NevadaNano (NevadaNanotech Systems, Inc.) develops and manufactures Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based sensor modules and subsystems for a diverse array of commercial and government applications. The products are used by system integrator partners and by system manufacturers because they benefit from the unique characteristics of our sensors — namely small size, low cost, unattended operation, and the ability to detect a broad range of threats with a single, standard sensor configuration.

The patented sensor technology was developed at the University of Nevada, Reno. Early R&D was supported by DARPA, the DOD, and the Department of Homeland Security. As a result, NevadaNano was founded in 2004. The company has now turned its focus to commercial applications, specifically, Internet of Things (IOT) enabled distributed gas sensing.

NevadaNano has spent a decade integrating multiple, complementary chemical sensors on a single silicon chip. We call it the Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPS™). The MPS™ Gas Sensor works together to measure a variety of thermodynamic and electrostatic molecular properties of sampled vapors, liquids, and particles. In less than a second, the chip creates a large, rich dataset of chemical information. Then, Custom MPS™ software identifies the types of molecules present in an unknown sample.

The chip is an example of a microelectro mechanical systems (MEMS) because it exploits the many inherent advantages of MEMS. With its robust industrial design, the MPS™ doesn’t drift, decay, or poison and requires no maintenance over its lifetime. And with its data-rich reporting capabilities, the MPS™ will instantly let you know if a fault exists and why.

Additionally, in a span of milliseconds, the sensors can heat to hundreds of degrees Celsius, make a variety of high-precision thermal measurements, then cool back to room temperature. Various components of the system can detect picogram-scale masses and measure temperature with 0.01-degree resolution. It can operate in temperatures from -40°C to 75°C and all non-condensing humidity levels.

The chip incorporates a patented array of micro-cantilevers with integrated piezoelectric sensing elements that provide electrical actuation and sensing of resonance frequency. Monitoring resonance is a highly sensitive way to measure very small masses of adsorbed analyte. An array of sensors can be electrically monitored in a low-cost, robust fashion because of the unique piezoelectric configuration the MPS™ allows. Whereas, the more common alternative of using an optical readout is more expensive but less robust.

All MPS™ sensors have built-in resistive heaters so an assortment of thermal analyses (e.g. Differential Scanning Calorimetry) can be conducted. Also, this allows for the cleaning of each sensor after processing a sample. When necessary, these resistors also enable temperature and flow compensation in order to minimize sensor noise and drift and further enhance sensitivity.