Sensors

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.

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.

The low cost and direct digital output of CMOS smart temperature sensors are important advantages compared to conventional temperature sensors. This book addresses the main problem that nevertheless prevents widespread - plication of CMOS smart temperature sensors: their relatively poor absolute accuracy. Several new techniques are introduced to improve this accuracy. The effectiveness of these techniques is demonstrated using three prototypes. ? The ?nal prototype achieves an inaccuracy of±0.1 C over the military t- perature range, which is a signi?cant improvement in the state of the art. Since smart temperature sensors have been the subject of academic and industrial research for more than two decades, an overview of existing knowledge and techniques is also provided throughout the book. Inthisintroductorychapter,themotivationandobjectivesofthisworkare- scribed.

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 focuses on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique covering fibre optic sensor research. It highlights recent advancements in geometric feature-based fibre optic SPR sensors for chemical/biochemical/biosensor applications. The contents also discuss the principle of the SPR sensing technique as well as various designs of fibre optic SPR probes for improving sensor sensitivity. It also includes numerous examples of SPR-based fibre optic sensors with various geometric (such as U-type, taper type, D-type, and interferometric-based) sensors. This volume will be a useful reference to those in academia and industry especially researchers with useful information focusing on fibre optic SPR sensors.