Credit: Nirmal Patel Jacksonville, Fla. - Dr. Nirmalkumar Patel, a University of North Florida physics associate lecturer, was recently awarded a US patent for his sensor invention that will detect toxic vapors and odors in hazardous gases, industrial toxic gases and other chemical agents. His patent on "Nanocrystalline Indium Tin Oxide Sensors and Associated Method of Use" solves two major issues with detection of very low-level concentration of toxic gas in real time and operating at room temperature. Human senses are limited when detecting many odors and gases, including those of hazardous and toxic chemicals. In addition, most commercially available gas sensors require a heater to operate and are limited by operating conditions, including low-pressure environments.