Wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology in gas sensing

Purpose This paper aims to give an overview about the state of wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensor used in the detection of chemical vapor. It also discusses a variety of different architectures including delay line and array sensor for gas detection, and it is considered that this technology has a good application prospect. Design/methodology/approach The authors state the most of the wireless passive SAW methods used in gas sensing, such as CO2, CO, CH4, C2H4, NH3, NO2, et al., the sensor principles, design procedures and technological issues are discussed in detail; their advantages and disadvantages are also summarized. In conclusion, it gives a prospect of wireless passive SAW sensor applications and proposes the future research field might lie in the studying of many kinds of harmful gases. Findings In this paper, the authors will try to cover most of the important methods used in gas sensing and their recent developments. Although wireless passive SAW sensors have been used successfully in harsh environments for the monitoring of temperature or pressure, the using in chemical gases are seldom reported. This review paper gives a survey of the present state of wireless passive SAW sensor in gas detection and suggests new and exciting perspectives of wireless passive SAW gas sensor technology. Research limitations/implications The authors will review most of the methods used in wireless passive SAW sensor and discuss the current research status and development trend; the potential application in future is also forecasted. Originality/value The authors will review most of the methods used in wireless passive SAW sensor and discuss the current research status and development trend; the potential application in future is also forecasted.