Systems, devices, and methods for remotely interrogated chemosensor electronics

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for remotely interrogating sensor electronics are described. In one embodiment, a system for detecting and localizing chemical analytes is described. This system includes a plurality of chemosensor electronic devices for detecting the presence of chemical analytes. Each of these devices includes a chemosensor for sensing chemical analytes, a transponder, and an electronic circuit for activating the transponder based on an output of the chemosensor. These devices may have a cross-section area of less than 1 square micrometer. The system also includes an interrogation device for interrogating the plurality of devices and for receiving information on the detected chemical analytes from devices with activated transponders, and a processor for determining the locations of the devices with activated transponders. These locations may be forwarded to a third party.

1 . A device for detecting chemical analytes, comprising:
 a chemosensor for sensing chemical analytes;   a transponder for receiving an interrogation signal from a remote interrogation device and transmitting a signal to the remote interrogation device in response to the received interrogation signal; and   an electronic circuit for activating the transponder based on an output of the chemosensor.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chemosensor includes a Type-II bilayer heterojunction. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the Type-II bilayer heterojunction includes a fluorescent polymer layer and a conductive metal oxide layer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chemosensor has a cross-section area less than 1 square micrometer. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder is a radar transponder. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder is configured for receiving signals from the remote interrogation device from distances of at least 250 m. 
     
     
         7 . A method for detecting chemical analytes, comprising:
 sensing chemical analytes using a chemosensor;   receiving an electrical signal from the chemosensor;   activating a transponder based on the received electrical signal;   receiving an interrogation signal at the transponder from a remote interrogation device; and   transmitting a signal from the transponder to a remote interrogation device in response to the received interrogation signal.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the chemosensor includes a Type-II bilayer heterojunction. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the Type-II bilayer heterojunction includes a fluorescent polymer layer and a conductive metal oxide layer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the chemosensor has a cross-section area less than 1 square micrometer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the transponder is a radar transponder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the remote interrogation device is located at least 250 m from the transponder. 
     
     
         13 . A method for detection and localization of chemical analytes, comprising:
 deploying a plurality of chemosensor electronic devices in an area to detect the presence of the chemical analytes in the area;   activating a transponder in a respective device if analytes are detected by the respective device;   interrogating the plurality of devices to receive information on the detected analytes from devices with activated transponders;   determining the locations of the devices with activated transponders;   forwarding the determined locations to a third party.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chemosensor electronic devices have a cross-section area less than 1 square micrometer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chemosensor includes a Type-II bilayer heterojunction. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the Type-II bilayer heterojunction includes a fluorescent polymer layer and a conductive metal oxide layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chemical analytes include one of vapor-phase explosives, illegal drugs, hazardous waste, bioagents. 
     
     
         18 . A system for detecting and localizing chemical analytes, comprising:
 a plurality of chemosensor electronic devices for detecting the presence of the chemical analytes, wherein each device includes a transponder that can be activated based on the detected chemical analytes;   an interrogation device for
 interrogating the plurality of devices; and 
 receiving information on the detected chemical analytes from devices with activated transponders; 
   a processor for
 determining the locations of the devices with activated transponders; and 
 forwarding the determined locations to a third party. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the chemosensor electronic devices have a cross-section area less than 1 square micrometer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the chemosensor devices each include a Type-II bilayer heterojunction. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the Type-II bilayer heterojunction includes a fluorescent polymer layer and a conductive metal oxide layer. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the chemical analytes include one of vapor-phase explosives, illegal drugs, hazardous waste, bioagents.