Reducing Warm Up Time of NDIR Gas Sensors

MEMS-based electrically-efficient infrared sources from Axetris — In a number of gas detection applications, a short warm-up time of the NDIR gas sensor is critical. Especially for applications where discrete measurements need to be made, and where the gas sensor is not continuously switched on, a short warm-up time is absolutely essential. This is the case for portable gas detection devices, e.g. for combustible and toxic gas detection, refrigerant leak detection or breath alcohol measurement.

Gas sensors based on non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy can guarantee accurate gas concentration values only after a thermally stable state is achieved. The MEMS-based infrared sources from Axetris are produced using a unique thin-film process, and exhibit very high electrical efficiency. This leads to lower optical losses in the form of dissipated heat. 

Additionally, the emitting blackbody structure has a very low thermal mass, leading to a quick heating time constant of 11 milliseconds.

Besides the inherent advantages offered by the design of the infrared sources, Axetris supports its customers with comprehensive characterization information, as well as by suggesting efficient integration practices in order to achieve a quick warm-up phase. 

Thermal management thus becomes an easy task, and a quick warm-up time of the NDIR gas sensor can be achieved.

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Scientists develop force sensor from carbon nanotubes

A group of researchers from Russia, Belarus and Spain, including Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology professor Yury Lozovik, have developed a microscopic force sensor based on carbon nanotubes. The device is described in an article published in the journal Computational Materials Science and is also available as a preprint.

The scientists proposed using two nanotubes, one of which is a long cylinder with double walls one atom thick. These tubes are placed so that their open ends are opposite to each other. Voltage is then applied to them, and a current of about 10nAflows through the circuit.

Carbon tube walls are good conductors, and along the gap between the ends of the nanotubes the current flows thanks to the tunnel effect, which is a quantum phenomenon where electrons pass through a barrier that is considered insurmountable in classical mechanics.

This current is called tunneling current and is widely used in practice. There are, for example, tunnel diodes, wherein current flows through the potential barrier of the p-n junction.

Another example is a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), in which the surface of a sample is scanned with a very sharp needle under voltage. The needle slides along the surface, and the magnitude of the current flowing through it shows the distance to the sample with such accuracy that the STM can detect protrusions one atom high.

The authors of the article used the relationship between the tunneling current and the distance between the ends of the nanotubes to determine the relative position of the carbon nanotubes and thus to find the magnitude of the external force exerted on them.

The new sensor allows the position of coaxial cylinders in two-layer nanotubes to be controlled quite accurately. As a result, it is possible to determine the stretch of an n-scale object, to which electrodes are attached. Calculations made by the researchers showed the possibility of recording forces of a few tenths of a nN(10-10newtons). To make it clearer, a single bacterium weighs about 10-14newtons on average, and a mosquito weighs a few dozen mcN (10-5 N).However, the device developed by the physicists may find application beyond micro scales.

A double-layered coaxial nanotube is akin to a microscopic cylinder with a sliding piston. Such a system has already been considered by a number of other researchers as a potential part for various types of nanomachines. Nanotubes have been proposed for the role of micromanipulators, or connecting "studs" for complex mechanisms, and they may even be used for data storage; the position of the inner "piston" may encode one bit of information or more.

Furthermore, calculations have shown that it is possible to create a combined device, where inside a two-layer carbon nanotube there will be magnetic fullerenes. When placed in a magnetic field, a power will emerge, which could be measured by changes in the magnitude of tunneling current. This will convert the force sensor into a magnetic field sensor.

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Fooling mosquito CO2 sensors to tackle malaria

Research by scientists at the University of California Riverside, US, could pave the way for novel insect repellents to tackle the spread of deadly tropical diseases. Insects such as mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide in exhaled breath to track down their prey and Anandasankar Ray and his group have shown it's possible to use odorant molecules to disrupt the insects' carbon dioxide sensing machinery.

'We'd already shown volatile odorants can block the CO₂ receptor in fruitflies. This receptor is well conserved across many insects and we thought the chemicals might also work in other insects,' Ray says. 

They studied three mosquito species that transmit malaria and dengue fever in the lab and in field trials in Kenya, and found three useful classes of volatile odorants.¹ Chemicals like hexanal block the CO₂ receptor; others, such as 2-butanone, mimic CO₂'s activity, fooling insects into thinking CO₂ is present. Ray is most excited about the third class - ultra-prolonged activators of the CO₂ receptor, such as 2,3-butanedione. 'Even brief exposure can stimulate the sensory neuron so strongly it keeps firing for several minutes, preventing CO₂ detection,' he says. 
Evaporating tiny quantities of an ultra-prolonged activator might provide widespread protection against mosquitoes by masking breathed out CO₂. This has great potential in the developing world. 'One application could protect an entire hut,' Ray says. They are now looking for odorants that are 10 to 100-fold more effective than those tested in the proof-of-principle study and have carried out a virtual screen of 500,000 compounds. 
Currently, mosquito traps are either large and expensive or ineffective. CO₂ mimics could lure mosquitoes into the traps without the need for CO₂, making traps smaller and cheaper. 
Ideally, he says, molecules already tested for safety in flavour & fragrance applications will prove effective and a spin-out company, OlFactor Laboratories, has been set up. 'Optimistically, we may have a prototype in a couple of years,' he says. 'But the idea that odour molecules in very small quantities can have a dramatic effect on the behaviour of such dangerous insects is really attractive.'
In an accompanying commentary, Mark Stopfer of the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development says the work bodes well in the hunt for new strategies to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.² However, he cautions, it might not be that simple. 'Because mosquitoes are also attracted to other human body odours in sweat, breath and skin, it remains to be seen how effective these compounds will be for protecting people,' he says.

