Abstract
We report on the design and characterization of a novel analytical sensing system for the detection and discrimination of various detergents. Our sensor system could play a key role in the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly washing machines by enabling the measurement of residual detergents. The sensing device comprises of a dual shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) resonator device housed in a poly- dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chamber. Unmetalized and electrically shorted device configurations were used to analyze synthetic samples of liquid detergents of different concentrations. The sensor system correctly classified all three detergents without the need for an additional biological or chemical coating. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
