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1 – 10 of 16Jinwei Zhao, Shuolei Feng, Xiaodong Cao and Haopei Zheng
This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.
Design/methodology/approach
In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.
Findings
This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.
Originality/value
The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.
Ignacio Jesús Álvarez Gariburo, Hector Sarnago and Oscar Lucia
Induction heating processes need to adapt to complex geometries or variable processes that require a high degree of flexibility in the induction heating setup. This is usually…
Abstract
Purpose
Induction heating processes need to adapt to complex geometries or variable processes that require a high degree of flexibility in the induction heating setup. This is usually done using complex inductors or adaptable resonant tanks, which leads to costly and constrained implementations. This paper aims to propose a multi-level, versatile power supply able to adapt the output to the required induction heating process.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a versatile multilevel topology able to generate versatile output waveforms. The methodology followed includes simulation of the proposed architecture, design of the power electronics, control and magnetic elements and laboratory tests after building a 10-level prototype.
Findings
The proposed converter has been designed and tested using an experimental prototype. The designed generator is able to operate at 1 kVpp and 100 A at 250 kHz, proving the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Originality/value
The proposed converter enables versatile waveform generation, enabling advanced tests and processes on induction heating system. The proposed system allows for multifrequency generation using a single inductor and converter, or advanced tests for inductive and capacitive components used on induction heating systems. Unlike previous multifrequency proposals, the proposed generator enables a significantly improved versatility in terms of operational frequency and amplitude in a single converter.
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Keywords
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.
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Mohammad A Gharaibeh, Markus Feisst and Jürgen Wilde
This paper aims to present two Anand’s model parameter sets for the multilayer silver–tin (AgSn) transient liquid phase (TLP) foils.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present two Anand’s model parameter sets for the multilayer silver–tin (AgSn) transient liquid phase (TLP) foils.
Design/methodology/approach
The AgSn TLP test samples are manufactured using pre-defined optimized TLP bonding process parameters. Consequently, tensile and creep tests are conducted at various loading temperatures to generate stress–strain and creep data to accurately determine the elastic properties and two sets of Anand model creep coefficients. The resultant tensile- and creep-based constitutive models are subsequently used in extensive finite element simulations to precisely survey the mechanical response of the AgSn TLP bonds in power electronics due to different thermal loads.
Findings
The response of both models is thoroughly addressed in terms of stress–strain relationships, inelastic strain energy densities and equivalent plastic strains. The simulation results revealed that the testing conditions and parameters can significantly influence the values of the fitted Anand coefficients and consequently affect the resultant FEA-computed mechanical response of the TLP bonds. Therefore, this paper suggests that extreme care has to be taken when planning experiments for the estimation of creep parameters of the AgSn TLP joints.
Originality/value
In literature, there is no constitutive modeling data on the AgSn TLP bonds.
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Shanmugan Subramani and Mutharasu Devarajan
Polymer-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) are having pump out problem and could be resolved for reliable application. Solid-based interface materials have been suggested…
Abstract
Purpose
Polymer-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) are having pump out problem and could be resolved for reliable application. Solid-based interface materials have been suggested and reported. The purpose of this paper is suggesting thin film-based TIM to sustain the light-emiting diode (LED) performance and electronic device miniaturization.
Design/methodology/approach
Consequently, ZnO thin film at various thicknesses was prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method and tested their thermal behaviour using thermal transient analysis as solid TIM for high-power LED.
Findings
Low value in total thermal resistance (Rth-tot) was observed for ZnO thin film boundary condition than bare Al boundary condition. The measured interface (ZnO thin film) resistance {(Rth-bhs) thermal resistance of the interface layer (thin film) placed between metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) board and Al substrates} was nearly equal to Ag paste boundary condition and showed low values for ZnO film prepared at 30 min process time measured at 700 mA. The TJ value of LED mounted on ZnO thin film (prepared at 30 min.) coated Al substrates was measured to be 74.8°C. High value in junction temperature difference (ΔTJ) of about 4.7°C was noticed with 30 min processed ZnO thin film when compared with Al boundary condition. Low correlated colour temperature and high luminous flux values of tested LED were also observed with ZnO thin film boundary condition (processed at 30 min) compared with both Al substrate and Ag paste boundary condition.
Originality/value
Overall, 30 min CVD processed ZnO thin film would be an alternative for commercial TIM to achieve efficient thermal management. This will increase the life span of the LED as the proposed material decreases the TJ values.
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Electric motor heating during biomass recovery and its handling on conveyor is a serious concern for the motor performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to design and…
Abstract
Purpose
Electric motor heating during biomass recovery and its handling on conveyor is a serious concern for the motor performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to design and develop a hardware prototype of master–slave electric motors based biomass conveyor system to use the motors under normal operating conditions without overheating.
Design/methodology/approach
The hardware prototype of the system used master–slave electric motors for embedded controller operated robotic arm to automatically replace conveyor motors by one another. A mixed signal based embedded controller (C8051F226DK), fully compliant with IEEE 1149.1 specifications, was used to operate the entire system. A precise temperature measurement of motor with the help of negative temperature coefficient sensor was possible due to the utilization of industry standard temperature controller (N76E003AT20). Also, a pulse width modulation based speed control was achieved for master–slave motors of biomass conveyor.
