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11 – 20 of 282Anindya Bose, Sarthak Sengupta and Sayori Biswas
This study aims to provide a microfluidic blood glucose sensing platform based on integrated interdigitated electrode arrays (IDEAs) on a flexible quartz glass substrate, adhering…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a microfluidic blood glucose sensing platform based on integrated interdigitated electrode arrays (IDEAs) on a flexible quartz glass substrate, adhering closely to pertinent electrochemical characterizations.
Design/methodology/approach
Sensors are the key elements of the modern electronics era through which all the possible physical quantities can be detected and converted into their equivalent electrical form and processed further. But to make the sensing environment better, various types of innovative architectures are being developed nowadays and among them interdigitated electrodes are quite remarkable in terms of their sensing capability. They are a well-qualified candidate in the field of gas sensing and biosensing, but even their sensitivities are getting saturated due to their physical dimensions. Most of the thin film IDEAs fabricated by conventional optical lithographic techniques do not possess a high surface-to-volume ratio to detect the target specified and that reduces their sensitivity factor. In this context, a classic conductive carbon-based highly sensitive three dimensional (3D) IDEA-enabled biosensing system has been conceived on a transparent and flexible substrate to measure the amount of glucose concentration present in human blood. 3D IDEA possesses a way better capacitive sensing behavior compared to conventional thin film microcapacitive electrodes. To transmit the target biological analyte sample property for the detection purpose to the interdigitated array-based sensing platform, the design of a microfluidic channel is initiated on the same substrate. The complex 3D Inter Digital array structure improves the overall capacitance of the entire sensing platform and the reactive surface area as well. The manufactured integrated device displays a decent value of sensitivity in the order of 5.6 µA mM−1 cm−2.
Findings
Development of a low-cost array-based integrated and highly flexible microfluidic biochip to extract the quantity of glucose present in human blood.
Originality/value
Potential future research opportunities in the realm of integrated miniaturized, low-cost smart biosensing systems may arise from this study.
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This article gives an overview on the currently available techniques for the measurement of interface pressure or force between (soft) objects. These techniques make use of single…
Abstract
This article gives an overview on the currently available techniques for the measurement of interface pressure or force between (soft) objects. These techniques make use of single sensor elements as well as integrated arrays of sensors to obtain pressure maps. Most of these devices originate from biomedical applications such as the evaluation of wheelchairs and the prevention of pressure ulcers in hospital beds. Today, these technologies are used in a wide range of applications such as computer peripherals, robotics, automotive systems and consumer electronics. These typical applications are considered in the first section. Next, the sensor technologies (and their suppliers) are briefly described and compared. The list of suppliers and technologies is intended as an overview and may not be complete. Finally, new developments in this field are discussed.
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Junhui Zhang, Sai Zhang, Yuhua Yang and Wendong Zhang
Based on the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology, acoustic emission sensors have gained popularity owing to their small size, consistency, affordability and easy…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology, acoustic emission sensors have gained popularity owing to their small size, consistency, affordability and easy integration. This study aims to provide direction for the advancement of MEMS acoustic emission sensors and predict their future potential for structural health detection of microprecision instruments.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper summarizes the recent research progress of three MEMS acoustic emission sensors, compares their individual strengths and weaknesses, analyzes their research focus and predicts their development trend in the future.
Findings
Piezoresistive, piezoelectric and capacitive MEMS acoustic emission sensors are the three main streams of MEMS acoustic emission sensors, which have their own advantages and disadvantages. The existing research has not been applied in practice, and MEMS acoustic emission sensor still needs further research in the aspects of wide frequency/high sensitivity, good robustness and integration with complementary metal oxide semiconductor. MEMS acoustic emission sensor has great development potential.
Originality/value
In this paper, the existing research achievements of MEMS acoustic emission sensors are described systematically, and the further development direction of MEMS acoustic emission sensors in the future research field is pointed out. It provides an important reference value for the actual weak acoustic emission signal detection in narrow structures.
