Search results

1 – 10 of 137
Article
Publication date: 24 September 2018

Aneta Kwak and Jeffrey Newman

The purpose of this study was to develop a cost- and labor-efficient method for a small library to produce and deliver accessible course reading packages.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a cost- and labor-efficient method for a small library to produce and deliver accessible course reading packages.

Design/methodology/approach

Working with approximately 25 courses and instructors in the Fall 2017 semester – including courses in Equity Studies and Disability Studies – the authors produced an inventory of assigned readings and an assessment of the accessibility of scanned texts that were currently being used. Based on this initial inventory, they developed new workflows for providing accessible readings to students that overcame the most common shortcomings and deficiencies.

Findings

This project established that it is possible for a small library to produce high-quality accessible course readings and that a PDF file is the most appropriate format for providing accessible scanned readings in an online course reader environment.

Practical implications

This project developed a workflow for producing texts that are designed from the perspective of universal access – that is, all students can engage with these texts without requiring the intervention of accessibility-services-style departments.

Originality/value

Canadian academic institutions are required to provide accessible texts upon request, a process which relies on students to identify required readings, sign up for specialized services and be comfortable disclosing and discussing their specialized needs. The process developed in this project builds upon a conception of equitable access as being a core principle and strives to create accessible readings as a default rather than as the result of an external request. This case study can be used as an example for institutions – especially small libraries – that are interested in developing a proactive approach to creating accessible readings and course packs.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 46 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 12 September 2008

Jeff Newman

101

Abstract

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Content available
Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Jeff Newman

557

Abstract

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Robert Bogue

This paper aims to describe the techniques used in industrial optical chemical sensors and to consider future prospects.

1790

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the techniques used in industrial optical chemical sensors and to consider future prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the techniques and technologies used in today's optical chemical sensors. It highlights their limitations and considers briefly certain new technological developments.

Findings

This paper shows that techniques such as wet reagent‐aided photometry, UV absorption, spectroscopy and UV fluorescence satisfy a range of industrial chemical sensing applications and that optode technology is making limited commercial inroads. It identifies the need for inexpensive, wet reagent‐free chemical sensors and suggests that both solid‐state electrodes and lab‐on‐a‐chip devices may ultimately resolve this issue.

Originality/value

This paper provides a technical insight into the state of optical chemical sensing and illustrates that generic families of inexpensive chemical sensors are yet to be developed.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Christine Connolly

This paper aims to reveal developments in sensors applied to packaging lines.

6534

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal developments in sensors applied to packaging lines.

Design/methodology/approach

Machine vision systems including special‐purpose smart cameras and a high‐speed camera are examined. The technology of radio frequency identification (RFID) is explained, and some products relevant to packaging are highlighted. Advances in X‐ray, metal detection and gas‐leak detection equipment are discussed.

Findings

Manufacturers are making smart cameras and high‐speed cameras easier to use. There is a trend for manufacturers to provide portable as well as in‐line instrumentation, for example, in code readers and gas leak detectors. RFID is an emerging technique for improving traceability in the supply chain, and some labelling machines additionally program an embedded chip.

Originality/value

Tracks the latest developments in sensors for engineers in the food and pharmaceutical packaging industries.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Huiyu Zhou and Huosheng Hu

This paper seeks to present an inertial motion tracking system for monitoring movements of human upper limbs in order to support a home‐based rehabilitation scheme in which the…

1351

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to present an inertial motion tracking system for monitoring movements of human upper limbs in order to support a home‐based rehabilitation scheme in which the recovery of stroke patients' motor function through repetitive exercises needs to be continuously monitored and appropriately evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

Two inertial sensors are placed on the upper and lower arms in order to obtain acceleration and turning rates. Then the position of the upper limbs can be deduced by using the kinematical model of the upper limbs that was designed in the previous paper. The tracking system starts from inertial data acquisition and pre‐filtering, followed by a number of processes such as transformation of coordinate systems of sensor data, and kinematical modelling and optimization of position estimation.

Findings

The motion detector using the proposed kinematic model only has drifts in the measurements. Fusion of acceleration and orientation data can effectively solve the drift problem without the involvement of a Kalman filter.

Research limitations/implications

The image rendering is not undertaken when the data sampling is performed. This non‐synchronization is applied in order to avoid the breaks in the continuous sampling.

