scholarly journals A Low Cost Inkjet-Printed Mass Sensor Using a Frequency Readout Strategy

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4878
Author(s):  
Bruno Andò ◽  
Salvatore Baglio ◽  
Vincenzo Marletta ◽  
Ruben Crispino

The development of low-cost mass sensors is of unique interest for the scientific community due to the wide range of fields requiring these kind of devices. In this paper, a full inkjet-printed mass sensor is proposed. The device is based on a PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) cantilever beam (operating in its first natural frequency) where a strain-sensor and a planar coil have been realized by a low-cost InkJet Printing technology to implement the sensing and actuation strategies, respectively. The frequency readout strategy of the sensor presents several advantages, such as the intrinsic robustness against instabilities of the strain sensor, the residual stress of the cantilever beam, the target mass material, and the distance between the permanent magnet and the actuation coil (which changes as a function of the target mass values). However, the frictionless actuation mode represents another shortcoming of the sensor. The paper describes the sensor design, realization, and characterization while investigating its expected behavior by exploiting dedicate models. The working span of the device is 0–0.36 g while its resolution is in the order of 0.001 g, thus addressing a wide range of potential applications requiring very accurate mass measurements within a narrow operating range.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Bruno Andò ◽  
Salvatore Baglio ◽  
Ruben Crispino ◽  
Vincenzo Marletta

The rapid prototyping of low-cost sensors is assuming strategic importance in several application fields. In this paper, a fully inkjet printed mass sensor is proposed. The device consists of a poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET) cantilever beam, which is driven to its resonant mode by an electromagnetic actuation mechanism, implemented through the interaction between a current impulse flowing through a planar coil (inkjet printed on the PET beam), and a permanent magnet, facing the actuation coil. Target masses are positioned close to the beam end. The sensing methodology, based on the relationship between the beam first natural frequency and the target mass, is implemented through a strain gauge (inkjet printed across the fixed end of the cantilever). The resonant operating mode of the sensor confers intrinsic robustness against instabilities of the strain sensor structure (e.g., the residual stress of the cantilever beam), the target mass material and the magnet–coil distance. The latter indeed changes as a function of the target mass values. The friction-less actuation mode is another shortcoming of the sensor, as well as the low-cost feature arising from the adopted technology. As far as we know, the solution proposed is the first example of a low-cost fully printed mass sensor. The operating range of the device is 0–0.36 g while its resolution is in the order of 1.0 mg, thus addressing crucial application fields. A Q factor around 35 has been estimated, which confirms the suitable performances of the sensor in term of selectivity and resolution.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Darwish

Electromagnetic waves can have serious effects on human health by long-term exposure. Developing lightweight materials with good electromagnetic radiation shielding (EMS) that could prevent interference is a high desire for protection. Nanocomposites polymers have a wide range of potential applications and offers suggested solutions in environmental and aerospace applications. This chapter will cover the current challenge in the reduction of electromagnetic wave by developing lightweight absorber material with a wide absorption frequency. A wide range of different nanocomposites polymers contain conductive fillers such as metal or magnetic nanoparticles and carbon-based materials will be discussed. In addition, EMS mechanisms of reflection, absorption, and multiple reflections will be discussed. The unique of the chemical and physical properties of nanocomposites polymers are promising for shielding with low-cost environmentally friendly material.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Darwish

Electromagnetic waves can have serious effects on human health by long-term exposure. Developing lightweight materials with good electromagnetic radiation shielding (EMS) that could prevent interference is a high desire for protection. Nanocomposites polymers have a wide range of potential applications and offers suggested solutions in environmental and aerospace applications. This chapter will cover the current challenge in the reduction of electromagnetic wave by developing lightweight absorber material with a wide absorption frequency. A wide range of different nanocomposites polymers contain conductive fillers such as metal or magnetic nanoparticles and carbon-based materials will be discussed. In addition, EMS mechanisms of reflection, absorption, and multiple reflections will be discussed. The unique of the chemical and physical properties of nanocomposites polymers are promising for shielding with low-cost environmentally friendly material.