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Senix Introduces Two New Liquid Level Sensors For Remote Montoring Applications

Senix’s new ToughSonic REMOTE 30 and ToughSonic REMOTE 50 sensors are all-digital, lightning-resistant, energy efficient sensors designed specifically for the demands of irrigation automation, flood monitoring and other remote level measurement applications. Stainless steel housings, NEMA-6P and IP68 ratings and 7 kilovolt surge protection make them tough enough to withstand any outdoor environment.

Senix Corporation, manufacturer of ToughSonic® ultrasonic level and distance sensors, has introduced two new remote liquid level sensors. The ToughSonic REMOTE 30 and REMOTE 50 are designed for larger remote tank applications or for installation on bridges or piers in water level monitoring applications.

The ToughSonic REMOTE 30 has a maximum range of 30 feet (9.1 meters) and the ToughSonic REMOTE 50 has a maximum range of 50 feet (15.2 meters). These new sensors join the previously released ToughSonic REMOTE 14 to complete the REMOTE sensor family.

Increasing droughts and floods around the world are driving investment in sophisticated water level monitoring systems. The ToughSonic REMOTE family of sensors are designed for those demanding applications. “The technology behind these new sensors has been field-proven in all weather conditions since 2011.” Says Doug Boehm, founder and CTO of Senix Corporation. “We have remote level sensors operating reliably in Alaska, the Australian Outback, and just about every climate in between.”

The ToughSonic REMOTE 30 and REMOTE 50 ultrasonic sensors are IP68/NEMA-6P immersion rated and include Senix Lightning Guard, a system that protects power and communications circuits from repeated 7 kilovolt electrical surges. “Senix customers are installing remote water level sensors where thousands of lightning strikes a year are common. Nothing stops a direct strike, but 7kV surge protection allows sensors to survive transients from nearby strikes.” Says Doug Boehm.

Serial data communications with Modbus or ASCII protocols allow ToughSonic REMOTE sensors to communicate directly with Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and other data collection devices. They are ready to measure within one second of power-on and use up to 21% less energy than our general purpose products – important when sensors are powered by solar panels and batteries.

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Non-contact Temperature Sensors Exhibit Increased Penetration into Diverse Applications

This research service provides a perspective on the global infrastructure and buildings market. It focuses on both end-user markets and key sensors used. The most significant trends, drivers, and restraints that impact each have been discussed. The research service focuses on both existing and forecasted revenues for the segments and total markets.

This research service also provides a detailed snapshot of the market's competitive landscape and presents a forecast of revenue growth. Special focus is given to trends related to two key vertical markets, applications, distribution, technology, and value chain. As these sensors are highly technical, a detailed discussion on various technological aspects has been included in this deliverable.

Key Findings:

• An optical pyrometer determines the temperature of a very hot object by the color of the visible light it gives off. A radiation pyrometer determines the temperature of an object from the radiation (IR) given off by the object.
• Although the term pyrometer is generally considered to apply to instruments that measure high temperatures only, some pyrometers are designed to measure low temperatures.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Market Overview

3. Market Dynamics-Key Drivers and Restraints

4. Forecasts and Key Technology Trends-Total Temperature Sensors Market

5. Market Share Analysis-Total Temperature Sensors Market

6. IR Temperature Sensors Segment

7. Forecasts and Trends-IR Temperature Sensors Segment

8. Market Share and Product Profiles of Key Companies by Product Type-IR Temperature Sensors Segment

9. Pyrometers Segment

10. Emerging Markets and Opportunities Analysis

11. Temperature Sensors Used Differently

12. Cryogenic Temperature Sensors-Product Types, Applications, and Key Companies

13. Purchase Process Analysis of Temperature Sensors

14. The Last Word

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Mini-Varicon Dielectric/Conductivity Sensor from Lambient Technologies

The Mini-Varicon dielectric/conductivity sensor, available from Lambient Technologies, is designed for use with molds, laminates, presses, and bulk materials. It is modeled on a polyimide substrate and can enable users to select high or low sensitivity utilizing the whole sensor or by cutting off portions of the array at an assigned line. The sensor can be supplied either with custom-length Teflon-insulated leads or without leads.

