Applications of remote sensing techniques to geology

Remote sensing is a new emerging field of technological development and has made a very significant impact on the geological surveys and studies. The work done so far in geological remote sensing has indicated the scope, utility and limitations of these modern techniques in different geological problems. The utility of airborne surveys and aerial photography has now been well established whereas satellite remote sensing at present has two main constraints—resolution and lack of stereoscopy. With the developments in sensor technology to provide sensors with improved resolution, more spectral bands and stereoscopy, substantial new results are anticipated in the geological remote sensing from space. Brief overview of applications of remote sensing techniques to geology is discussed in this paper.     

Advances in the Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Sensing

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are of high significance in sensing as they provide viable solutions to the enduring challenges related to lower detection limits and nonspecific effects. The rapid expansion in the applications of MNPs creates a need to overview the current state of the field of MNPs for sensing applications. In this review, the trends and concepts in the literature are critically appraised in terms of the opportunities and limitations of MNPs used for the most advanced sensing applications. The latest progress in MNP sensor technologies is overviewed with a focus on MNP structures and properties, as well as the strategies of incorporating these MNPs into devices. By looking at recent synthetic advancements, and the key challenges that face nanoparticle‐based sensors, this review aims to outline how to design, synthesize, and use MNPs to make the most effective and sensitive sensors.     

Inertial sensor technology trends

This paper presents an overview of how inertial sensor technology is applied in current applications and how it is expected to be applied in nearand far-term applications. The ongoing trends in inertial sensor technology development are discussed, namely interferometric fiber-optic gyros, micro-mechanical gyros and accelerometers, and micro-optical sensors. Micromechanical sensors and improved fiber-optic gyros are expected to replace many of the current systems using ring laser gyroscopes or mechanical sensors. The successful introduction of the new technologies is primarily driven by cost and cost projections for systems using these new technologies are presented. Externally aiding the inertial navigation system (INS) with the global positioning system (GPS) has opened up the ability to navigate a wide variety of new large-volume applications, such as guided artillery shells. These new applications are driving the need for extremely low-cost, batch-producible sensors     

气敏材料及其传感器选择性研究进展

选择性是评价气敏传感器使用价值的重要性能指标.综述了近年来国内外气敏材料及其传感器选择性方面的研究进展,从气敏机理详细分析了影响传感器选择性的因素,重点介绍了提高气敏选择性的新技术、新方法,如掺杂、气体过滤膜、纳米技术、制备复合型气敏元件等,详细探讨了其工作机理,并简要介绍了气敏选择性未来的研究趋势.     

Sensor technologies for monitoring metabolic activity in single cells-part II: nonoptical methods and applications

A review of solid-state chemical and electrochemical sensors to detect metabolic activity at the extracellular, single-cell level is presented in the context of the development of lab-on-a-chip research instrumentation. Metabolic processes in cells are briefly reviewed with the goal of quantifying the role of metabolites within the cell. Sensors reviewed include both research and commercial devices that can noninvasively detect extracellular metabolites, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and glucose. Metabolic activity can also be sensed nonselectively by measuring pH gradients. Performance metrics, such as sensitivity, sensor size, drift, time response, and sensing range, are included when available. Highly suitable sensor technologies for monitoring cellular metabolic activity include electrochemical sensors, scanning electrochemical microscopy, ion-sensitive field effect transistor sensors, and solid-state light-addressable potentiometric sensors. Other less-suitable, but still potentially viable, solid-state sensing technologies are also reviewed briefly, including resonant chemical sensors (surface acoustic wave and quartz crystal microbalance), conductivity or impedance sensors, and sensors with multiple transduction stages. Specific biological applications which benefit from detection of extracellular metabolic events at the single-cell level are discussed to provide context to the practical use of these sensor technologies; these applications include case studies of various diseases (cancer, diabetes, mitochondrial disorders. etc.), cell and tissue differentiation; cell and tissue storage; cell life cycle and basic cellular processes; and developmental biology.     

Development of Low-cost Chemical and Micromechanical Sensors Based on Thick-film,Thin-film and Electroplated Films

Various films could be used as sensing materials or as constructional materials for the fabrication of chemical and micromechanical sensors. To illustrate this potential, three sensors fabricated by very different film deposition technologies are given as examples. The sensors are a humidity sensor in thickfilm technology, a multi-functional gas sensor in thin-film technology and a three-dimensional acceleration sensor chip manufactured by electroplating techniques. Design, fabrication and characterisation of these sensors are described in this paper.     