Author(s):  
Vishnu D. Rajput ◽  
Tatiana Minkina ◽  
Richard Kimber ◽  
Vipin Kumar Singh ◽  
Sudhir Shende ◽  
...  

The exploitation of microorganisms for the fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs) has garnered considerable research interest globally. The microbiological transformation of metals and metal salts into respective NPs can be achieved under environmentally benign conditions, offering a more sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis methods. Species of the metal-reducing bacterial genus Shewanella are able to couple the oxidation of various electron donors including lactate, pyruvate and hydrogen, to the reduction of a wide range of metal species, resulting in biomineralization of a multitude of metal NPs. Single metal-based NPs as well as composite materials with properties equivalent or even superior to physically and chemically produced NPs have been synthesized by a number of Shewanella species. A mechanistic understanding of electron transfer mediated bioreduction of metals into respective NPs by Shewanella is crucial in maximizing NP yields and directing the synthesis to produce fine-tuned NPs with tailored properties. In addition, thorough investigations into the influence of process parameters controlling the biosynthesis is another focal point for optimizing the process of NP generation. Synthesis of metal-based NPs using Shewanella species offers a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to current physiochemical methods. This article aims to shed light on the contribution of Shewanella as a model organism in the biosynthesis of a variety of NPs, and critically reviews the current state of knowledge on factors controlling their synthesis, characterization, potential applications in different sectors and future prospects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
Jahanbakhsh Reisi Ardali ◽  
Reza Ghaderi ◽  
Farhad Raeiszadeh

Microbeams have a wide range of applications as sensors and actuators in nanotechnology, biotechnology, microelectromechanical systems, and optics. Given their micrometer dimensions, these beams make precision mass sensors of sub-nanogram accuracy. An important challenge regarding mass sensors is to enhance their sensitivity and accuracy. Considering the fact that, this type of sensor operates based on the resonance frequency variations caused by nanoparticle absorption in the dynamic mode, the geometry of the microbeam is considered an important parameter affecting their sensitivity. This paper studies the rectangular microbeam, which is one of the most commonly used types of mass sensors. Three main models were selected by applying inner and outer cuts on the microbeam, and vibrating simulation was carried out using ABAQUS software for a total of 36 mass sensor configurations with different aspect ratios. Simulation results in two selected rectangular microbeam models with outer cuts show the sensitivity of the microsensor increases with increased microbeam rigidity. The triangular hollow microbeam was found to be the best design among the four models selected to be used as mass sensors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6983
Author(s):  
Xue Qi ◽  
Heebo Ha ◽  
Byungil Hwang ◽  
Sooman Lim

Printing technology enables not only high-volume, multipurpose, low-impact, low-cost manufacturing, but also the introduction of flexible electronic devices, such as displays, actuators, and sensors, to a wide range of consumer markets. Consequently, in the past few decades, printed electronic products have attracted considerable interest. Although flexible printed electronic products are attracting increasing attention from the scientific and industrial communities, a systematic study on their sensing performance based on printability has not been reported so far. In this study, carbon black/Ag nanocomposites were utilized as pastes for a flexible wearable strain sensor. The effects of the rheological property of the pastes and the pattern dimensions of the printed electrodes on the sensor’s performance were investigated. Consequently, the printed sensor demonstrated a high gauge factor of 444.5 for an applied strain of 0.6% to 1.4% with a durability of 1000 cycles and a linearity of R2 = 0.9974. The sensor was also stable under tough environmental conditions.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1308
Author(s):  
Weichi Zhang ◽  
Liwen You ◽  
Xiao Meng ◽  
Bozhi Wang ◽  
Dabin Lin