The Mini-Varicon sensor measures 1.5” (4.0cm) in length and 0.004” (100µm) in thickness, and its tin-plated electrodes contain 0.004” (100µm) widths and spaces. It can measure the given materials’ dielectric/conductive properties within approximately 0.004” (100µm) of the electrode surface.

The Mini-Varicon sensor is ideal for high pressure applications. It is suitable for evaluating the dielectric properties and cure state of epoxies, molding compound (SMC), bulk molding compound (BMC), RIM, thermosets, urethanes, silicones and composite materials.

Key Features

The main features of the Mini- Varicon dielectric/conductivity sensor are as follows:

• Thin, flexible dielectric sensor
• Modeled on a polyimide substrate
• Suitable for high pressure applications
• Tolerates temperatures up to 375°C without leads and operates up to 200°C with leads

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NASA’s Methane Sensing Drone Was Successfully Tested

Generally, we expect NASA to design technology related to space travel. And that is exactly what they do. But occasionally, because of the intense work and testing that goes into designing a NASA piece of technology, it tends to be often implemented in other technological fields. Otherwise, a lot of good, efficient work would go to waste.
So, other important pieces of technology are often developed using the same principles, if not some of the same hardware that NASA themselves use. And the Agency, in desperate need of funding, is often involved in the production of those as well. Developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, NASA’s methane sensing drone was successfully tested.
Called the sUAS, or the Vertical Take-off and Landing small unmanned aerial system, the drone carrying the methane sensor was especially picked for the increased maneuverability and access offered to the sensor. The best feature of the sUAS is its very high vertical access which allows the sensor to get as close as it needs to pretty much any possible source of gas.
But the sensor is the real impressive part regarding the whole rig. Similar to the one developed by JPL to be used on Mars, the sensor enables the detection of methane gas with a far superior sensitivity than any other previous device designed for this particular purpose. Among its wide range of applications, it’s very useful in detecting small methane leaks on industrial pipelines.
Funded by the Pipeline Research Council International, the device has been tested and underwent various demonstrations since 2014. The most recent series of testing in regards to NASA’s Open Path Laser Spectrometer took place in Central California, at the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve.
According to Lance Christensen, JPL principal investigator of NASA’s Open Path Laser Spectrometer,
These tests mark the latest chapter in the development of what we believe will eventually be a universal methane monitoring system for detecting fugitive natural-gas emissions and contributing to studies of climate change.
The test flights for the drone were conducted in February by researchers from the MESA (Mechatronics, Embedded Systems and Automation) Lab in Merced. They mostly consisted of flying the drone at various distances from methane source in order to more accurately determine its accuracy, mobility, and resistance.
Further attempts at perfecting the entire rig will consist of fixing the sensor to a fixed wing unmanned aerial system, which would allow it to fly for longer times and distances, making it ideal for detecting possible leaks in pipelines situates in remote, rural areas.

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Help with understanding how photo sensors work

I simply do not understand how photo sensors work. I'm talking about the ones in digital cameras. They basically take the light and form that into a code so the computer can read it right? But I don't get how this all happens. Like I read somewhere that a photo sensor contains millions of pixels, but I thought the sensor chip was just made out of silicon? And I keep reading that a sensor's job is to take electrical charges and convert them into pixels...huh? Where do electrons come in when taking a photo of light? I keep reading different things, and I've been here sitting on my a** reading article after article only to get more and more confused...

I'm sorry that I am super ignorant on this topic. I am really bad when it comes to wavelengths, energy, and all that stuff, so please explain it to me in language that like a 5th grader could understand if you have some spare time to help me out..

also, could you clarify to me what this quote means :
According to an article entitled “Sensors Explained,” “as the charge output from each location is proportional to the intensity of light falling onto it, it becomes possible to reproduce the scene as the photographer originally saw it.” (WhatDigitalCamera.com).

Thanks for reading, any help is appreciated!

EDIT: Thanks for all the help everyone!! I am truly grateful that you took the time out of you day to help me out!

A photo sensor is made of silicon in same way as for example a CPU. Thus, it consists of a large number of interconnected parts. In the case of a photo sensor most of these parts are so called photosites, which are arranged in a grid structure forming the pixels of the sensor. These photosites are essentially small solar cells and can convert light into electricity, i.e., electrons. These then get read out and converted into numbers, which in turn make up the final image. Color is created by putting color filters in front of some of the pixels so they are only sensitive to light of a certain color.
Edit: Check out this photo of the edge of a photo sensor. You can clearly see the grid structure of the individual pixels and the color filters.

The sentence just means that the more light hits a photosite, the more electrons are produced. The charge of the photosite, which is nothing but a fancy word for "a bunch of electrons", is then read out and more measured charge implies that the photosite received more light. As we cannot measure the light directly, we use the number of electrons measured in each photosite instead as it corresponds to the amount of light received.


