Japanese semiconductor company Renesas Electronics developed the gas sensor at the heart of the Safera Sense smart cooking sensor.
 
The ZMOD4410 sensor lets the Safera Sense determine when airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO₂ in users’ kitchens are at unhealthy levels.
 
Safera selected the ZMOD4410 based on its combination of accuracy, reliability and low-power operation for smart cooking applications. In addition to monitoring VOC and CO₂, the Safera Sense measures humidity levels and concentrations of airborne particles, which are easily inhaled and absorbed in the lungs. Placed above the cooktop, it warns users of bad indoor air quality by sending alerts to their smartphones and displaying a warning light on the device.
 
“Cooking generates substantial amounts of VOCs, CO₂, humidity and airborne particles, and is the primary cause of bad indoor air quality in the kitchen and throughout the home,” said Debra Deininger, director of industrial sensing at Renesas. “Thanks to our ZMOD4410 gas sensor, the Safera Sense smart cooking sensor alerts users to bad air quality so they can simply open a window or turn on a vent to improve the air quality.”
 
The ZMOD4410’s combination of programmability, best-in-class stability and sensitivity in measuring VOCs makes it suitable for a wide range of indoor air quality applications, including smart thermostats, air purifiers, smart HVAC equipment and other smart home devices.
 
“We have been very impressed with the ZMOD4410’s performance and Renesas’ excellent technical support for our implementation work,” said Samuli Lintonen, director of research and development at Safera. “We believe it is one of the key enablers in creating a new generation of home safety and comfort products.”
 
The ZMOD4410 is based on metal oxide (MOx) material and each sensor is electrically and chemically tested to ensure consistency from lot to lot, an important advantage for manufacturers with long production runs. The devices are also resistant to siloxanes for reliability in harsh applications.