CeNS Develops Portable Sensor to Detect Sulfur Dioxide at Trace Levels

The newly developed CeNS sensor addresses these challenges with high sensitivity, portability, and ease of use.

Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)- have developed a compact, low-cost sensor capable of detecting toxic sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas at very low concentrations.

The team fabricated the sensor by combining two metal oxides: nickel oxide (NiO), which acts as the gas receptor, and neodymium nickelate (NdNiO₃), which functions as the transducer to transmit the detection signal. 

According to CeNS, this combination enables the sensor to detect SO₂ at concentrations as low as 320 parts per billion (ppb), significantly surpassing the sensitivity of many commercial sensors.

SO₂, a known air pollutant, is primarily released from vehicular and industrial emissions. Even minimal exposure can cause respiratory irritation, trigger asthma attacks, and result in long-term lung damage. Due to its subtle presence in ambient air, it often remains undetected until it begins to affect health.

Real-time monitoring of SO₂ is critical for environmental and public health, yet many existing technologies remain cost-prohibitive, energy-consuming, or ineffective at detecting low-level exposure. 

The newly developed CeNS sensor addresses these challenges with high sensitivity, portability, and ease of use.

The sensor represents a step forward in improving air quality monitoring and minimizing exposure to hazardous gases in urban and industrial environments.

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