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Position Sensor Market - Estimated to Grow at a CAGR of 6.1% to Reach USD 5.85 Billion by 2022

 The position sensor market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2016 and 2022 to reach USD 5.85 billion by 2022. The position sensor market is driven by factors such as the growing innovation in the automotive technology has widened the use of position sensors in a vehicle, high demand for position sensor from the aerospace industry, and growing trends of industrial automation.
The market for rotary position sensors is estimated to contribute the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Rotary position sensors measure the rotational or angular movement of an object. These sensors are widely used in applications wherein the variable output such as frequency, speed, or volume need to be controlled.

Some of the typical applications include robotics, test & measurement equipment, machine tools as well as small engines. The growth in these applications is attributing to the high growth rate of the market. The position sensor is also estimated to witness a high growth in the automotive, packaging, manufacturing, and aerospace industries during the forecast period.

Europe held the largest size of the European position sensor market, in terms of value, compared to other regions. This is due to the rapid adoption of linear and rotary in various applications such as machine tools, material handling, robotics, and others in major counties of this region.

Key Topics Covered:
1 Introduction
2 Research Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Premium Insights - Position Sensor Market
5 Market Overview
6 Industry Trends
7 Market Analysis, By Type
8 Market Analysis, By Specification
9 Market Analysis, By Application
10 Market Analysis, By Industry
11 Market Analysis, By Region
12 Competitive Landscape
13 Company Profiles

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Precision UV Sensor is composed of zinc oxide

ZnO ultraviolet UV sensor makes it possible to detect UV rays based on frequency band, allowing user to obtain detailed information and take appropriate countermeasures against UV rays.

No optical filter is required, and thin film made of zinc oxide (ZnO) material becomes transparent under visible light and opaque under UV rays. Control of absorption wavelength range based on specific material composition makes it possible to perform sensing at UV-A/-B ranges.

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iPhone 6 could match the Galaxy S5 with barometer and humidity sensors

The iPhone 6 is already expected to monitor everything from your heart rate to calorie consumption, but it could also keep a close eye on its environment too.

The latest rumour is sparked off by ESM-China's chief analyst Sun Chang Xu, who believes that Apple will include pressure, temperature and humidity sensors in the iPhone 6.
Xu stresses that the pressure sensor will measure atmospheric pressure as opposed to your blood pressure, which is instead a skill that's expected to be a part of the iWatch's sensory arsenal.

As with the various sensors utilised by iOS 8's upcoming Healthbook app, the rumoured environmental sensors are expected to be managed by the iPhone 6's M7 motion co-processor, or whatever its equivalent will be called.

That'll leave the iPhone 6's main brain (expected to be an A7x processor free to run apps and games, while ensuring that iOS churns along nice and smoothly.

Samsung has included pressure, barometer and humidity sensors in both the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5, and fanboys will undoubtedly scream cries of catchup if the rumours prove to be true. But is there any actual point to these types of environmental sensors?

The average person won't care about the pressure or even the humidity in their day to day lives. Weather apps already provide us with the most important stuff - namely, the temperature and chances of sun/precipitation), and they even provide extra pressure and humidity information for those that care.

There is however one overlooked bonus - GPS accuracy. When a GPS reading is combined with barometer data, devices can more accurately pinpoint your position, orientation and velocity.

That's because the barometer gives your device an estimate of your altitude, cutting down the number of calculations  required to get a GPS lock.

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Semiconductor Gas Sensor for Air Quality Ammonia ,Sulfide ,Benzene ,Smoke

 Product Description
• Target Gas: ammonia, sulfide, benzene series steam
• Detection Range: 10～1000ppm( ammonia gas, toluene, Hydrogen, smoke)
• Voltage Output in Target Gas: 2.0V～4.0V（in 400ppm H2）
Principle Introduction:

Sensitive material of MQ135 gas sensor is SnO2, which with lower conductivity in clean air. When target pollution gas exists, the sensor’s conductivity gets higher along with the gas concentration rising. Users can convert the change of conductivity to correspond output signal of gas concentration through a simple circuit.

MQ135 gas sensor has high sensitivity to ammonia gas, sulfide, benzene series steam, also can monitor smoke and other toxic gases well. It can detect kinds of toxic gases and is a kind of low-cost sensor for kinds of applications.

Applications :
It is widely used in domestic gas alarm, industrial gas alarm and portable gas detector.

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Hyundai Genesis to get anti-drowsiness CO2 sensor plus hand-and-foot-free Smart Trunk

We're still recovering from the jetlag incurred on a trip to South Korea last week, where a cordial group at Hyundai showed us, among other things, the nearly completed 2015 Hyundai Genesis. There is still a bit of time stretching between now and when we're allowed to bring you our First Drive of the second-generation Genesis prototype, but we have been cleared to break off news of two heretofore unheard of features that will debut on the premium sedan.

The first, and arguably most interesting of the two, is a carbon dioxide sensor inside the cabin of the Genesis. The goal of the CO2 sensor is to measure CO2 outputted by the cars' human occupants (not the CO2 coming out of the tailpipe, which shouldn't make it into the cabin), as Hyundai tells us that high levels of the stuff help to increase occurrences of drowsiness while driving.