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Wenqing Kan, Ying Huang, Xiao Zeng, Xiaohui Guo and Ping Liu
The purpose of this paper is to present a dual-mode proximity sensor composed of inductive and capacitive sensing modes, which can help the robot distinguish different objects and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a dual-mode proximity sensor composed of inductive and capacitive sensing modes, which can help the robot distinguish different objects and obtain distance information at the same time. A systematic study of sensor response to various objects and the function of cooperation sensing is needed. Furthermore, the application in the field of robotic area needs to be discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
Numerical modeling of each sensing modes and simulations based on finite element analysis method has been carried out to verify the designed dual-mode sensor. A number of objects composed of different materials are used to research the cooperation perception and proximity sensing functions. In addition, the proposed sensor is used on the palm of a mechanical hand as application experiment.
Findings
The characteristics of the sensor are summarized as follows: the sensing range of inductive mode is 0-5.6 mm for detecting a copper block and the perceive range of capacitive mode is 0-5.1 mm for detecting a plastic block. The collaborative perceive tests validated that the non-ferromagnetism metals can be distinguished by inductive mode. Correspondingly, ferromagnetism metals and dielectric objects are differentiated by capacitive mode. Application experiments results reveal that both plastic bottle and steel bottle could be detected and differentiated. The experimental results are in agreement with those of simulations.
Originality value
This paper provides a study of dual-mode proximity sensor in terms of design, experiments and application.
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Thick‐film technology to implement passive elements, network and hybrid circuits has been widely used for four decades and its importance is still growing. While on one hand the…
Abstract
Thick‐film technology to implement passive elements, network and hybrid circuits has been widely used for four decades and its importance is still growing. While on one hand the technology has been improved to meet the requirements for more sophisticated circuits, on the other hand a better knowledge of its outstanding properties has promoted its application to a certain number of sometimes exotic devices, many of which are in the sensor and actuator area. This paper presents examples of a variety of applications to illustrate what thick film technology can offer outside the familiar area, and to stimulate the imagination of scientists towards possible new applications.
A. Arshak, K. Arshak, G. Lyons, D. Waldron, D. Morris, O. Korostynska and E. Jafer
Telemetry capsules have existed since the 1950s and were used to measure temperature, pH or pressure inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It was hoped that these capsules would…
Abstract
Purpose
Telemetry capsules have existed since the 1950s and were used to measure temperature, pH or pressure inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It was hoped that these capsules would replace invasive techniques in the diagnosis of function disorders in the GI tract. However, problems such as signal loss and uncertainty of the pills position limited their use in a clinical setting. In this paper, a review of the capabilities of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for the fabrication of a wireless pressure sensor microsystem is presented.
Design/methodology/approach
The circuit requirements and methods of data transfer are examined. The available fabrication methods for MEMS sensors are also discussed and examples of wireless sensors are given. Finally, the drawbacks of using this technology are examined.
Findings
MEMS for use in wireless monitoring of pressure in the GI tract have been investigated. It has been shown that capacitive pressure sensors are particularly suitable for this purpose. Sensors fabricated for wireless continuous monitoring of pressure have been reviewed. Great progress, especially using surface micromachining, has been made in recent years. However, despite these advances, some challenges remain.
Originality/value
Provides a review of the capabilities of MEMS.
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Javad Dargahi, Mojtaba Kahrizi, Nakka Purushotham Rao and Saeed Sokhanvar
To measure the force applied to the tissue, the traditional endoscopic graspers might be equipped with a kind of tactile force sensor.
Abstract
Purpose
To measure the force applied to the tissue, the traditional endoscopic graspers might be equipped with a kind of tactile force sensor.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents the design, analysis, microfabrication and testing of a piezoelectric and capacitive endoscopic tactile sensor with four teeth. This tactile sensor, which is tooth‐like for safe grasping, comprises a Polyvinylidene Fluoride, PVDF film for high sensitivity and is silicon‐based for micromachinability. Being a hybrid sensor, employing both capacitive and piezoelectric techniques, it is possible to measure both the static and dynamic loads. Another feature, to be considered in its design, is the ability to detect pulse. The proposed sensor can be integrated with the tip of any current commercial endoscopic grasper without changing its original design. It is shown that using an array of sensor units, the position of the applied load can still be determined.
