Next-Generation Gas Sensing Technology to Monitor VOCs and Harmful Gases for the Agro-Industrial Complexes

Collaborative Research Program for 2025-2027

The proposed research project aims to tackle the pressing issue of food waste in Kazakhstan's agricultural sector. Annually, 30-40% of the country's fruit and vegetable production spoils due to inadequate storage solutions. Thus, this scientific project focuses on developing advanced gas sensors based on multi-doped metal oxide semiconductors enhanced with artificial intelligence. These sensors will detect spoilage-inducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful gases, ensuring early detection and better storage management. The research will be conducted over three years, starting with the engineering and characterization of gas-sensing nanomaterials. This involves synthesizing Ti-doped ZnO, Co-doped ZnO, and multi-doped Ce,M:ZnO:N (M=Ti, Co) nanofilms using a magnetron sputtering system. The second phase will investigate the gas sensing properties of these nanomaterials under various conditions. The final phase will be focused on developing a gas sensor device integrated with machine learning capabilities for real-time spoilage detection in agricultural complexes. The integration of multi-doped AI-assisted smart sensors in agriculture sector are going to enhance crop monitoring and management, boost productivity, ensure food security, reduce resource wastage, and drive socioeconomic development of Kazakhstan.