Conceived of by a Hyundai engineer who struggled with staying alert during his long commute home from Namyang, the system detects when in-cabin CO2 levels rise above 2,500 parts per million, then vents the compartment via the HVAC system when that threshold is reached. The CO2 venting system may be turned off, should a driver not want the cabin filled with fresh air – we're guessing this might be a good thing on really cold days.

Hyundai will also be offering a hands-free Smart Trunk in the 2015 Genesis. Unlike similar systems that require some kind of motion from the key-holder to be activated ¬– Ford's foot-activated, hands-free liftgate was referenced by Hyundai ¬– the Genesis will require that the user only have the key fob in their pocket, and stand next to the truck for three seconds. In a demonstration we saw the system work perfectly; our tester approached the trunk with key in pocket, the Genesis beeped three times to indicate he had been recognized and then popped open. Surely grocery store runs will never be so languorous ever again.

As we said, you can expect our full review of the box-fresh, second-generation Hyundai Genesis just as soon as the embargo lifts.

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Gas sensors sound the smoldering fire alarm

Smoke detectors are everywhere, but still thousands of people die in fires annually. Fire gas detectors, which detect carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, identify fires at an early stage. Thanks to a new measurement principle developed by Fraunhofer researchers, these costly sensors will soon be inexpensive and ready for the mass market.

As the stars twinkle in the sky high above the house, people lie sleeping in their beds. It's just an ordinary night -- and yet, on this night, the slumberers' lives are at stake: A cable is smoldering away and poisonous carbon monoxide spreads unnoticed through the room. The smoke detector doesn't sound the alarm because it responds only to smoke, which is not always produced in a smoldering fire. In short, the room's occupants are in great danger.

Reliably detects carbon monoxide
Gas sensors could wake people in time and save their lives. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM in Freiburg have developed just such a sensor. It recognizes a fire not by its smoke but by the carbon monoxide it emits. Nitrogen dioxide, which is produced a little later in the course of the fire, also triggers the alarm. Even the tiniest amounts of these gases suffice. "The sensors are extremely sensitive, so they respond very early in the fire's development. After all, every second counts," explains Dr. Carolin Pannek, a researcher at the IPM.
Life-saving carbon-monoxide sensors of this kind are already available today, but they are too expensive for the mass market. Furthermore, they require maintenance and use a lot of electricity. Commercially available semiconductor gas sensors are cheaper, but can't distinguish between different gases. That's not the case with the new sensor type created by the IPM researchers. "Ours responds only to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide -- it ignores other gases. By using roll-to-roll processing, we can produce the sensors very inexpensively, making it affordable for consumers," confirms Pannek.

This is primarily thanks to the dyes at the core of the sensor. Just as a lock opens only with a specific key, each dye responds only to a specific gas. Thus the sensor contains one dye for carbon monoxide and another for nitrogen dioxide. It works by having a small LED shine blue light into a waveguide coated with a polymer into which the dyes have been mixed. The light travels in a zigzag path to the other end of the waveguide, where it meets up with a detector. If the air in the room is normal, the coating glows purple -- which means it absorbs only a small amount of blue light and lets most of the blue light reach the detector. If however there is carbon monoxide in the air, the dye glows yellow. The yellow dye absorbs more blue light -- so the overall amount of light reaching the detector is lower. Below a given threshold value this trips the alarm. To detect nitrogen oxide, the researchers include a second waveguide coated with another dye.

Costs slightly more than a smoke detector
The researchers were careful to ensure that the sensor could be manufactured cost-effectively in bulk -- after all, no one wants to dig much deeper in their pocket than they would for a conventional smoke detector, even though gas sensors offer significantly more protection. "When mass produced, the sensors will cost about the same as smoke detectors -- and significantly less than the fire gas detectors currently available," Panneck believes.

To make their fire gas sensors, the researchers use the same components found in smoke detectors and supplement them with the optical waveguides. The electronics determine the threshold at which the sensor should sound the alarm. To manufacture these components, the researchers have worked together with an industry partner to develop a roll-to-roll process similar to newspaper printing that is capable of printing 15,000 measurement systems on a continuous roll. The process is both suitable for mass production and cost effective. But it will certainly take a few years for the gas sensors to become as ubiquitous in living and bedrooms as smoke detectors are now.


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BluCub Humidity Sensor Sends Humidity Data To Your iPhone 5S

We all like to know, well, everything about our environment. How warm it is, how humid it is, what it’s like outside, and so on. BluCub is designed to give you all of that, and in a tiny little package.

Know When It’s Saturated

The idea is fairly simple: BluCub packs a thermometer and a hygrometer (humidity sensor, for you non-scientists) into a black box roughly half the size of your iPhone. The idea is that it can be stuck somewhere discreet and used to track data both right away and over time, and within a reasonable range, namely what Bluetooth 4.0 can provide. Then, when you’re in range, just fire up the iOS 7 app and get the information you need.

