The first part of this article looked at the challenges of sensing nano-level flow rates such as found in the blood vessels. In contrast, the second part looked at graphene, an allotrope of elemental carbon at the heart of a new sensor used to measure those flows. This third and final part looks at the […]
Featured
Graphene-based flowmeter sensor measures nano-rate fluid flows, Part 2: The graphene context
The previous part of this article looked at the challenges of nanoflow sensors, especially with respect to blood flow. This part looks at graphene, which is the basis for the new sensor. Graphene is a material structure which did not exist until relatively recently. However, its constituent element of graphite – the crystalline form of […]
Graphene-based flowmeter sensor measures nano-rate fluid flows, Part 1: The challenge
When it comes to nearly all biological measurements, the ranges of many of the parameters of interest are orders-of-magnitude below those with which many engineers are familiar. Instead of megahertz or even kilohertz, the living-creature world is in the single or double-digit hertz range, such as the roughly 60+ beats per minute (BPM) for a […]
What are the different types of fingerprint scanners?
Fingerprint scanners, which were once reserved for biometric logging systems and attendance systems, are now part of regular smartphones and much more. Fingerprints have been a trusted method of personal identity. Combined with face id or other biometric identification systems like retina scanning, fingerprints offer an impeccable way to recognize any person. With a blast […]
EL5072 EtherCAT terminal enables direct connection of inductive displacement sensors
Integrating compact, precise displacement measurement into standard control technology reduces complexities The EL5072 EtherCAT Terminal from Beckhoff enables direct connection of up to two inductive displacement sensors, including transducers in LVDT and half-bridge designs or inductive angular position sensors in the RVDT version. Thus, precise position and distance measurements, e.g., in the context of process […]
What’s the weather like today – on Mars?
Common question. New planet. It’s April and in the Gale Crater, where the Curiosity rover is currently exploring, that means early autumn temperatures: highs around 10°F and lows less than -100°F reported from its Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS). In addition to air and ground temperatures around the rover, other measurements include atmospheric pressure, humidity […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 3: Variations
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages and implementation limitations. The previous part of this article looked at two approaches to using optical fibers for temperature sensing based on the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 2: Principles
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages but also implementation limitations. The first part of this article discussed general issues of sensing of physical parameters, especially temperature, and total internal reflection in optical fibers. This section will look at […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 1: Context
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages and implementation limitations. Temperature is the most widely sensed physical parameter; it’s that simple. What’s not simple is the many ways we have of measuring it through the use of sensors such […]
How can CO2 sensing help overcome COVID-19?
One sensing tool that has played an important role since the beginning of COVID-19 is data logging. Data loggers use a wide variety of sensors to measure everything from temperature to illuminance. One specific type of data logger equipped with a CO2 sensor has been used since the beginning of the pandemic to monitor and […]
