers once
the VOCs have gone from the surrounding atmosphere and it is the speed of
sensing and recovery that marks the difference between QTC sensors and those
using other sensing technologies. An additional feature of the QTC technology
is that it has very low power requirements.

“The electronic nose application was developed in
conjunction with the Quantum Tunnelling Composite research group at the University of Durham,” explained David Lussey,
CTO of Peratech. “We are now looking for companies who are interested in
licensing the technology from us to develop products.”

Professor
David Bloor, who is involved in a long-term collaboration with Peratech, added,
“Quantum Tunnelling Composite is unique in the area of materials science
and a team of researchers and students have been involved in the investigation
of its properties. These never cease to amaze and open up different ways in
which it can be used.”

Peratech, www.peratech