Piezoelectric is the property of a material to generate a voltage when mechanical force is applied to it. In contrast, the piezoresistive effect is the property of a material’s resistivity to change when subjected to a mechanical force. In either case, the mechanical force or stress can be compression, tension or a bending force. Ceramic […]
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The working principle, applications and limitations of ultrasonic sensors
The ultrasonic sensor (or transducer) works on the same principles as a radar system. An ultrasonic sensor can convert electrical energy into acoustic waves and vice versa. The acoustic wave signal is an ultrasonic wave traveling at a frequency above 18kHz. The famous HC SR04 ultrasonic sensor generates ultrasonic waves at 40kHz frequency. Typically, a […]
Does the Eye of Horus represent a smart sensor or smart sensing?
There are five human senses. However, the Eye of Horus used by Egyptians for thousands of years to provide protection, health and rejuvenation, depicts six senses: the usual smell, sight, taste, hearing and touch — as well as thought. Since thought is a process, could it indicate the addition of “smart” or a sensor processing […]
What are the results of the 2019 MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card survey? Pt 2
Roger Grace Associates MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card (Report Card) Study for 2019 showed its overall grade remaining at B-, which has been so since 2014. This consistency demonstrates the maturity of the MEMS industry. The standard deviation from 1998 to 2019 was 0.55. Conducted annually since its inception in 1998 by Roger Grace of […]
What will CES 2021 be like?
The CES 2021 Virtual Press Briefing on Dec. 15 provided details of how CES 2021, the first all-digital event, will be held to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With CES ability to attract leading technology companies from around the world that plan new product introductions for the event and the number of sensors and […]
What sensors are in a modern washing machine? Pt 2
In today’s washing machines, especially high-end units, several sensors provide real-time monitoring and feedback to shorten or improve certain functions. In addition to the latest touch screen inputs discussed in Pt 1 of this blog, other sensors include: Temperature Rotor position sensor Water level Dirt sensor Photoelectric sensor Pressure sensor Vibration sensor To select the […]
What are the different types of light sensors?
Light sensors or photosensors, which are designed to measure light intensity, are one of the most commonly used sensors in electronic applications. Light intensity is one of the seven base physical quantities. The measurement of light intensity is useful in many consumer, industrial, and security applications. What is a light sensor? A light sensor is […]
What sensors are in a modern washing machine? Pt 1
The number and different types of sensors in cars and smartphones are cited frequently and certainly are impressive. However, sensor usage in many other areas is increasing as well. Appliances, which are not replaced as frequently as vehicles and smartphones, could surprise many people with the different sensing functions and types of sensors used in […]
How to design an LDR light/dark sensor using Arduino
Light sensors are widely used in electronic applications. The most common one used is a photoresistor or light-dependent resistor. Despite a long response time, this sensor is inexpensive and useful in several applications. A photoresistor consists of a zigzag track of photo-sensitive semiconductors. It offers pure resistance although this is dependent on the ambient light. […]
What sensors allow robots to work collaboratively and safely with humans?
If advanced factories strictly concentrate on the machinery without taking human beings into account, will the robots have to consume the products they build? When Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line to mass produce an entire automobile (Dec. 1, 1913), he more than doubled the wages of assembly line workers to stabilize his […]
