No roaring in this century’s twenties, just the fallout from COVID. However, some changes are for the better. Wearables for digital health and wellness were increasing before COVID but now digital healthcare, digital social activities, digital mental health support, and home-based fitness have even greater momentum. “Monitoring Health & Wellness Remotely: A Roadmap to Healthy […]
Is it time for printed temperature sensors?
IDTechEx thinks so. In recently updated IDTechEx report, “Printed and Flexible Sensors 2022-2032: Technologies, Players, Markets,” market researchers concluded that the “demand for printed temperature sensors is forecast to grow substantially over the next decade, with an increasing number of companies developing this technology.” The report explains that the new class (printed and flexible) of […]
What sensors are in Spot, the robotic dog?
While it has been over 6 years since the unusual gait of Boston Dynamics’ robotic dog first caught people’s attention and over 2 years since its Spot robot dog went on sale, the robot’s capabilities continue to impress. Besides going up and down stairs, its recent appearance in dance routines could be its best trick […]
How is the CMOS image sensor market doing?
A recent Strategy Analytics research report observed that the smartphone CMOS image sensor (CIS) market achieved a revenue growth of more than 10 percent year-over-year in H1 2021. Sony Semiconductor held the top spot with 42 percent revenue share followed by Samsung System LSI and OmniVision Technologies. Together, the top three vendors captured almost 80 […]
What sensors are in the SmartHolstein Lab project?
As part of Western Kentucky University’s (WKU’s) SmartHolstein Lab project, HerdDogg, a supplier of measuring and tracking sensors and systems, installed its Bluetooth® animal biometrics tags, called DoggTags, on the entire herd that’s being studied on a dairy farm. According to Melissa Brandao, HerdDogg’s founder and chief revenue officer, “The long-range tag generates biometrics on […]
What can foil sensors measure?
With their Individual design, adjustable sensor type and shape, as well as ultrathin and flexible structures, accensors, a business unit of sensor-based product developer innoME GmbH, says its foil sensors can be integrated into many new applications. Using printing, dispensing, pick and play as well as additive or ablatable processes, accensors has developed multilayer structure, […]
How can printed sensors improve automobiles?
InnovationLab, experts in printed electronics from lab to fab, says innovative sensors save costs, improve safety and boost battery life in vehicles. The innovation comes from printed sensors. Printed sensors provide a lightweight, flexible and cost-effective solution for many automotive applications. Since the sensors are ultra-thin, they can be used where other components would not […]
Where are wearable sensors worn?
Anywhere you want to wear them. While this sounds like an exaggeration, with sensors embedded in clothing and other form factors besides wrist-worn devices, it is essentially true. Image source: Rise of Wearables and future of Wearable technology INVIZA, a company that designs and builds ‘FashTech,’ announced that it is taking pre-order sales for INVIZA®SOLE […]
What is the outlook for the MEMS Sensor Market?
With their accuracy, reliability and potential to make smaller electronic devices, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors have gained considerable traction in the past few years and are poised for healthy growth in the future. Miniaturized consumer products, IoT-connected devices and wearables, typify emerging applications of MEMS sensors According to a report on MarketWatch, the global MEMS […]
What are capacitive pressure sensors?
When automotive ignition and carburetor systems initially required inputs from the engine to control spark and fuel and lower vehicle emissions, a capacitive pressure sensor was designed to specifically measure manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and barometric absolute pressure (BAP). Called a silicon capacitive absolute pressure (SCAP) sensor, it consisted of a micromachined diaphragm etched into […]
How can you sense your home’s energy consumption?
The Sense energy monitor from Sense Labs, Inc. indicates where the energy is being consumed in a home. With this information users can: Track energy use over time Identify sources of energy waste Monitor critical loads in the home Set device-level notifications Wattage is tracked through two current sensors clamped around the mains that feed […]
Can a PUF solve sensor/network vulnerabilities?
The Internet of Things (IoT) and sensors are inextricably linked. According to a recent article in Forbes, “by 2025, it is expected that there will be more than 30 billion IoT connections…and…trillions of sensors connecting and interacting on these devices.” The downside to all this connectivity is that it leaves sensors and their connected networks vulnerable to attacks. While […]
What is the difference between active and passive IR sensors?