Originality/value

This new motion detector can work in different environments without significant drifts. Also, this system only deploys two inertial sensors but is able to estimate the position of the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Mark Lowe, Elizabeth Hood and Mike Ozog

This technical paper aims to provide an overview of thin‐film force sensors, present discussions of various ways these force sensors are used in automated systems, and offer…

Abstract

Purpose

This technical paper aims to provide an overview of thin‐film force sensors, present discussions of various ways these force sensors are used in automated systems, and offer possibilities for future adaptations. Areas of interest are medicine, industry, and consumer products.

Design/methodology/approach

Current uses of thin‐film force sensors are presented based on existing prototypes and research. Current research serves as a springboard to identifying ideas for future research and development.

Findings

Regarding thin‐film force sensors, finds that, thanks to features of current force‐sensing technology, consumers can expect continued introduction of high‐quality and very realistic “feeling” systems.

Originality/value

Presents novel uses of force sensors and explores ideas for future research.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Christine Connolly

This paper aims to investigate the specifications of sensors used in vehicle impact testing, especially in crash test dummies.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the specifications of sensors used in vehicle impact testing, especially in crash test dummies.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the facilities of a UK vehicle test facility, then explores the design of crash test dummies and the sensors within them. Data collection and analysis techniques are reported.

Findings

The sensors incorporated in a crash test dummy must have the correct mass distribution so as not to affect its inertial behaviour. Dummies are designed for repeated crash testing. New sensor developments are expanding the range of measurements possible, and smaller, lower‐power‐dissipation and higher‐data‐density memory devices are facilitating a move towards data logging within the dummy.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into the world of crash testing, of general interest to scientists and engineers, and especially those who drive.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Lun‐Chen Hsu, Thermpon Ativanichayaphong, Hung Cao, Jeongsik Sin, Mason Graff, Harry E. Stephanou and J.‐C. Chiao

Selection of a gas sensor requires consideration of environmental effects that can significantly affect performance and cause false alarms. Metal‐oxide sensors have high…

1295

Abstract

Purpose

Selection of a gas sensor requires consideration of environmental effects that can significantly affect performance and cause false alarms. Metal‐oxide sensors have high sensitivity due to the specific interactions of gas molecules with thin metal‐oxide films, however, the films can also be sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity and some oxidizing and deoxidizing gases. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental effect on metal‐oxide nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sensors quantitatively.

Design/methodology/approach

Three commercial metal‐oxide NO2 sensors and one electrochemical sensor were tested simultaneously under controlled gas concentrations and various environmental conditions. For this test, a customized sensor testing setup was prepared including a gas mixer, heating module, gas chamber, electronics, and data acquisition units.

Findings

Based on the test results for NO2 gas concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 ppm, the metal‐oxide sensors showed significant signal variations at elevated temperatures and humidity. The results provide overall sensor performance. Linearity, repeatability, selectivity and sensitivity of the metal‐oxide sensors were measured and compared to an electrochemical sensor.

Originality/value

A systematic evaluation to characterize metal‐oxide NO2 sensors is presented, and their comparison regarding sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, and dependence on humidity and temperature is reported. The result provides sensor performance data and guideline for sensor evaluation.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2007

Gino Rinaldi, Muthukumaran Packirisamy and Ion Stiharu

This paper seeks to establish an analytical reference model in order to optimize the frequency response of MEMS cantilever structures using cutouts.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to establish an analytical reference model in order to optimize the frequency response of MEMS cantilever structures using cutouts.

Design/methodology/approach

Presented in this work is a method to tune the frequency response of MEMS cantilevers by using single cutouts of various sizes. From an interpretation of the analytical results, mass and stiffness domains are defined as a function of the cutout position on the cantilever. In this regard, the elastic properties of the MEMS cantilever can be trimmed through mechanical tuning by a single cutout incorporated into the device geometry. The Rayleigh‐Ritz energy method is used for the modeling. Analytical results are compared with FEM and experimental results.

Findings

The eigenvalues are dependent on the position and size of the cutout. Hence, the frequency response of the cantilever can be tuned and optimized through this approach.

Research limitations/implications

MEMS microsystems are sensitive to microfabrication limitations especially at the boundary support of suspended structures such as microcantilevers.

Practical implications

MEMS cantilevers are resistant to low level vibrations due to their low inertia and the elastic properties of the silicon material. For sensor applications these qualities are highly regarded and explored. This analysis will contribute to the performance optimization of atomic force microscope (AFM) probes and micromechanical resonators.

Originality/value

A method to tune, with cutouts, the frequency response of microcantilevers is proposed. The data can provide insight into the performance optimization of micromechanical resonators through mass reduction. For industrial applications requiring optimized responses the cutouts can be incorporated into microcantilevers through focused ion beam (FIB) machining or laser drilling, for example.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

1 – 10 of 137