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Article
Publication date: 15 June 2015

Robert Bogue

– The purpose of this paper is to provide details of recent developments in sensors for detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide details of recent developments in sensors for detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this paper first discusses a selection of new sensing techniques aimed at detecting explosives and explosive devices. It then considers new developments in sensors for detecting chemical warfare agents. Brief concluding comments are drawn.

Findings

This paper shows that a diversity of sensor technologies is being investigated, including various advanced optical methods, nanomaterials, microelectromechanical system, electronic noses, biosensors and electrochemical techniques, several of which offer levels of sensitivity in the parts-per-trillion region. These not only have the potential to yield improved devices for detecting explosives and chemical weapons but may also play a role in health care, environmental monitoring, drug detection and industrial health and safety.

Originality/value

In an era of escalating terrorism and military conflicts, this provides a timely review of new technologies for detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2010

Robert Bogue

The paper aims to provide a technical review of the application of quantum dot (QD) technology to sensors.

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a technical review of the application of quantum dot (QD) technology to sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction to QD technology, this paper considers recent research on QD‐based physical, chemical and gas sensors.

Findings

This shows that QDs are being exploited in a range of experimental sensors for detecting physical variables, notably radiant/electromagnetic quantities and temperature; chemical compounds, such as metals and many species of clinical interest; and a variety of gases and vapours. Prospects also exist to develop improved sources and detectors for use in optical gas sensors.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not consider biomedical uses of QDs such as cellular imaging, bioassays and biosensors.

Originality/value

This provides a detailed insight into recent research on physical, chemical and gas sensors based on QD technology.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Nibu Babu Thomas, Lekshmi P. Kumar, Jiya James and Nibu A. George

Nanosensors have a wide range of applications because of their high sensitivity, selectivity and specificity. In the past decade, extensive and pervasive research related to…

Abstract

Purpose

Nanosensors have a wide range of applications because of their high sensitivity, selectivity and specificity. In the past decade, extensive and pervasive research related to nanosensors has led to significant progress in diverse fields, such as biomedicine, environmental monitoring and industrial process control. This led to better and more efficient detection and monitoring of physical and chemical properties at better resolution, opening new horizons in the development of novel technologies and applications for improved human health, environment protection, enhanced industrial processes, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors discuss the application of citation network analysis in the field of nanosensor research and development. Cluster analysis was carried out using papers published in the field of nanomaterial-based sensor research, and an in-depth analysis was carried out to identify significant clusters. The purpose of this study is to provide researchers to identify a pathway to the emerging areas in the field of nanosensor research. The authors have illustrated the knowledge base, knowledge domain and knowledge progression of nanosensor research using the citation analysis based on 3,636 Science Citation Index papers published during the period 2011 to 2021.

Findings

Among these papers, the bibliographic study identified 809 significant research publications, 11 clusters, 556 research sector keywords, 1,296 main authors, 139 referenced authors, 63 nations, 206 organizations and 42 journals. The authors have identified single quantum dot (QD)-based nanosensor for biological applications, carbon dot-based nanosensors, self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator-based nanosensor and genetically encoded nanosensor as the significant research hotspots that came to the fore in recent years. The future trend in nanosensor research might focus on the development of efficient and cost-effective designs for the detection of numerous environmental pollutants and biological molecules using mesostructured materials and QDs. It is also possible to optimize the detection methods using theoretical models, and generalized gradient approximation has great scope in sensor development.

Research limitations/implications

The future trend in nanosensor research might focus on the development of efficient and cost-effective designs for the detection of numerous environmental pollutants and biological molecules using mesostructured materials and QDs. It is also possible to optimize the detection methods using theoretical models, and generalized gradient approximation has great scope in sensor development.

Originality/value

This is a novel bibliometric analysis in the area of “nanomaterial based sensor,” which is carried out in CiteSpace software.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2023

Shweta  , Sunil Jadav and Rohit Tripathi

Sensing technology has been extensively researched and used due to its applications in industrial production and daily life. Due to inherent limitations of conventional…

Abstract

Purpose

Sensing technology has been extensively researched and used due to its applications in industrial production and daily life. Due to inherent limitations of conventional silicon-based technology, researchers are now-a-days paying more attention to flexible electronics to design low-cost, high-sensitivity devices. This observational and analytical study aims to emphasis on carbon monoxide gas sensor. This review also focuses the challenges faced by flexible devices, offers the most recent research on paper-based gas sensors and pays special focus on various sensing materials and fabrication techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

To get the better insight into opportunities for future improvement, a number of research papers based on sensors were studied and realized the need to design carbon monoxide gas sensor. A number of parameters were then gone through to decide the flexibility parameter to be considered for design purposes. This review also focuses on the challenges faced by flexible devices and how they can be overcome.