Data Data Everywhere

At first it may seem less than obvious as to why you’d want something like this glued to the wall or lying on the counter, but if you think about it, there are a lot of places it’s good to know temperature and humidity. If you’ve got wines you want to preserve, you can stick this in your wine rack and track how they’re doing. If you’ve got allergies, it’ll help you figure out the ideal humidity to keep your sinuses clear. And if you just want to show your obnoxious coworker that, yes, it’s a little warm in here, you’ve now got a handy thermometer you can both check.

A Question Of Temperature

Of course, not all of us will need environmental sensors we can check with our phones, but this is a useful set of tools crammed into a surprisingly tiny package. If you want one, though, you’ll need to act quickly; BluCub is currently the subject of an IndieGoGo campaign in Britain, and you’ll have to pay roughly $65 total to have one shipped to you.

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Gas Sensors Market Size to reach $2.89 Billion by 2022

Gas Sensors Market Size was valued at USD 1.9 Billion in 2014 and is forecast to reach USD 2.89 Billion by 2022, as per a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Proliferating demand for smart sensors along with increasing need in end-use industries such as automotive is anticipated to fuel demand over the forecast period.

CO₂ gas sensors market size accounted for over 25% of the overall share in 2014, and is expected to grow faster than the global average over the forecast period. This can be mainly attributed to rising need from the bulk food storage sector. NOx sensor industry is expected to be valued at over USD 250 Million by 2022.

Wireless sensors aid in detecting gas concentration and also broadcast a proportional signal. As these devices could be employed in hard-to-reach as well as remote areas, the demand for these systems is likely to remain consistent over the forthcoming years. Several other benefits include cost effectiveness coupled with easy installation. In addition, they have the facility to generate a network of sensors and could be incorporated into convenient electronic devices, namely tablets and smartphones. It enhances the overall performance in harsh peripheral environment.

Key report insights suggest:

• Global demand in industrial sector contributed to over 19% of the overall revenue generation in 2014. Government regulations pertaining to ensure healthy and safety environment of employees is likely to fuel the demand growth over the forecast period. Need to monitor cabin air quality as well as the presence of vehicle emission control regulations are expected to be favorable for automotive gas sensors market size.
• Electrochemical gas sensors market was valued at USD 350 Million in 2014; these products are mainly deployed to detect numerous gases and are also cost effective. Infrared technology supports measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as acetylene, benzene, butane, etc. along with other gases; however, it is not as cost-effective as its counterparts.
• Europe gas sensors market share accounted for over 27% of the overall revenue in 2014 and is expected to dominate the demand. Asia Pacific is likely to be the fastest growing region, primarily attributed due to technology innovation.
• Chief manufacturers include Alphasense, Membrapor, Dynament, Figaro Engineering, and City Technology among others. In addition to new product development, companies operating in the industry have adopted long-term agreements, as well as mergers and acquisitions as key growth strategies.

For this report, Global Market Insights has segmented the gas sensors market on the basis of technology, product, end-use and region:

Gas Sensors Technology Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 – 2022)

• Electrochemical
• Semiconductor
• Solid State
• PID
• Catalytic
• Infrared

Gas Sensors Product Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 – 2022)

• Oxygen
• Carbon Dioxide
• Carbon Monoxide
• NOx

Gas Sensors End-Use Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 – 2022)

• Medical
• Building Automation & Domestic Appliances
• Environmental
• Petrochemical
• Automotive
• Industrial

Gas Sensors Regional Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 – 2022)

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• MEA

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Asia Pacific Led the Pressure Sensors Market

Global pressure sensors market was valued at USD 6.53 billion in 2014, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2014 to 2020. Pressure sensors are typically used for measuring pressure of gas or liquids. These sensors usually act as a transducer and generate electrical signals as a function of the pressure imposed on them.

Pressure sensors are typically used for measuring pressure of gas or liquids. These sensors usually act as a transducer and generate electrical signals as a function of the pressure imposed on them. Pressure sensors are also indirectly used for measuring other variables such as gas/fluid flow, water level, speed and altitude. With technological advancements in several industry verticals such as automotive, healthcare, and oil and gas, the applications and functionalities of pressure sensors is evolving continuously. Modern day pressure sensors utilize digital technology for providing better sensing performance and efficiency.

The global pressure sensors market is expected to witness a substantial growth during the forecast period. This is due to its increasing demand across various application sectors such as automotive, industrial and medical sector. The increase in automobile production worldwide is stimulating the growth in demand for pressure sensors and associated components. In addition, government regulations around the world related to motor vehicle safety are also influencing the growth of this market. Automotive is the largest revenue generating application segment in this market. Consumer electronics segment is analyzed to be the fastest growing application segment in the pressure sensor market.

