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K J Albert

Publications and source records attributed to K J Albert.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Array-to-array transfer of an artificial nose classifier.

This paper describes the use of a microsphere sensor technology that allows simple fabrication of vapor sensor arrays with reproducible response patterns. Microsphere sensor fabrication protocols are uncomplicated and yield billions of highly reproducible sensors. Microsphere sensor arrays combined with a generalized Whitney-Mann-Wilcoxen (GWMW) classifier were used to discriminate between the presence and absence of nitroaromatic compounds in high background vapor mixtures. The classifier was trained on one sensor array and then used to obtain 98.2 and 93.7% correct classification rates with data collected using two subsequent arrays made up to six months after the initial training was performed. These results represent an advance in the ability to transfer training data between multiple sensor arrays with a fluorescence-based artificial nose.

Artificial Organs↗

Field-deployable sniffer for 2,4-dinitrotoluene detection.

A field-deployable instrument has been developed to detect low-level 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) vapors. The system is based on previously developed artificial nose technology and employs an array of sensory materials attached to the distal tips of an optical fiber bundle. Both semiselective and nonspecific, cross-reactive sensors were employed. Each sensor within the array responds differentially to vapor exposure so the array's fluorescence response patterns are unique for each analyte. The instrument is computationally "trained" to discriminate target response patterns from nontarget and background environments. This detection system has been applied to detect 2,4-DNT, an analyte commonly detected on the soil surface above buried 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) land mines, in spiked soil and aqueous and ground samples. The system has been characterized and demonstrated the ability to detect 120 ppb 2,4-DNT vapor in blind (unknown) humidified samples during a supervised field test.

Carcinogens↗

Optical multibead arrays for simple and complex odor discrimination.

A fiber optic bead-based sensor array platform has been employed to discriminate between six different odors and air carrier gas. Six different bead sensor types, with over 250 replicates of each, were monitored before, during, and after odor exposure to produce time-dependent fluorescence response patterns that were unique for each sensor-analyte combination. A total of 2,683 sensors were analyzed with respect to changes in their fluorescence, and signals from identical sensor beads were averaged to improve signal-to-noise ratios. Analyte classification rates of 100% were achieved for three complex (coffee bean) odors and three pure (simple) odors (toluene, acetone, 1,3-dinitrotoluene) measured at their highest relative concentrations. When lower odor concentrations were employed, the system exhibited better than 85% classification rates for analyte discrimination. Sensor response repeatability to these odor stimuli has also been quantified statistically, which is vital in defining the detection limit of the overall system. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the utility of our bead array technology for discriminating between different odor types at various dilution levels.

Journal Article↗