A New Miniaturized Sensor for Ultra-Fast On-Board Soot Concentration Measurements

In this article we present a design of a new miniaturized sensor with the capacity to measure exhaust particle concentrations on board vehicles and engines. The sensor is characterized by ultra-fast response time, high sensitivity, and a wide dynamic range. In addition, the physical dimensions of the sensor enable its placement along the exhaust line. The concentration response and temporal performance of a prototype sensor are discussed and characterized with aerosol laboratory test measurements. The sensor performance was also tested with actual engine exhaust in both chassis and engine dynamometer measurements. These measurements demonstrate that the sensor has the potential to meet and even exceed any requirements around the world in terms of on-board diagnostic (OBD) sensitivity and frequency of monitoring. Further to potential OBD applications, this has the capacity to be used as an engine and combustion diagnostics sensor, for example to detect misfiring, cylinder combustion variability, exhaust gas recirculation flowrate, etc.