Findings

It has been shown that carbon monoxide gas, being most contaminated gas, needs to be fabricated to sense low concentration at room temperature, considering flexibility as an important parameter. Regarding this parameter, some tests must be done to test whether the structure sustains or degrades after bending. The parameters required to perform bending are also described.

Originality/value

Due to inherent limitations of conventional silicon-based technology, now-a-days attention is paid towards flexible electronics to design low-cost, high-sensitivity devices. A number of research articles are provided in the literature concerning gas sensing for different applications using several sensing principles. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in carbon monoxide gas sensors along with the design possibilities for flexible paper-based gas sensors. All the aspects have been taken into consideration for the fabrication, starting with paper characterization techniques, various sensing materials, manufacturing methodologies, challenges in the fabrication of flexible devices and effects of bending and humidity on the sensing performance.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 43 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2024

Adhithya Sreeram and Jayaraman Kathirvelan

Artificial fruit ripening is hazardous to mankind. In the recent past, artificial fruit ripening is increasing gradually due to its commercial benefits. To discriminate the type…

Abstract

Purpose

Artificial fruit ripening is hazardous to mankind. In the recent past, artificial fruit ripening is increasing gradually due to its commercial benefits. To discriminate the type of fruit ripening involved at the vendors’ side, there is a great demand for on-sight ethylene detection in a nondestructive manner. Therefore, this study aims to deal with a comparison of various laboratory and portable methods developed so far with high-performance metrics to identify the ethylene detection at fruit ripening site.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on various types of technologies proposed up to date in ethylene detection, fabrication methods and signal conditioning circuits for ethylene detection in parts per million and parts per billion levels. The authors have already developed an infrared (IR) sensor to detect ethylene and also developed a lab-based setup belonging to the electrochemical sensing methods to detect ethylene for the fruit ripening application.

Findings

The authors have developed an electrochemical sensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes whose performance is relatively higher than the sensors that were previously reported in terms of material, sensitivity and selectivity. For identifying the best sensing technology for optimization of ethylene detection for fruit ripening discrimination process, authors have developed an IR-based ethylene sensor and also semiconducting metal-oxide ethylene sensor which are all compared with literature-based comparable parameters. This review paper mainly focuses on the potential possibilities for developing portable ethylene sensing devices for investigation applications.

Originality/value

The authors have elaborately discussed the new chemical and physical methods of ethylene detection and quantification from their own developed methods and also the key findings of the methods proposed by fellow researchers working on this field. The authors would like to declare that the extensive analysis carried out in this technical survey could be used for developing a cost-effective and high-performance portable ethylene sensing device for fruit ripening and discrimination applications.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2011

Robert Bogue

The purpose of this paper is to review the applications of commercially available fibre optic sensors (FOSs) and consider the reasons for their use.

1245

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the applications of commercially available fibre optic sensors (FOSs) and consider the reasons for their use.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, the paper discusses the applications of FOSs for physical variables, gases and chemical compounds and identifies the reasons for their use.

Findings

It is shown that, following over three decades of research, FOSs are employed in many physical sensing uses where particular, application‐specific features confer significant user benefits. They are employed to a far lesser extent to monitor gases and chemical compounds, where the intrinsic features of the technology are of less benefit.

Originality/value

This paper provides an account of the applications of FOSs that have emerged since their development in the 1970s.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2012

Gary Hunter, Randy Vander Wal, Laura Evans, Jennifer Xu, Gordon Berger, Michael Kullis and Azlin Biaggi‐Labiosa

The development of chemical sensors based on nanostructures, such as nanotubes or nanowires, depends on the capability to reproducibly control the processing of the sensor

1250

Abstract

Purpose

The development of chemical sensors based on nanostructures, such as nanotubes or nanowires, depends on the capability to reproducibly control the processing of the sensor. Alignment and consistent electrical contact of nanostructures on a microsensor platform is challenging. This can be accomplished using labor‐intensive approaches, specialized processing technology, or growth of nanostructures in situ. However, the use of standard microfabrication techniques for fabricating nanostructured microsensors is problematic. The purpose of this paper is to address this challenge using standard photoresist processing combined with dielectrophoresis.

