journal article·2026-01-30Open access

Integrated Methane Sensor Prototype Based on H-QEPAS Technique with a 3D-Printed Gas Chamber

Jingze Cai, Yanjun Chen, Hanxu Ma, Shunda Qiao, Ying He, Qi Li, Tongyu Dai, Yufei Ma

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 3

Abstract

In the paper, a heterodyne quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (H-QEPAS)-based integrated methane (CH4) sensor prototype is reported. The CH4 absorption line located at 1650.96 nm was selected as the target spectral line. The design features an integrated, 3D-printed gas chamber for reduced size and weight. To realize the coordinated operation of each hardware component, a control program was designed based on LabVIEW platform, enabling the adjustment of various hardware parameters. The piezoelectric signal generated by the quartz tuning fork (QTF) was amplified via a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), acquired by a data acquisition card (DAQ), and then transmitted to a virtual lock-in amplifier (LIA) on the PC terminal for processing. The dimensions of the integrated CH4 sensor prototype are 33 cm in length, 27 cm in width, and 15 cm in height. The final test results demonstrate that the sensor prototype exhibits an excellent concentration linear response, with a detection limit of 26.72 ppm and a short detection time of approximately 4 s.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Spectroscopy and Laser Applications · Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics · Gas Sensing Nanomaterials and Sensors

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

National Key Laboratory of Laser Spatial Information, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Heilongjiang Postdoctoral Fund · Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Open Subject of Hebei Key Laboratory of Advanced Laser Technology and Equipment

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