Skoltech has been granted a patent No. 2866752 for an optical sensor designed to detect vapors and gases, opening up new possibilities for the development of compact sensing systems for industrial applications, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.

The key challenge facing most optical gas sensors is their lack of selectivity. While they can detect changes in the refractive index of the surrounding medium, they are unable to identify which specific substance caused the change. Traditionally, selectivity is achieved through chemical functionalization of the surface — applying substances that bind selectively to molecules of particular vapors and gases. However, this approach makes sensors expensive and difficult to manufacture, and limits their service life.

The new Skoltech development is based on a combination of a Bragg mirror and a nanostructured thin metal film. Unlike most existing optical gas sensors, selectivity is achieved not through chemical reactions on the active surface, but through specially designed nanostructures that enable selective capillary condensation of gaseous substances. This allows the sensor to determine both the qualitative and quantitative composition of gas mixtures, while remaining reusable with no degradation of its active area. The sensor supports remote, battery‑free monitoring with a fully reversible measurement cycle and is compatible with distributed fiber‑optic systems.

The technology could underpin a new generation of sensors for continuous process control, emissions monitoring, industrial safety systems, environmental analysis, and non‑invasive diagnostics via breath analysis — for example, detecting markers of diabetes (acetone), liver or kidney dysfunction (ammonia), and respiratory infections.

“The device architecture allows for miniaturization and integration into portable instruments, potentially offering a simpler and more cost‑effective production route compared to some existing solutions,” commented Professor Vasily Fedotov from the Skoltech Photonics Center and one of the patent’s authors.

The patent expands Skoltech’s portfolio of photonic sensing technologies and provides a foundation for collaboration with industrial partners interested in developing intelligent gas monitoring systems and specialized analytical instruments.