With the rapid growth of numerous portable electronics, it is critical to develop high-performance, lightweight, and environmentally sustainable energy generation and power supply systems. The flexible nanogenerators, including piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), are currently viable candidates for combination with personal devices and wireless sensors to achieve sustained energy for long-term working circumstances due to their great mechanical qualities, superior environmental adaptability, and outstanding energy-harvesting performance. Conductive materials for electrode as the critical component in nanogenerators, have been intensively investigated to optimize their performance and avoid high-cost and time-consuming manufacture processing. Recently, because of their low cost, large-scale production, simple synthesis procedures, and controlled electrical conductivity, conducting polymers (CPs) have been utilized in a wide range of scientific domains. CPs have also become increasingly significant in nanogenerators. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on CP-based PENG and TENG for biomechanical energy harvesting. A thorough overview of recent advancements and development of CP-based nanogenerators with various configurations are presented and prospects of scientific and technological challenges from performance to potential applications are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110165
Author(s):  
Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽  
Fatemeh Ranjbaran ◽  
Asghar Sattari

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the role of information and information resources in the awareness, control, and prevention of COVID-19. This study was a descriptive-analytical survey in which 450 participants were selected for the study. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data through SPSS. The findings show that a wide range of mass media has become well known as information resources for COVID-19. Other findings indicate a significant statistical difference in the rate of using information resources during COVID-19 based on age and gender; however, this difference is not significant regarding the reliability of information resources with regard to age and gender. Health information has an undisputable role in the prevention and control of pandemic diseases such as COVID-19. Providing accurate, reliable, and evidence-based information in a timely manner for the use of resources and information channels related to COVID-19 can be a fast and low-cost strategic approach in confronting this disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Antinori ◽  
Marco Contardi ◽  
Giulia Suarato ◽  
Andrea Armirotti ◽  
Rosalia Bertorelli ◽  
...  

AbstractMycelia, the vegetative part of fungi, are emerging as the avant-garde generation of natural, sustainable, and biodegradable materials for a wide range of applications. They are constituted of a self-growing and interconnected fibrous network of elongated cells, and their chemical and physical properties can be adjusted depending on the conditions of growth and the substrate they are fed upon. So far, only extracts and derivatives from mycelia have been evaluated and tested for biomedical applications. In this study, the entire fibrous structures of mycelia of the edible fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum are presented as self-growing bio-composites that mimic the extracellular matrix of human body tissues, ideal as tissue engineering bio-scaffolds. To this purpose, the two mycelial strains are inactivated by autoclaving after growth, and their morphology, cell wall chemical composition, and hydrodynamical and mechanical features are studied. Finally, their biocompatibility and direct interaction with primary human dermal fibroblasts are investigated. The findings demonstrate the potentiality of mycelia as all-natural and low-cost bio-scaffolds, alternative to the tissue engineering systems currently in place.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1807
Author(s):  
Estefanía Álvarez-Castillo ◽  
José Manuel Aguilar ◽  
Carlos Bengoechea ◽  
María Luisa López-Castejón ◽  
Antonio Guerrero

Composite materials based on proteins and carbohydrates normally offer improved water solubility, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them attractive for a wide range of applications. Soy protein isolate (SPI) has shown superabsorbent properties that are useful in fields such as agriculture. Alginate salts (ALG) are linear anionic polysaccharides obtained at a low cost from brown algae, displaying a good enough biocompatibility to be considered for medical applications. As alginates are quite hydrophilic, the exchange of ions from guluronic acid present in its molecular structure with divalent cations, particularly Ca2+, may induce its gelation, which would inhibit its solubilization in water. Both biopolymers SPI and ALG were used to produce composites through injection moulding using glycerol (Gly) as a plasticizer. Different biopolymer/plasticizer ratios were employed, and the SPI/ALG ratio within the biopolymer fraction was also varied. Furthermore, composites were immersed in different CaCl2 solutions to inhibit the amount of soluble matter loss and to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting porous matrices. The main goal of the present work was the development and characterization of green porous matrices with inhibited solubility thanks to the gelation of alginate.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document