Oxygen sensors: Materials, methods, designs and applications

Advancement of gas sensor technology over the past few decades has led to significant progress in pollution control and thereby, to environmental protection. An excellent example is the control of automobile exhaust emissions, made possible by the use of oxygen gas sensors. Since early 1970's there have been sustained studies on oxygen sensors and has led to development of sensors for various applications with varying performance characteristics. Solid electrolyte based potentiometric, amperometric and metal oxide based semiconducting resistive type sensors are used for high temperature applications. For solution-based pollution monitoring, dissolved oxygen sensors based on Clark electrodes have played a major role. More recently, for biological and medical applications, optical oxygen sensors are beginning to have an impact. In this review, we focus on both high temperature as well as dissolved oxygen sensors and compare the different methods of oxygen sensing, discuss underlying principles, and outline the designs and specific applications.     

Multisensor fusion and integration: approaches, applications, andfuture research directions

Multisensor fusion and integration is a rapidly evolving research area and requires interdisciplinary knowledge in control theory, signal processing, artificial intelligence, probability and statistics, etc. The advantages gained through the use of redundant, complementary, or more timely information in a system can provide more reliable and accurate information. This paper provides an overview of current sensor technologies and describes the paradigm of multisensor fusion and integration as well as fusion techniques at different fusion levels. Applications of multisensor fusion in robotics, biomedical system, equipment monitoring, remote sensing, and transportation system are also discussed. Finally, future research directions of multisensor fusion technology including microsensors, smart sensors, and adaptive fusion techniques are presented     

Advances in Rational Design and Materials of High‐Performance Stretchable Electromechanical Sensors

Stretchable and wearable sensor technology has attracted significant interests and created high technological impact on portable healthcare and smart human–machine interfaces. Wearable electromechanical systems are an important part of this technology that has recently witnessed tremendous progress toward high‐performance devices for commercialization. Over the past few years, great attention has been paid to simultaneously enhance the sensitivity and stretchability of the electromechanical sensors toward high sensitivity, ultra‐stretchability, low power consumption or self‐power functionalities, miniaturisation as well as simplicity in design and fabrication. This work presents state‐of‐the‐art advanced materials and rational designs of electromechanical sensors for wearable applications. Advances in various sensing concepts and structural designs for intrinsic stretchable conductive materials as well as advanced rational platforms are discussed. In addition, the practical applications and challenges in the development of stretchable electromechanical sensors are briefly mentioned and highlighted.     

Nanostructured Materials for Room‐Temperature Gas Sensors

Sensor technology has an important effect on many aspects in our society, and has gained much progress, propelled by the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Current research efforts are directed toward developing high‐performance gas sensors with low operating temperature at low fabrication costs. A gas sensor working at room temperature is very appealing as it provides very low power consumption and does not require a heater for high‐temperature operation, and hence simplifies the fabrication of sensor devices and reduces the operating cost. Nanostructured materials are at the core of the development of any room‐temperature sensing platform. The most important advances with regard to fundamental research, sensing mechanisms, and application of nanostructured materials for room‐temperature conductometric sensor devices are reviewed here. Particular emphasis is given to the relation between the nanostructure and sensor properties in an attempt to address structure–property correlations. Finally, some future research perspectives and new challenges that the field of room‐temperature sensors will have to address are also discussed.     

Development,applications, and future directions of triboelectric nanogenerators

Since the invention of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) in 2012, it has become one of the most vital innovations in energy harvesting technologies. The TENG has seen enormous progress to date, particularly in applications for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. It starts with the simple working principles of the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction, but can scavenge almost any kind of ambient mechanical energy in our daily life into electricity. Extraordinary output performance optimization of the TENG has been achieved, with high area power density and energy conversion efficiency. Moreover, TENGs can also be utilized as self-powered active sensors to monitor many environmental parameters. This review describes the recent progress in mainstream energy harvesting and self-powered sensing research based on TENG technology. The birth and development of the TENG are introduced, following which structural designs and performance optimizations for output performance enhancement of the TENG are discussed. The major applications of the TENG as a sustainable power source or a self-powered sensor are presented. The TENG, with rationally designed structures, can convert irregular and mostly low-frequency mechanical energies from the environment, such as human motion, mechanical vibration, moving automobiles, wind, raindrops, and ocean waves. In addition, the development of self-powered active sensors for a variety of environmental simulations based on the TENG is presented. The TENG plays a great role in promoting the development of emerging Internet of Things, which can make everyday objects connect more smartly and energy-efficiently in the coming years. Finally,the future directions and perspectives of the TENG are outlined. The TENG is not only a sustainable micro-power source for small devices, but also serves as a potential macro-scale generator of power from water waves in the future.

