Electronic Sensor Technology Inc. (EST) has revolutionized chemical vapour analysis with its patented zNose® technology.
This breakthrough system combines rapid gas chromatography (GC) with advanced detection capabilities (SAW), enabling precise trace analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Evaluation Criteria:
THROUGHPUT:
- 2 minutes or less for detection
- Multiple samples, multiple tests/sample per run
- 349-96 samples every 2 hours
- The system or device is currently semi-automated
- Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
- 0-1 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
- 1 component
- 5-10 minutes is required for set-up
- 3-5 steps are required for detection
LOGISTICS:
- Three to five days of training and significant technical skills are required
- Approximately the size of a carry-on luggage suitcase
- Between 5 and 25 kg, depending on model
- Wireless and wired connections are available
- System or device uses batteries and/or line power
- 4-8 hours battery life
DETECTION:
- Less than 10 µL
- Excellent specificity. System has occasional false alarms under certain conditions (<2%)
- 1 ppb-1 ppm
- System currently can identify liquid chemical agent
The zNose is one of the most sensitive instruments for real-time monitoring of hundreds of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as acetone, acetaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, benzene, xylene and many others, including some inorganic compounds, present in air.
The dynamic range of the zNose is C4 - C24.
The zNose's speed and sensitivity makes it an invaluable instrument across a wide range of applications, including:
- Homeland Security (explosive and narcotic trace detection)
- Life Sciences (breath analysis, TB diagnosis)
- Chemical and Petrochemical Industries (Rapid VOC analysis, C4-C24)
- Food and Beverage (TCA detection in cork; olive oil & tomato provenance)
- Environmental Monitoring (Per- and poly-fluoroally substances (PFAS)
With each sample cycle taking around 90-180 seconds, the zNose delivers rapid detection and analysis of VOCs in near-realtime.
In use in laboratories, multi-nationals, research centres and academic institutions worldwide, the zNose has proven a unique and versatile tool for scientists and researchers.
Unmatched Sensitivity and Speed.
The Model 4600 zNose® offers real-time volatile organic compound (VOC) detection and analysis with parts-per-trillion (ppt) sensitivity.
It excels in both qualitative and quantitative assessments, making it indispensable for researchers and industries requiring exceptional precision and efficiency.
Applications Across Diverse Industries
- Chemical Analysis: Detects VOCs in chemical and petrochemical processes with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
- Plastics: Evaluates VOC emissions in production and packaging environments.
- Fragrance and Odour Management: Produces olfactory images for precise aroma chemistry analysis.
- Provenance determination for valuable produce, such as EVO and tomatoes - verify the origin and age of the foodstuffs.
- Plant ecosystems, determining growth stage of plants by monitoring and analysing their VOCs over the life cycle.
- Explosives detection and analysis, C4 to DNT the zNose detects all known explosives.
- Narcotics detection and analysis.
- trichloroanisole (TCA) in wine detection and analysis.
At TechMondial we have over twenty years worth of real-world experience with the zNose - from major consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to highly-specialised academic research chemists, the zNose is uniquely admired by those demanding precision and performance, quickly and repeatedly.
The zNose® is making advanced chemical analysis accessible to:
• Security and threat detection
• Environmental and industrial VOC monitoring
• Clinical and biomarker discovery
The future of chemical analysis isn’t just about higher sensitivity—it’s about specificity, speed, and impact.
Let’s push the boundaries of analytical science together.
Many leading PhD chemists worldwide rely on the zNose's remarkable capabilities - in the lab and in the field. Discover why with TechMondial.
Advantages Over Traditional Methods:
- Eliminates the need for slow, expensive analysis typical of MS technology.
- Detects concurrent VOCs in one sample.
- Offers rapid, real-time analysis even in high-traffic areas like quality control for production facilities.
- Sample time, included sensor bake-off, is less than 180 seconds.
- Fully man-portable allowing field research and testing for VOCs
The zNose is available with a bespoke ruggedised compact roller case with detachable sampling nose for maximum flexibility and range of operation.
The Model 3300 Remote Sampling Kit extends the range and sensitivity of the zNose GC/SAW as well as enabling the inspection of hard-to-reach areas like ventilation ducts.
Using the 'SlickStick' - a Tenax filled stainless steel tube and a battery-powered handheld pump, the analyte is captured and then desorbed into the zNose instrument.
This method increases concentrations of VOCs of interest, all of which are revealed concurrently from a single sample.
The zNose delivers ppt-level sensitivity for precise, near-instantaneous detection and analysis of compounds of interest.
The instrument has a dynamic range of C4-C24 and measures the unique molecular weight of each in near realtime.
"Did you ever measure a smell? Can you tell whether one smell is just twice strong as another? Can you measure the difference between two kinds of smell and another? It is very obvious that we have very many different kinds of smells, all the way from the odour of violets and roses up to asafetida. But until you can measure their likeness and differences, you can have no science of odour. If you are ambitious to find a new science, measure a smell."
— Alexander Graham Bell, 1914
TechMondial is your trusted partner for EST zNose® solutions, offering expert pre- and post-sales support and service; ensuring the success of your security and analytical projects.
Twenty-one years of zNose expertise at your fingertips.