Adoption of new technologies such as MEMS and NEMS is also contributing to the growth in demand for pressure sensors globally. However, maturity of end user segment is acting as a restraining factor for the growth of pressure sensors market, especially in North America and Europe. The development of smart city infrastructures in the Middle East and Asia Pacific is also influencing the growth of overall pressure sensors market. Asia Pacific is analyzed to dominate the global pressure sensors market throughout the forecast period. The region's dominance is attributed to increasing production of motor vehicles in countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and India. Moreover, rapid level of industrialization in this region is also contributing to growth of pressure sensors market.

This market research study analyzes the pressure sensors market on a global level, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD billion) from 2014 to 2020. It recognizes the drivers and restraints affecting the industry and analyzes their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it identifies the significant opportunities for market growth in the coming years.

The market in the report is segmented on the basis of geography as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Rest of the World (RoW), and these have been estimated in terms of revenue (USD billion). In addition, the report segments the market based on the sensor technology, which include piezoresistive pressure sensors, electromagnetic pressure sensors, capacitive pressure sensors, resonant solid state pressure sensors, optical pressure sensors and others. It also segments the market on the basis of application as automotive, oil and gas, consumer electronics, medical, industrial and others. All these segments have also been estimated on the basis of geography in terms of revenue (USD billion).

For better understanding of the pressure sensors market, detailed analysis of supply chain was done. A detailed Porter's five forces analysis was done for better understanding of the intensity of the competition present in the market. Furthermore, the study comprises market attractiveness analysis, where the applications are benchmarked based on their market scope, growth rate and general attractiveness.

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Global Alcohol Tester Market 2016 Share, China Growth, Research and Development Trends in New Report

The 'Global and Chinese Alcohol Tester Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Alcohol Tester industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Alcohol Tester manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.

Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2011-2016 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Alcohol Tester industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.

The report then estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Alcohol Tester industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Alcohol Tester Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Alcohol Tester industry covering all important parameters.

Partial List of Tables and Figures

Figure Alcohol Tester Product Picture
Table Development of Alcohol Tester Manufacturing Technology
Figure Manufacturing Process of Alcohol Tester
Table Trends of Alcohol Tester Manufacturing Technology
Table 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Capacity List
Table 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Key Manufacturers Capacity Share List
Figure 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Manufacturers Capacity Share
Table 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Key Manufacturers Production List
Table 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Key Manufacturers Production Share List
Figure 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Manufacturers Production Share
Figure 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Capacity Production and Growth Rate
Table 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Key Manufacturers Production Value List
Figure 2011-2016 Global Alcohol Tester Production Value and Growth Rate

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UV sensor that measures ‘hidden’ origins of space weather

A physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has helped NASA scientists observe a “hidden” layer of the Sun where violent space weather can originate, by positioning a crucial UV sensor inside a space-borne instrument.

The Sun releases particles and electromagnetic fields into space and when these particles pass through the Sun’s “transition region,” 5,000 kilometres above the surface, they can gather considerable steam, resulting in violent episodes of “space weather”.

The space weather can damage Earth-orbiting satellites and disrupt electronic communications.

To avoid this, a team at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville constructed a rocket-borne instrument, known as the Solar Ultraviolet Magnetograph Investigation (SUMI), designed to take pictures of these magnetic fields from space.

The optics in SUMI break down the incoming UV light into a spectrum of individual wavelengths and fans them out, much as a prism fans out white light into a rainbow.

“The problem is that SUMI’s detectors are small, so they don’t capture a wide range of wavelengths,” said NIST physicist Joseph Reader.

The solution is to get a light source that can produce these same lines in the laboratory,” he said, and use them to properly adjust the instrument’s sensors.

That’s where NIST’s unique “sliding spark source comes into the picture.

It consists of a pair of graphite electrodes with a quartz surface in between. A spark from these electrodes glides along the quartz surface, controllably producing the desired wavelengths of UV light from ionized carbon. Inside a clean room in Huntsville, UV radiation from the spark source entered SUMI, enabling its sensors to be accurately positioned before deployment.

On July 30, 2010, SUMI was successfully launched from White Sands, N.M. It rocketed 320 km in space and observed sunspot 11092 for about 6 minutes before parachuting back to earth. The Huntsville team is analyzing the data it obtained.

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Compact New Fiber Optic Sensors Provide Application Flexibility

Carlo Gavazzi is pleased to announce a new line of Fiber Optic Sensors, including the FA1 Fiber Optic Amplifier, and the FUT and FUR Fiber Optic Cables.

The compact, intuitive, and flexible design of the FA1 Fiber Optic Amplifier is ideal for a wide variety of applications. An adjustable signal level, selectable response time, multiple timer functions, and UL508 Approval provide the application flexibility required in industries such as semiconductor and packaging. Two 4-digit LED displays simplify programming, and provide excellent feedback for monitoring application set-up, troubleshooting, and operation.

