In addition to healthcare, another prominent use of object recognition has emerged as the capability to see further than ever before has increased dramatically. The James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST’s) ability to see further also results in a considerable increase in astronomical images. Sifting through these images for new information about the beginnings of the […]

In your home, sensors can detect hazardous and dangerous situations that directly and imminently impact the homeowner or other people in the home. These situations could include a fire that can damage the home and even endanger its inhabitants, hazardous chemicals, such as natural gas, that only affects human inhabitants, burglary that can impact both […]

In addition to its use in facial recognition, artificial intelligence (AI) also plays a critical role in advancing object recognition. Perhaps one of key and leading-edge applications for AI is in image recognition and diagnostics in healthcare. According to a technology assessment report published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) with content from the […]

While knowledge of and familiarity with ChatGPT (an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot) are quite common, the specific impact of AI on sensors is not. With the increasing use of AI in products and systems, Raj Khattoi, Sr. Director of Sensor Systems and IoT at Infineon Technologies gave SensorTips some answers to specific questions. SensorTips: With […]

Beyond its ability to improve facial recognition for home security (discussed in Part 1), artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied in several other areas. TSA The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses two types of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) to verify the identity of travelers. First generation CAT units scan a traveler’s photo identification (ID) and […]

Among the growing number of applications for artificial intelligence (AI) is advanced imaging capabilities for reliable facial recognition. Reliability is required for effective analysis by law enforcement agencies, access to commercial or industrial complexes, travel, or even a homeowner. While AI enables complex analysis and performs it in a remarkably short timeframe, effective analysis requires […]

Whenever a bridge collapses, sensor engineers propose the use of the latest and various technologies to prevent future catastrophes and the loss of human life. For example, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology was proposed for bridge monitoring after the 2007 collapse of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. With more than 617,000 bridges […]

Active noise cancellation (ANC) has been part of automakers’ quest for the ultimate high-end vehicle experience for over 40 years. Eliminating or reducing engine and combustion-process related noises including exhaust noise was part of the initial implementation and road-tire, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, vibration, and wind related noises have always been targets […]

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates, 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. In addition to an industrial environment with heavy assembly/processing machinery or a construction site, the workplace can include a sports venue, a tarmac, or a wide-open space when the job includes machinery that […]

According to the proverb, “seeing is believing,” but hearing something before you can see it can be very important, too. The earliest humans heard and recognized the sounds of predators long before they could see them. If they could see them — it was probably too late to take evasive action. While sound has always […]

As the recent loss of OceanGate’s Titan tourist vessel has revealed, exploring in the ocean’s depths is very risky business. To see the Titanic up close and personal, the Titan would have to travel to a depth of 3,800 m (12,467 ft), where the pressure is 382.45 bar (5,547.14 psi or 38,246.06 kPa). It turns […]

Paranormal does not usually imply a scientifically sound phenomenon. However, when science is used to verify the observation, the situation changes. This is where a variety of sensors come into play. After all, it is called extra sensory perception (ESP). In the United States, a push in the scientific community to empirically study paranormal experiences […]

Traditionally, summer wildfires are associated with California and the west coast. With the recent Canadian wildfires spreading smoke and dense particulates to extensive areas in the eastern and southern U.S., monitoring outdoor particulates has become an important topic for areas of the U.S. that are not normally that interested. On June 8, the U.S. National […]

Robots need numerous sensors and various sensing technologies to perform a variety of functions. However, for human-robot Interaction, the most important sensing could be performed in the skin — especially in those robots designed to be as lifelike as possible and physically interface with (touch) humans. To enhance the collaboration between humans and machines, the […]

Since the earliest days of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor products, the goal of easily combining the sensing structures made using MEMS processing with the required signal conditioning has driven many sensor R&D labs. If successful, the solution would make the resulting devices more useful in a broader range of applications. In the 1980s, the circuitry […]

In general, three-dimensional (3D) printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model. With 3D bioprinting, the 3D constructs are living cells, biomaterials, bioactive components and more. In the 21st Century, the generation and transplantation of several tissues, including multilayered skin, bone, vascular grafts, tracheal splints, heart tissue […]

Some of the earliest uses for sensors that emerged over a hundred years ago involved direct actuation for control. Think of the mercury thermostat. A thermally responsive coil moves with changes in temperature and tilts a mercury chamber until it closes a set of contacts to turn on a heater in the home or office […]

Quantum sensors measure minute changes in electric and magnetic fields as well as motion and the measurements are made at the atomic level. At this scale, information from individual atoms instead of from huge collections of atoms allows quantum sensors to make exponentially more accurate, more thorough, more efficient and more productive measurements. Using the […]

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) activated prosthetics and other applications need sensors to provide feedback. Intensive work has been and continues to be done in this area. For example, researchers have reported their progress on an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based motor imagery BCI to control the movement of a prosthetic hand. The hand was instrumented with force and angle […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ongoing efforts to address the unintended contamination and purposeful contamination of the nation’s water supplies. Sensing technologies are an integral part of the strategy. In 2023, the EPA proposed new limits to drinking water contamination from toxic “forever chemicals” or per fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Used widely […]

Part 1 of this three-part blog addressed air quality monitoring in cities and populated areas. Less densely populated areas such as a rain forest may require different approaches. In addition, water quality monitoring in outdoor locations as well as clean drinking water from processing stations provide additional sensing opportunities. Part 2 will address these areas. […]

Clean air and water are essential for life. Protecting these valuable, and in many cases, limited essential elements, starts with sensors to detect threats from intentional or unintentional contamination. Today, available sensing technologies target different locations/areas to ensure the safe ongoing supply of fresh air and water. Using a variety of different sensing techniques, the […]

Energy storage is an essential part of the pursuit for the increased use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar geothermal and hydroelectric power. Electrolyzers allow hydrogen-based storage and avoid the reliance on batteries and their raw materials such as lithium, graphite and cobalt that are frequently sourced from China. When renewable energy sources […]

Part 1 of this blog discussed sensors in the laundry room in washing machines and dryers. In the kitchen, similar to the laundry room, basic functions can be designed in using established sensing techniques. In the typical home, the refrigerator is the second-largest consumer of electricity (13.7%), with the air conditioner being number one. So, […]

Today’s home appliances are increasingly connected for remote monitoring and control and smarter due, in part, to numerous sensors. The sensors help even lower end appliances implement their basic functions and, more importantly, enable smarter, top end appliances. While sensors provide these capabilities for several home appliances, this two-part series will describe sensing functions for […]