Design/methodology/approach

Nanostructures are suspended in photoresist and aligned between opposing sawtooth electrode patterns using an alternating current (AC) electric field (dielectrophoresis). The use of photoresist processing techniques allow the burying of the nanostructures between layers of metal, thus improving the electrical contact of the nanostructures to the microsensor platform.

Findings

This approach is demonstrated for both multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and tin oxide nanowires. Preliminary data show the electrical continuity of the sensor structure as well as the response to various gases.

Research limitations/implications

It is concluded that this approach demonstrates a foundation for a new tool for the fabrication of microsensors using nanostructures, and can be expanded towards enabling the combination of common microfabrication techniques with nanostructured sensor development.

Originality/value

This approach is intended to address the significant barriers of deposition control, contact robustness, and simplified processing to realizing the potential of nanotechnology as applied to sensors.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1988

Peter McGeehin of Compton Consultants explains the trends taking place.

Abstract

Peter McGeehin of Compton Consultants explains the trends taking place.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Article
Publication date: 15 September 2021

Srinivas Rao Sriram, Saidireddy Parne, Venkata Satya Chidambara Swamy Vaddadi, Damodar Edla, Nagaraju P., Raji Reddy Avala, Vijayakumar Yelsani and Uday Bhasker Sontu

This paper aims to focus on the basic principle of WO3 gas sensors to achieve high gas-sensing performance with good stability and repeatability. Metal oxide-based gas sensors are…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the basic principle of WO3 gas sensors to achieve high gas-sensing performance with good stability and repeatability. Metal oxide-based gas sensors are widely used for monitoring toxic gas leakages in the environment, industries and households. For better livelihood and a healthy environment, it is extremely helpful to have sensors with higher accuracy and improved sensing features.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present review, the authors focus on recent synthesis methods of WO3-based gas sensors to enhance sensing features towards toxic gases.

Findings

This work has proved that the synthesis method led to provide different morphologies of nanostructured WO3-based material in turn to improve gas sensing performance along with its sensing mechanism.

Originality/value

In this work, the authors reviewed challenges and possibilities associated with the nanostructured WO3-based gas sensors to trace toxic gases such as ammonia, H2S and NO2 for future research.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 41 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 December 2020

Jayaraman Kathirvelan

This paper aims to encompass the technological advancements in the area of flexible sensing electronics fabrication particularly for wearable device development applications. In…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to encompass the technological advancements in the area of flexible sensing electronics fabrication particularly for wearable device development applications. In the recent past, it is evident that there is a tremendous growth in the field of flexible electronics and sensors fabrication technologies all around the world. Even though, there is a significant amount of research has been carried in the past decade, but still there is a huge need for exploring novel materials for low temperature processing, optimized printing methods and customized printing devices with accurate feature control.

Design/methodology/approach

The author has done an extensive literature survey in the proposed area and found that the researchers are showing significant interest in exploring novel materials, new conductive ink processing methods suitable for additive manufacturing, and fabrication technologies for developing the plastic substrate-based flexible electronics for the on growing demands of wearable devices in the market.

Findings

The author has consolidated some of the recent advancements in the area of flexible sensing electronics using the inkjet-printing platform carried out by the researchers. The novel customized inkjet-printing technology, materials selections for device development, compatibility of the materials for the inkjet-printing process and the interesting results of the devices fabricated are highlighted in this paper.

Originality/value

The author has reported the novel inkjet-printing platforms explored by researchers in the recent past for various applications which primarily includes gas sensing. The author has consolidated in a crisp manner about the technology, materials compatible for inkjet-printing, and the exciting results of the printed devices. The author has reported the advantages and challenges of the proposed methods by the researchers. This work will bridge the technical gap in the inkjet-printing technology and will be useful for the researchers to take forward the research work on this domain to the next level.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

11 – 20 of over 4000