Body Sensors

Autonomous sensors transmit data and power their electronics without using cables. They can be found in e.g. wireless sensor networks (WSNs) or remote acquisition systems. Although primary batteries provide a simple design for powering autonomous sensors, they present several limitations such as limited capacity and power density, and difficulty in predicting their condition and state of charge. An alternative is to extract energy from the ambient (energy harvesting). However, the reduced dimensions of most autonomous sensors lead to a low level of available power from the energy transducer. Thus, efficient methods and circuits to manage and gather the energy are a must.

Sensors are used to measure physical, chemical and biological quantities. The book offers a comprehensive overview of physical principles, functions and applications of sensors. It is structured according to the fields of activity of sensors and shows their application by means of typical examples.

Complex systems are systems composed of different components that interact with each other. A well-known example of complex systems are the so-called intelligent transportation systems (ITS). In such systems, amongst others, the environment is highly dynamic. Complex systems often manifest rich, non-trivial and unexpected behaviours. Examples of transportation-related complex systems are: road traffic, traffic sensors, autonomous/automated cars, smart cities, smart sensors, virtual sensors, traffic control systems, smart roads, logistics systems, smart mobility systems, etc.

This book presents recent advances in the design, fabrication and implementation of flexible printed sensors. It explores a range of materials for developing the electrode and substrate parts of the sensors, on the basis of their electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Sensors are used to measure physical, chemical and biological quantities. The book offers a comprehensive overview of physical principles, functions and applications of sensors. It is structured according to the fields of activity of sensors and shows their application by means of typical examples.

Sensors are used to measure physical, chemical and biological quantities. The book offers a comprehensive overview of physical principles, functions and applications of sensors. It is structured according to the fields of activity of sensors and shows their application by means of typical examples.

Controlling the mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of materials by advanced fabrication methods (Le. ; Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) has become the new paradigm in our research era. Sensors, being the most vital part of the electronic data processing and decision making machines, stand to gain the most from engineering of the properties of materials. Microfabrication technology has already contributed significantly to the batch fabrication of micro-sensors with higher over all qualities compared to their counterparts that are fabricated using other methods. Batch fabrication of micro-sensors i) results in more uniform properties of co-fabricated devices, ii) nearly eliminates the need for characterization of individual sensors, and iii) eliminates a need for laborious alignment procedures. A less obvious benefit of using microfabrication methods is the possibility of precise control over the dimensions of the sensor. This control enables engineering of some of the properties of the material which affect the sensor's operation. There are many examples of this in the literature. Optical sensors are known to have superior properties over their counterparts that use other (i. e. ; electrostatic and magnetic) means of detection. To name a few, these advantages are: i) immunity to electromagnetic interferences, ii) higher sensitivities compared to the other types of sensors, iii) simplicity of operation principles, and iv) simplicity of overall construction.