SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OXYGEN SENSING

An oxygen sensing system comprises a substrate structured to communicate optical signals. An oxygen sensing layer is disposed on the substrate and comprises an oxygen sensing molecule in a matrix in a first unexcited state and formulated to: (a) be excited by a first optical signal to move to a second state; (b) be quenched in the second state by oxygen; and (c) emit a second optical signal corresponding to an amount of oxygen. A protective layer is disposed on the oxygen sensing layer. The protective layer includes at least one of i) an oleophobic layer configured to protect the oxygen sensing layer from hydrocarbons and organic solvents and ii) an anti-fouling layer configured to protect the oxygen sensing layer from biofouling. A controller is optically coupled to the substrate and structured to generate the first optical signal, receive the second optical signal and determine oxygen concentration from the second optical signal.