Findings
As compared to conventional energy based mains supply, the system is self-sufficient to extract more energy from solar supply with an energy increase of 11.38%. With respect to conventional energy based \ of 47.31%, solar energy based higher energy saving of 52.69% was reported. Also, the work achieved higher temperature reduction of 34.26% of the motor as compared to previous cooling options.
Originality/value
The proposed technique is free from air, liquid and phase-changing material based cooling materials. As a consequence, the work prevents the wastage of these materials and does not cause the risk of health hazards. Also, the motors are used with their original dimensions without facing any leakage problems.
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The aim of this review is to present together the studies on textile-based moisture sensors developed using innovative technologies in recent years.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this review is to present together the studies on textile-based moisture sensors developed using innovative technologies in recent years.
Design/methodology/approach
The integration levels of the sensors studied with the textile materials are changing. Some research teams have used a combination of printing and textile technologies to produce sensors, while a group of researchers have used traditional technologies such as weaving and embroidery. Others have taken advantage of new technologies such as electro-spinning, polymerization and other techniques. In this way, they tried to combine the good working efficiency of the sensors and the flexibility of the textile. All these approaches are presented in this article.
Findings
The presentation of the latest technologies used to develop textile sensors together will give researchers an idea about new studies that can be done on highly sensitive and efficient textile-based moisture sensor systems.
Originality/value
In this paper humidity sensors have been explained in terms of measuring principle as capacitive and resistive. Then, studies conducted in the last 20 years on the textile-based humidity sensors have been presented in detail. This is a comprehensive review study that presents the latest developments together in this area for researchers.
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Yanmin Zhou, Zheng Yan, Ye Yang, Zhipeng Wang, Ping Lu, Philip F. Yuan and Bin He
Vision, audition, olfactory, tactile and taste are five important senses that human uses to interact with the real world. As facing more and more complex environments, a sensing…
Abstract
Purpose
Vision, audition, olfactory, tactile and taste are five important senses that human uses to interact with the real world. As facing more and more complex environments, a sensing system is essential for intelligent robots with various types of sensors. To mimic human-like abilities, sensors similar to human perception capabilities are indispensable. However, most research only concentrated on analyzing literature on single-modal sensors and their robotics application.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a systematic review of five bioinspired senses, especially considering a brief introduction of multimodal sensing applications and predicting current trends and future directions of this field, which may have continuous enlightenments.
Findings
This review shows that bioinspired sensors can enable robots to better understand the environment, and multiple sensor combinations can support the robot’s ability to behave intelligently.
Originality/value
The review starts with a brief survey of the biological sensing mechanisms of the five senses, which are followed by their bioinspired electronic counterparts. Their applications in the robots are then reviewed as another emphasis, covering the main application scopes of localization and navigation, objection identification, dexterous manipulation, compliant interaction and so on. Finally, the trends, difficulties and challenges of this research were discussed to help guide future research on intelligent robot sensors.
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Xinran Zhao, Yingying Pang, Gang Wang, Chenhui Xia, Yuan Yuan and Chengqian Wang
This paper aims to realize the vertical interconnection in 3D radio frequency (RF) circuit by coaxial transitions with broad working bandwidth and small signal loss.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to realize the vertical interconnection in 3D radio frequency (RF) circuit by coaxial transitions with broad working bandwidth and small signal loss.
Design/methodology/approach
An advanced packaging method, 12-inch wafer-level through-mold-via (TMV) additive manufacturing, is used to fabricate a 3D resin-based coaxial transition with a continuous ground wall (named resin-coaxial transition). Designation and simulation are implemented to ensure the application universality and fabrication feasibility. The outer radius R of coaxial transition is optimized by designing and fabricating three samples.
Findings
The fabricated coaxial transition possesses an inner radius of 40 µm and a length of 200 µm. The optimized sample with an outer radius R of 155 µm exhibits S11 < –10 dB and S21 > –1.3 dB at 10–110 GHz and the smallest insertion loss (S21 = 0.83 dB at 77 GHz) among the samples. Moreover, the S21 of the samples increases at 58.4–90.1 GHz, indicating a broad and suitable working bandwidth.
Originality/value
The wafer-level TMV additive manufacturing method is applied to fabricate coaxial transitions for the first time. The fabricated resin-coaxial transitions show good performance up to the W-band. It may provide new strategies for novel designing and fabricating methods of RF transitions.
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Rafiu King Raji, Jian Lin Han, Zixing Li and Lihua Gong
At the moment, in terms of both research and commercial products, smart shoe technology and applications seem not to attract the same magnitude of attention compared to smart…
Abstract
Purpose
At the moment, in terms of both research and commercial products, smart shoe technology and applications seem not to attract the same magnitude of attention compared to smart garments and other smart wearables such as wrist watches and wrist bands. The purpose of this study is to fill this knowledge gap by discussing issues regarding smart shoe sensing technologies, smart shoe sensor placements, factors that affect sensor placements and finally the areas of smart shoe applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a review of relevant literature, this study first and foremost attempts to explain what constitutes a smart shoe and subsequently discusses the current trends in smart shoe applications. Discussed in this study are relevant sensing technologies, sensor placement and areas of smart shoe applications.
Findings
This study outlined 13 important areas of smart shoe applications. It also uncovered that majority of smart shoe functionality are physical activity tracking, health rehabilitation and ambulation assistance for the blind. Also highlighted in this review are some of the bottlenecks of smart shoe development.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review paper focused on smart shoe applications, and therefore serves as an apt reference for researchers within the field of smart footwear.
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