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State-of-the-art and recent developments in micro/nanoscale pressure sensors for smart wearable devices and health monitoring systems

Small-sized, low-cost, and high-sensitivity sensors are required for pressure-sensing applications because of their critical role in consumer electronics, automotive applications, and industrial environments. Thus, micro/nanoscale pressure sensors based on micro/nanofabrication and micro/nanoelectromechanical system technologies have emerged as a promising class of pressure sensors on account of their remarkable miniaturization and performance. These sensors have recently been developed to feature multifunctionality and applicability to novel scenarios, such as smart wearable devices and health monitoring systems. In this review, we summarize the major sensing principles used in micro/nanoscale pressure sensors and discuss recent progress in the development of four major categories of these sensors, namely, novel material-based, flexible, implantable, and selfpowered pressure sensors.     

全印制柔性应变传感器的原理与智能包装应用

目的随着可穿戴电子技术的快速发展,因具有较高的传感系数,柔性应变传感器在电子皮肤和机器人领域得到了广泛关注,但如何降低其制造成本成为一种挑战。近年来,印刷电子技术的快速发展推动了柔性应变传感器的发展,并逐渐在一些新的领域得到应用,尤其是智能包装领域。方法结合课题组在全印制应变传感器方面的研究进展,对柔性传感器的原理、印刷制造方法和主要应用进行综述。结论大量的研究表明,印刷柔性应变传感器已经开始应用于智能包装中,利用印刷电子技术制造智能包装也有利于降低其制造成本,推动其走向实际应用。     

Vacuum technology applied to solid state chemical sensors, processing, characterization and applications

This chapter will review several solid state chemical sensors with focus on the importance of ultra high vacuum, UHV, for the development of this area. Examples of sensors will be given where processing of sensors and sensing layers as well as characterization of chemical sensors takes place in UHV as well as examples of sensors for operation in UHV. Applications of chemical sensors both already commercialized and still on the research level will be given. Sensor technologies will span from metal oxide sensors, field effect transistor sensors to surface plasmon resonance, SPR, sensors and microcalorimeters. Examples of new challenging novel sensor approaches like sensors based on indirect SPR sensing and ultra sensitive graphene-based sensors for NO₂ detection will also be given.     

Optical Microresonators for Sensing and Transduction: A Materials Perspective

Optical microresonators confine light to a particular microscale trajectory, are exquisitely sensitive to their microenvironment, and offer convenient readout of their optical properties. Taken together, this is an immensely attractive combination that makes optical microresonators highly effective as sensors and transducers. Meanwhile, advances in material science, fabrication techniques, and photonic sensing strategies endow optical microresonators with new functionalities, unique transduction mechanisms, and in some cases, unparalleled sensitivities. In this progress report, the operating principles of these sensors are reviewed, and different methods of signal transduction are evaluated. Examples are shown of how choice of materials must be suited to the analyte, and how innovations in fabrication and sensing are coupled together in a mutually reinforcing cycle. A tremendously broad range of capabilities of microresonator sensors is described, from electric and magnetic field sensing to mechanical sensing, from single‐molecule detection to imaging and spectroscopy, from operation at high vacuum to in live cells. Emerging sensing capabilities are highlighted and put into context in the field. Future directions are imagined, where the diverse capabilities laid out are combined and advances in scalability and integration are implemented, leading to the creation of a sensor unparalleled in sensitivity and information content.     