Findings
The static response of the sensor is obtained by applying a static force on the tooth and measuring the change in capacitance between the bottom electrode of the PVDF film and the electrode deposited on the surface of the etched cavity. The dynamic response of the device is determined by applying a sinusoidal force on the tooth of the sensor and measuring the output voltage from the PVDF film. The experimental results are compared with both analytical and finite element results. The sensor exhibits high sensitivity and linearity.
Originality/value
Capaciyive and piezoelectic are used to obtain both dynamic,pulse, and static loads. The sensor micromachined so, it can be used in various endoscopic applications.
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Amin Eidi, Mousa Shamsi and Habib Badri Ghavifekr
This paper aims to a novel fabricated resonator structure which consists of some single mechanical resonators as a mass sensor.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to a novel fabricated resonator structure which consists of some single mechanical resonators as a mass sensor.
Design/methodology/approach
The structure is proposed to detect the target molecules and cells in a droplet. Also, at this design the mechanical coupling springs of the proposed structure are designed in such a way that it resonates in shear resonance mode which minimizes the damping effect.
Findings
This proposed design can be fabricated in different sizes due to the requirements of an application.
Originality/value
The proposed design is fabricated in mesoscale and its mass sensitivity is evaluated and reported in this paper.
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Manuele Bertoluzzo, Paolo Di Barba, Michele Forzan, Maria Evelina Mognaschi and Elisabetta Sieni
The purpose of the study is to design the compensation network of a dynamic wireless power transfer system, considering the movement of the receiving coil along an electrified…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to design the compensation network of a dynamic wireless power transfer system, considering the movement of the receiving coil along an electrified track with a large number of inductors buried on the road.
Design/methodology/approach
A finite element model has been developed to calculate the self-inductances of transmitting and receiving coils as well as the mutual inductances between the receiving coil and the transmitting ones in the nearby and for various relative positions. The calculated lumped parameters, self-inductances and mutual inductances depending on the relative positions between the coils, have been considered to design the compensation network of the active coils, which is composed of three capacitive or inductive reactances connected in the T form. The optimal values of the six reactances, three for the transmitting coils and three for the receiving one, have been calculated by resorting to the Genetic Algorithm NSGA-II.
Findings
In this paper, the results obtained by means of the optimizations have broadly discussed. The optimal values of the reactances of the compensation networks show a clear trend in the receiving part of the circuit. On the other hand, the problem seems very sensitive to the values of the reactances in the transmitting circuit.
Originality/value
Dynamic wireless power transfer system is one of the newest ways of recharging electric vehicles. Hence, the design of compensation networks for this kind of systems is a new topic, and there is the need to investigate possible solutions to obtain a good performance of the recharging system.
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Rui Zhang, Lei Zhao, Dan Xie, Jinlong Song, Wendong Zhang, Lihu Pan and Yanhua Zhang
This study aims to simulate and test the performance of a transmitting and receiving capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). Aimed at detecting demand of the CMUT…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to simulate and test the performance of a transmitting and receiving capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). Aimed at detecting demand of the CMUT, a matched integrated adjustment circuit was designed through analyzing processing methods of transducer’s weak echo signal.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the analysis of CMUT array structure and work principle, the CMUT units are designed and the dynamic performance analysis of SIMULINK is given according to the demand of underwater detecting. A transceiver isolation circuit is used to make transmission mode and receiving mode separate. A detection circuit is designed based on the transimpedance amplifier to achieve extraction of high-frequency and weak signal.
Findings
Through experimentation, the effectiveness of the CMUT performance simulation and the transceiver integrated adjustment circuit were verified. In addition, the test showed that CMUT with 400 kHz frequency has wider bandwidth and better dynamic characteristics than other similar transducers.
Originality/value
This paper provides a theoretical basis and design reference for the development and application of CMUT technology.
Details
Keywords
- MEMS
- Dynamic performance
- Ultrasonic sensors
- Underwater applications
- Detection circuit
- Transmission transducer
- Capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer
- Receipt and transmission transducer
- MEMS
- Dynamic performance
- Ultrasonic sensors
- Underwater applications
- Detection circuit
- Transmission transducer
- Capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer