Sensor arrays with only one or several transducer principles? The advantage of hybrid modular systems

Artificial olfaction by means of "electronic noses" aims at the determinati on of chemical features to characterize molecules, odors, environmental con ditions, process parameters, etc. In order to achieve sufficient discrimina tion a broad spectrum of independent features has to be determined. Since t he choice of suitable materials for each individual transducer is limited, different transducers have to be combined in a sensor system to obtain a su fficiently broad discrimination power. This is illustrated for typical exam ples chosen from the food and textile industries which illustrate the advan tage of such "hybrid modular systems". (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All r ights reserved.