at the Massachusetts institute of technology researchers are trying to develop a micro sensor, the sensor can make quite a strong reaction to trace poisonous gas, can more quickly than it has ever been device detection of toxic industrial chemical and biological warfare agents. Researchers in 2008, the micro electromechanical system (MEMS) conference introduces this research project.

The laboratory equipment is different from the past, this kind of miniature gas detector in the real environment easier to use, can be scattered arrangement in any indoor or outdoor area. The small device both reduce the rated power consumption, also can respond sensitive to more trace gases.
The researchers plan to make the whole detecting device is only a matchbox size. Detection device will use gas chromatography & mdhistriadn; Mass spectrometry technology experience to identify gas molecule, and the test results into UK Watson electronic alarm signal. The world's existing portable gas chromatograph & mdhistriadn; Mass spectrometers take 15 minutes to give the result, and effective detection range size only about a food bag volume. In terms of energy consumption, the existing portable gas sensor need thousands of joule of energy consumption, and new sensors only about 4 joule energy consumption, and can give results in four seconds.

Researchers plan completed in two years development, after the success of the research and development will be mainly applied to protect the water supply system and medical diagnosis system.