APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS TO THE REAL-TIME OPERATION OF CONDUCTING POLYMER SENSORS - A PATTERN-RECOGNITION APPROACH

An artificial neural network (ANN)-based pattern recognition method is adopted for conducting polymer (CP) sensors. The method is capable of creating different patterns and models based on an on-line data colle ction from a multichannel analog/digital (AD) device. The flow of info rmation is directed from the surface of the CP electrode into an AD de vice which is connected to an ANN-trained computer. The ANN software ( Turbo Neuron) used in this study accepts the data as its inputs and cr eates the best possible patterns, based on pre-selected parameters, to classify the type of ions existing in the operational environment. Th e method is recommended to be used in the field of CPs where passive a nalytical methods have not been successful in addressing reusability o f the CP electrodes.