Selective detection of complex gas mixtures using point contacts: concept, method and tools

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics and nanosensor technology.
• Development of novel sensing principles for complex gas mixtures.

Background:

• Conventional conductance-based nanosensors have limitations.
• Yanson point contacts possess unique quantum properties suitable for advanced sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the capability of quantum point-contact sensors for selective, real-time detection of gas mixture components.
• To showcase the application of these sensors in analyzing complex biological gas mixtures, specifically human breath.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Yanson point contacts as sensing elements in point-contact sensors.
• Analyzing human breath as a complex gas mixture to obtain a spectroscopic profile.
• Correlating sensor output signals with the concentrations of specific breath components, such as serotonin and cortisol.

Main Results:

• Quantum point-contact sensors can selectively detect gas mixture components in real time.
• A spectroscopic profile of human breath was obtained, revealing energy interactions during adsorption/desorption.
• An effective calibration function was developed for non-invasive analysis of serotonin and cortisol levels via a point-contact breath test.

Conclusions:

• Quantum point-contact sensors provide a powerful tool for analyzing complex gas mixtures.
• The developed methodology enables non-invasive, real-time monitoring of biomarkers in human breath.
• This technology has significant potential for applications in medicine and other scientific fields.