by Edward E. Herceg, VP and CTO, Alliance Sensors Group For analog sensor data transmission, a 4-20 mA current loop is a very common method to convey the sensor data acquired. Sensors or transducers are usually designed to measure a range of values of the measured parameter, which is known as the measurand. The measurand […]
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
How has COVID-19 impacted the sensor market?
In its current report, “Smart Sensors Market – Growth, Trends, Forecasts (2020 – 2025),” Mordor Intelligence, a market research firm, includes information regarding the direct impact of COVID-19 as well as the indirect impact from other industries on the sensor market. Taking this into account, the report forecasts that the smart sensors market will grow […]
How can sensors ensure safety for extreme temperature requirements?
The medical device industry requires extreme high temperatures in autoclaves to disinfect reusable devices and tools. As we have been reminded of recently with announcement of COVID-19 antibiotics, medicines as well as bio-samples require low temperatures for preservation in storage and transportation. Both of these extremes require sensors to monitor and maintain the proper temperature […]
What is exponential technology?
In his presentation at the COMSWORLD2020 virtual event, Janusz Bryzek of eXo Imaging, described many details to support his premise of the exponential acceleration of healthcare problems. According to Bryzek, the convergence of exponential technologies or ExTech is accelerating the availability of healthcare to all. Exponential technologies include different types of health sensors, big data, […]
What is a Molecular Property Spectrometer sensor?
To measure and classify a wide range of combustible gases, NevadaNano has integrated multiple, complementary chemical sensors on a single silicon chip called the Molecular Property Spectrometer or MPS sensor. The chip’s patented array of micro-cantilevers with integrated piezoelectric sensing elements provides electrical actuation and sensing of resonance frequency. Monitoring resonance is a highly sensitive […]
What is anosmia?
One of the common symptoms of COVID-19 is loss of smell or anosmia. This is not uncommon for patients with viral upper respiratory infections. The good news is this is temporary in most cases. The bad news is this prevents the personal detection of odors associated with critical odors from gas leaks, smoke from fires […]
Creating cryogenic environments for electronics
This FAQ series has gone to extremes and looked at “electronics that operate in extreme heat” (up to 800°C) and “electronics that operate in extreme cold” at cryogenic temperatures. This third and final FAQ will consider the various methods available to create artificial cryogenic environments. The temperature where refrigerated temperatures end and cryogenic temperatures begin […]
Electronics that operate in cryogenic cold
The first part of this FAQ series looked at “electronics that operate in extreme heat” (up to 800°C). This FAQ delves into the opposite end of the temperature spectrum and heads toward absolute zero. There are several existing cryogenic electronics applications, including superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for measuring extremely subtle magnetic fields, microwave preamplification, […]
Electronics that operate in extreme heat to 800°C
Extreme environments require electronic systems capable of surviving beyond the MIL-STD operating temperature range of -55°C to +125°C. This FAQ series will go to extremes and look at super hot electronics (up to 800°C) and cryogenic electronics. Part one of this series looks at electronics that operate in extreme heat. Part two will look at […]
What is photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS)?
Identified in the 19th century, the photoacoustic effect allows the conversion of light into sound and has been employed in devices such as non-dispersive infrared absorption spectroscopy (NDIR), which was the first commercially available device to detect gases using this effect. Modulating the light intensity produces a periodic pressure variation, which is measured with a […]