Along with the FA1 Amplifier, Carlo Gavazzi has announced an entirely new line of fiber optic cables, including the FUR Fiber Optic Cables for retroreflective applications, and the FUT Fiber Optic Cables for through beam applications. These cables are available in a variety of diameters, sleeve lengths, and connector options, simplifying installation in diverse applications. FUT and FUR cables are currently available in plastic, and glass fiber optic cables will be available in the near future. Main technical features include:

FA1 Amplifier
• Two 4-digit LED display for signal/threshold levels
• Adjustable sensitivity via intuitive 3-way switch
• Selectable response time
• Different timer functions
• 100mA NPN or PNP output
• Light on and dark on switching
• cUL approved and CE marked

FUR & FUT Fiber Optic Cables
• Reflective & through-beam types
• Inner diameter 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0mm
• Outer diameter 2.2 or 1.25mm
• Bending radius 10, 15, 25mm
• Over-molding protection
• Straight or angled sensing heads
• Different sleeve length options
• 2m standard length

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Microwave Sensor Applications in Industry

Microwave measuring methods can be applied to determine the properties of materials and hence it is possible to develop microwave sensorsfor processing industry. The first applications were in moisture measurement but lately many new sensor applications have appeared.

Microwave sensors especially suitable in forest industry (wood, paper), in chemical industry (plastics, chemicals), in food industry (tobacco, butter) etc. In developing sensors several problems must be solved. The dielectric properties of the material in question must be known. They can be measured or in some cases determined theoretically by applying mixing theories.

The sensor is often some kind of a resonator. Its structure must be such that the electric field penetrates the material as required, and allows free flow of material. Displacements occurring normally in the material flow or dirt in the sensor must not cause measuring errors. Several examples of lately developed sensors are given.

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Tiny methane sensor attached on a drone successfully spots methane leaks more accurately than modern instruments

Researchers have registered success in a field test in which a small methane sensor was attached to a small drone. Main aim was of the experiment was to test the ability of sensor to find out methane leaks more accurately than modern instruments, said NASA.

The methane gassensor has been developed as a part of project to improve safety in the energy pipeline industry. The sensor developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and University of California, Merced’s Mechatronics, Embedded System and Automation Lab allows detection of methane with a much greater level of sensitivity than the instruments available in the industry.

The field tests were carried out in central California at the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve. The test of NASA's Open Path Laser Spectrometer (OPLS) sensor is considered to be the latest effort in a methane testing and demonstration program carried out on different programs since 2014.

The experts said that the ability of the OPLS sensor to detect methane in parts per billion in terms of volume could help the pipeline industry to have better accuracy about small methane leaks. The tests were carried out in late February in which they have flown a small unmanned aerial system equipped with the OPLS sensor at different distances from methane-emitting gas sources.

The tests were carried out in a controlled setting to test the accuracy and robustness of the system. The sensor was tested on a Vertical Take-off and Landing small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). The advanced capabilities provided by sUASs could extend the use of methane-inspection systems for detecting and locating methane gas sources.

This year, more flight tests will be carried and they will feature a fixed-wing UAS that can fly longer and farther. The latest round of tests will push the team’s goal to develop sUASs to improve traditional inspection methods for natural-gas pipeline networks.

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Force Sensor Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2016-2026

Force sensors are also known as force transducers that converts an input mechanical force into an electrical output signal. It act as a force sensing resistor in an electric circuit. It has various benefits such as flexibility and ultra-thin sensor construction which leads to minimal interference in normal action of device and precise response. Depending upon the working and sensing method, variety of force sensors are available in the market.

Force Sensor Market: Drivers and Restraint
The global force sensor market is expected to witness substantial growth over the period of forecast. Technological advancement, low manufacturing cost, increasing product demand, rise in the demand of industrial robots, advancement of medical devices with force sensing technology, innovations and development in the manufacturing are the few factors encouraging the growth of global force sensor market.

On the other hand, factors which are restraining the global force sensor market are instability in the demand across various end-user industry and underdeveloped aftermarket sales channels.

Force Sensor Market: Segmentation
The global force sensor market can be segmented into type, application and region. On the basis of type, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, optical force sensor, piezoresistive force sensor, capacitive force sensor, magnetic force sensor, ultrasonic force sensor, strain gauges, and electrochemical force sensors

Sensors has become an essential part of any measurement and automation applications. Overall global sensor market is witnessing a trend of increasing sensor accuracy, reliability, response time, efficiency, communication capability and robustness encourages the demand for sensors across various applications.  On the basis of application, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, medical & pharmaceutical sector, automotive, printing & packaging, consumer electronics, industrial (robotic & manufacturing), and aerospace & defence. Key developments in the prominent industries such as medical & pharmaceuticals, robotics, aerospace & defence, manufacturing and others is expected to encourage the growth of global force sensor market by 2026. Force sensors are used in manufacturing tools, transportation equipment, microelectronic packaging, transportation equipment etc. Force sensors can also be used in wireless inventory management system to improve order scheduling which helps in avoiding inventory stock-out issue.

Force Sensor Market: Region wise outlook
On the basis of region, the global force sensor market can be seven regions which include – North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is dominating the global force sensor market due to high technological advancement and increasing adoption among various end-user applications. However, revenue contribution from Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

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