Color‑Changing Polydiacetylene Nanocomposite Sensors for Chemical and Optical Detection (Polydiacetylene and Polydiacetylene/ZnO Nanocomposite Sensors, Tech ID: 15‑007)
Technology Overview: This technology introduces polydiacetylene (PDA) and PDA/ZnO nanocomposite sensors that exhibit visible color changes in response to external stimuli. The sensing mechanism relies on molecular‑level structural transitions that alter optical properties when exposed to environmental, chemical, or biological triggers. Incorporating ZnO nanoparticles enhances sensitivity and selectivity, enabling rapid, visual detection without complex instrumentation. These sensors are adaptable to coatings, films, and portable sensing platforms.
Industry Pain Point: Many sensing technologies require expensive instrumentation and lack rapid, intuitive readouts.
NJIT Solution: These sensors provide simple, colorimetric detection with enhanced sensitivity via nanocomposite engineering.
Key Features & Advantages
- Visible color change enables immediate detection
- Enhanced sensitivity using ZnO nanocomposites
- Low‑cost and instrument‑free sensing
- Adaptable to multiple sensing formats
Development Stage: TRL 4–5 – Laboratory validation demonstrated.
Target Markets
- Environmental and chemical sensing
- Security and hazard detection
- Smart coatings and materials
Market Opportunity
- Global chemical sensor market (2026): ~$28B
- CAGR: ~7–8%
- Projected market size (2035): ~$50–55B
Commercial & IP Details
Inventors: John Federici, Zafar Iqbal, Aide Wu