Released earlier this year, the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan addresses several areas to safely get Americans back to their more normal routines. One of the key points of the Preparedness Plan is the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge (CAiBC). The CAiBC calls on all building owners and operators, schools, colleges and universities, and organizations of […]
Want to feel better?
With its 1-mm thick RoboSkin smart fabric sensor technology, BeBop Sensors, Inc. can provide tactile awareness for humanoid robots and prosthetics so they can feel interactions similar to humans. The skin-like coverings enable a true nervous system and human-like touch sensing of objects for any part of a robot including limbs, fingers, feet, head and […]
Where is Wear this year?
In 2022, the Wear 2022 Conference will be held in Scottsdale, AZ, June 7-9, 2022, at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley, and available online as well. The annual conference examines the significant breakthroughs and new opportunities made possible through the integration of textiles and technology through wearables. Among the driving forces for wearables […]
Where is my stuff?
In today’s supply chain situation, this has to be among the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). However, even under what may have been considered normal times prior to COVID-19, it still is a legitimate FAQ. Tracking shipments that are critical or essential may allow more expensive tracking solutions but if the cost is reasonable, many […]
How can opioid metabolites be detected in wastewater?
Researchers at Boston College, Giner Labs and Boston University say the answer is a graphene electronic multiplexed sensor (GEMS) platform that enables the simultaneous sensing of four different target opioid-derived molecules in wastewater samples. The graphene-based field effect transistors detect four different synthetic and natural opioids, while shielding them from wastewater’s harsh elements. The ability […]
How does SLAM help autonomous vehicles?
SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) is used in autonomous vehicles of all types to build a map and simultaneously locate the vehicle in that map. SLAM algorithms allow the vehicle to analyze and map out unknown environments. With this map information, the vehicle can implement path planning and obstacle avoidance. Visual SLAM uses cameras and/or […]
What’s the difference between network security and physical security?
Network security involves software and computer-based hardware/firmware to provide access to the authorized and restrict access to the unauthorized. In contrast, physical or brick and mortar security starts with sensors and, if the security system is connected to the internet, it also requires the same network security measures. Protecting a residence, commercial building or an […]
How are ultrasonic MEMS sensors being used for 3D obstacle detection and collision avoidance?
In addition to radar, LiDAR and camera sensing used in 3D obstacle detection and collision avoidance in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in vehicles, ultrasonic sensing has been used as well. Traditionally, the ultrasonic sensors used transducer-based technology to provide a microphone to transmit and receive the ultrasonic signal in passenger vehicle parking applications. Using Infineon’s […]
What’s happening in medtech/wearables sensor applications?
According to Markets and Markets, the global wearable technology market is projected to grow from $115-120 B in 2021 to $260-265B in 2026 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18-20%. Sensors represent a key enabling technology in wearables. Mordor Intelligence identified examples of sensors in wearable products that include Apple Watch’s EKG capabilities […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 3
Part 1 provided background on the evolution of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and the increased use of sensors and Part 2 elaborated on sensing in more advanced HVAC systems. In this third and final part, government and industry organization’s effort to change HVAC systems and the impact on sensing will be explored. In […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 2
Part 1 provided background on the evolution of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and the increased use of sensors in these systems. Today, sensors are used both to monitor the indoor environment as well as to monitor and control the equipment that is used to cool or heat, humidify or dehumidify as well as […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 1
When Willis Carrier designed a system of fans, ducts and perforated pipes, which became the first modern electric air conditioner (AC) in 1902 (120 years ago), sensing was not part of the bill of materials. Devon Brock, Manager of Product Knowledge and Training, Sensors Group at TE Connectivity provides some insight into subsequent AC systems. […]
How do time-of-flight sensors work?
Using the time-of-flight (ToF) principle, a ToF sensor measures the distance between the sensor and an object. The sensor emits a signal that is reflected off an object and then detects the time for a round trip to occur. Typically, either light or sound waves can provide the transmitted signal. In either case, the distance […]
What sensor measurements are made using buoys?
Buoys were historically employed as simple mechanical structures to identify a safe navigation route or mark hazards such as reefs and below the surface rocks. The addition of battery and lights brought an electrical aspect to them and increased their visibility at night. These days a buoy can be part of the Internet of Things […]
How is biomarker sensing expanding?
Pathogens, infectious agents that cause disease, can include microscopic viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Both biomarkers and biosensors can detect and identify pathogenic agents. After using biomarkers to measure and detect pathogenic factors and assess biological conditions., drugs can be delivered to the target tissue so that other tissues are not damaged. Biomarkers are widely […]
How can a MEMS microphone be used in harsh environments?
The answer depends on how harsh of an environment and how much protection is required. For a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone, one of the most-harsh environments is the human body, since sweat and dirt can cause failures in traditional MEMS microphone architectures. Regarding the protection, the International Electrochemical Commission’s (IEC’s) IEC 60529 rating system defines different […]
What sensors are in a smart cane? Pt 2
Inspired by self-driving vehicles and robotics, the Augmented Cane developed by Stanford University researchers uses a LiDAR sensor to measure distance to nearby obstacles and then provide directions so users can navigate around those areas. Additional sensors in the research prototype include GPS, accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes to monitor the user’s position, speed, direction and […]
What sensors are in a smart cane? Pt 1
Blind or visually impaired individuals have to rely on other senses and typically have heightened capability – especially for hearing and touch. Using a white cane provides feedback in both of these areas. World Health Organization (WHO) data says that there are more than 253 million visually impaired people worldwide. Many of these individuals rely […]
How has sensing in industrial automation changed? (Part 3)
In Industry 4.0, another sensor-specific aspect that customers are asking for is packaging that can survive in different harsh factory environments. “When you’re putting them on an oil platform or in a factory or on a motor or in a steel mill or in a paper mill, in those really harsh environments, they need to […]
How has sensing in industrial automation changed? (Part 2)
Sensing has changed a lot since the early days of industrial automation. “Back 250 years ago, your sensors were actually people. They were your manufacturing engineers that would walk around and listen to the machines and hear what’s going on,” says John Tuley, from IoT Business Development -Sensor Solutions at TE Connectivity. In Industry 4.0, […]
How are multi-axis sensors improving product development?
With a multi–axis sensor design, a single load cell sensor can measure 3 axes of force and 3 torque moments simultaneously. These sensors consist of multiple bridges that precisely measure the applied force from one direction with minimal crosstalk from the other axes. Using a multi-axis sensor, forces can be measured simultaneously in three mutually […]
How has sensing changed in industrial automation? (Part 1)
The Industrial Revolution or what we might call Industry 1.0 started over 250 years ago. In 1771 Richard Arkwright, today known as Father of the Factory System, used water to power the first fully automated spinning mill. One hundred years later, the automotive assembly line initiated the Second Industrial Revolution or Industry 2.0 with significantly […]
What sensing events will be held in 2022?
January is a great time to line up major sensing activities for the rest of the year. The following provide an idea of what will occur in 2022 for sensor experts to attend or present the results of their recent efforts. Fast approaching, the 7th Annual Sensors Global Summit 2022 will be held March 2-3 […]
How can you sense ripening fruit?
A diet high in fruit (and vegetables) can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, inflammation and diabetes. But the fruit needs to be fresh for a sustainable, healthy diet. Several techniques are being used to detect ripening fruit. One company, smartGAS in Germany, has two different sensors to detect the ethylene (C2H4) that […]
How can you see through walls?
It depends on what you want to “see” and how much you want to pay. To locate a stud, the old school technique of tapping a tool on the wall for acoustic differences used hearing rather than sight and it was free. Initially, battery-operated stud finders used magnets to find screws and nails and provided […]