Asahi Kasei : “MSS Forum” Launched to Promote the Establishment of a De Facto Standard for Olfactory IoT Sensing Systems

Developed by NIMS group leader Genki Yoshikawa et al, the MSS is a groundbreaking sensor device that is ultra-compact and sensitive to odors. When molecules adsorb on the receptor layer of the MSS, stress induced in the receptor layer causes electrical resistance change in the detection parts, enabling target molecules to be measured (see the diagrams below). Capable of detecting trace amounts of various substances in the air or liquids with high sensitivity, the MSS has potential for application in a wide range of fields such as medicine, food industry, environmental assessment and safety assurance.

Schematics of the MSS. When the receptor layer coated on the center membrane of the sensor absorbs molecules, induced surface stress is detected by piezoresistors embedded on four narrow beams around the membrane.