Passive infrared (PIR), or pyroelectric PIR sensors as they are also called, detect infrared (heat) radiation in the range of 0.7 µm to 50 µm. The radiated heat can come from humans, animals, machinery and more. Common applications include: alarm systems consumer electronics human body detection automatic switches including automatic lighting A PIR sensor is […]
Are sensing events getting back to normal?
With last year’s sensing/sensor events cancelled or held virtually after COVID -19 hit, it is interesting to monitor how they are being held this year. Some recent announcements provide an indication. The 35th International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (IEEE MEMS 2022) will be held in-person in Tokyo, Japan, as well as virtually on […]
How can Wi-Fi sense without sensors?
With over 105 patents filed and pending and 45+ patents granted worldwide, Origin Wireless Inc.’s Hex Home security system uses patented Wireless AI™ technology to provide WiFi Sensing™. The Hex system consists of a home master command, remote devices and an app. Devices are located about 15 to 30 feet from each other. Installation requires […]
What is the difference between sensors for low UV, middle UV, and UV-C light?
Unlike visible light, which ranges between 380 nm and 780 nm, ultraviolet (UV) light wavelengths measure between 100 nm to 400 nm. UV is broken into subcategories known as UVA, UVB, or UVC. While UVC rays are the shortest and strongest, naturally occurring UVC rays are mostly absorbed by the atmospheric ozone layer, so they […]
What is the difference between an NTC and a PTC thermistor?
Both negative temperature coefficient (NTC) and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors’ values change as a result of temperature but impact their use differently. For NTC thermistors, as temperature increases, the resistance drops from high to low and allows current to pass through. In a circuit, they can limit in-rush current by self-heating when current is […]
How can thousands of wireless sensors be deployed without requiring battery maintenance?
Wireless applications that need continuous monitoring to save energy, detect unsafe or other avoidable conditions and need to avoid creating serious maintenance issues are prime candidates for energy harvesting. Steam trap monitoring provides an excellent example of this type of batteryless sensing. Roughly 20% of the steam leaving a typical facility’s central boiler plant in space […]
Can the AgeMeter help you?
Developed by Centers for Age Control, the AgeMeter takes user data and physiological biomarker tests to calculate functional age and provide other age-related feedback to users. Since it tests physiological biomarkers that decline with age, the AgeMeter can validate aging reversal as well as anti-aging therapies for healthcare practices, researchers, fitness programs and consumers. Intended […]
How do materials impact a sensor’s performance? Pt 2
The right materials are essential to achieve the desired sensor electrical performance, especially in many more demanding, high performance applications. Part 1 showed the performance impact of different sensor materials on infrared (IR) optical sensors. Radio frequency (RF) sensors also provide some interesting examples of a material’s impact on sensor performance. With expanding RF applications […]
How can force sensing be integrated for Industry 4.0 upgrades?
Upgrading facilities to industry 4.0 standards is one of the most significant trends in the manufacturing industry today. To do this, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are pushing hard to renovate their facilities with connected, automated devices and machines to create greater efficiency and cost savings. Smarter devices can ease the transition. For example, force measurement […]
How do materials impact a sensor’s performance?
For harsh environments, materials provide the difference between survival and failure by addressing thermal, chemical and mechanical operating requirements. However, the right materials are also essential to achieve the desired sensor electrical performance, especially in many more demanding, high performance applications. This starts with the sensing element and extends to the packaging. As one of […]
How do microphone sensors fit into a smart home?
A quick search for “sensors in the smart home” can easily identify dozens of sensors – primarily for sensing physical properties. The results could be one of many specific sensing technologies or specific products. For example, one search showed: Fire/CO detection Leak/moisture detection Window & door open and close Video doorbell Smart thermostat Motion sensors […]
What sensors make the latest Waymo Driver smarter?
You may read about the 5th-generation Waymo Driver but until you see one on the road, it is hard to appreciate the extent of its sensing capabilities. Sensors are visible everywhere on the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV. In fact, each visible mounting location has more than one sensor. To consistently obtain the amount of information […]
What is the newest use for radar in automobiles?
The use of radar in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control (ACC), automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian and cyclist detection and more has been widespread for many years. In these external vehicle applications, radar detects the speed and range of objects in the vicinity of the vehicle and typically operates at 77 […]