A sensor for a toxic chemical emitted by household items. Researchers have developed a sensor made of “airgel” to detect concentrations as low as eight parts per billion of the compound “formaldehyde.” The World Health Organization recommends that the level of formaldehyde in the air of offices and homes not exceed 0.1 parts per million.
The sensor is designed to be highly selective for formaldehyde, and this allows it to distinguish this compound from other VOCs more accurately.