Sensor technologies for monitoring metabolic activity in single cells-part I: optical methods

A review of optical, chemical, and biological sensors to detect metabolic activity at the single-cell level is presented in the context of the development of lab-on-a-chip research instrumentation. The sensors reviewed include optical sensors, at both research and commercial levels, that can optically detect intracellular metabolites including adenosine triphosphate, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide, reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide, and other metabolites, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and glucose. Methods to optically detect pH changes which are a general indicator of activity in extracellular space are also briefly reviewed. Performance metrics such as sensitivity, sensor size, drift, time response, and sensing range are included when available. Highly suitable optical sensor technologies for monitoring cellular metabolic activity include luminescent (fluorescent, phosphorescent, and chemiluminescent) and colorimetric optical probes. Different approaches to extracting luminescent and colorimetric information are reviewed, including benchtop techniques, fiber-optic approaches, and the use of probes encapsulated by biologically localized embedding. A brief discussion of alternate optical sensor technologies, such as surface plasmon resonance and infrared absorption spectroscopy, is also presented.     

温度传感功能薄膜技术

随着科学技术的不断进步,人们对温度信息获取的手段提出了新的要求,对温度传感器超小型化的要求越来越迫切,薄膜传感器的出现满足这一要求。薄膜温度传感器由于其优异的性能,在工业生产中越来越得到广泛应用。本文介绍了薄膜温度传感器的特点、种类、应用、测温机理、膜系及其主要制备工艺等,并探讨了薄膜热敏电阻、薄膜热电偶的标定方法,最后论述了温度传感功能薄膜的国内外发展现状及其目前需要解决的关键技术。     

Characterization of Integrated Tin Oxide Gas Sensors With Metal Additives and Ion Implantations

Post-treatment of the sensing film in tin oxide gas sensor arrays is widely used to improve the selectivity in gas recognition applications. This letter describes the characterization study of an integrated tin oxide gas sensor array chip in which the sensing films are modified using metal additives and ion implantations. Measurement results reveal that metal additives present a higher impact on the sensor sensitivity compared with ion implantations. The latter has no significant effect on the sensing properties. The drift is increased for the sensors with only ion implantation compared with the ones with metal additives. An array combining both post-treatment techniques is expected to improve the overall recognition performance.     

Nanomanufacturing and characterization modalities for bio-nano-informatics systems

In the next decade or two, the feature size of microelectronic devices will continue to decrease and is eventually expected to reach fabrication and material limits. With the field of microelectronics rapidly approaching the end of its roadmap, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created for the purpose of creating new technologies and to maintain the momentum of continuous scientific and technological progress. Primarily, the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology aim to synthesize, characterize, apply, and control macro functional molecules and consist of three areas. First, the area of bio-nanotechnologies concerns that of biological molecules such as DNA, the molecule that serves as the blueprint of all living organisms. Harnessing the intrinsic functionality of these nano-sized biological molecules, i.e., DNA/RNA and proteins, will yield enormous potential for a wide array of applications (biomedical, energy, sensing, etc.) Second, diminishing electronic device feature sizes has spurred the development of new techniques for nanoelectronics and has emerged as a critical area of research. Third, these macro functional molecules possess rich potential for various new nanomaterials that have applications in bio-nano and nanoelectronics industries. Given the range of devices and applications that may be generated and addressed, respectively, through the fruition of these areas, development of novel and advanced core characterization and nanomanufacturing technologies will serve as a requisite strategy toward the realization of the potential underlying nanotechnological development. As such, this review will address how these novel technologies will be used to achieve a true coalescence of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This, in turn, will ultimately benefit the human condition by using the building blocks and fundamental findings of nanoscience to develop systems based on the fusion of biology, nanotechnology, and informatics, with embedded intelligence and emergent behavior.     

Chemical sensors for portable, handheld field instruments

A review of three commonly used classes of chemical sensor technologies as applicable to implementation in portable, handheld field instruments is presented. Solid-state gas and chemical sensors have long been heralded as the solution to a wide variety of portable chemical sensing system applications. However, advances in optical sensing technology have reduced the size of supporting infrastructure to be competitive with their solid-state counterparts. Optical, solid-state, and hybrid arrays of sensors have application for portable instruments, but issues of insufficient selectivity and sensitivity continue to hamper the widespread introduction of these miniaturized sensors for solving chemical sensing problems in environments outside the laboratory. In this article, we evaluate three of the major classes of compact chemical sensors for portable applications: (solid-state) chemiresistors, (solid-state) CHEMFETs, and (optical) surface plasmon resonance sensors (SPR). These sensors are evaluated and reviewed, according to the current state of research, in terms of their ability to operate at low-power, small-size, and relatively low-cost in environments, with numerous interferents and variable ambient conditions