Low-cost Pressure Sensor Research Articles

The Newton’s Polynomials Interpolation Based-Error Correction Method for Low-Cost Dive Altitude Sensor in Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV)

Indonesia is the one of the countries with the largest of sea area. However, the water surveillance categorized as minimum. The human resource and the low level of infrastructure are the causal of the minimum level of water surveillance. The human involvement of water surveillance has many weaknesses, such as weak against the change of the nature condition, limitation in reaching location, weak against water turbidity levels and water pollution. The utilization of ROV (Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle) could be a solution in water surveillance problem. The development of ROV still not significant in Indonesia. The development costs are also a problem in development of ROV. Many researcher using USBL (Ultra Short Base Line) sensor to sense the depth of the ROV. However, the cost of this sensor is relatively expensive. The usage of low-cost pressure sensor could be a solution to replace the USBL sensor. The low-cost pressure sensor has a significant deviation. The implementation of Newton’s polynomials interpolation algorithm has been used to decreased the deviation level of the sensors. The result shows the algorithm has succeeded to decreased the deviation level of the pressure sensor significantly. The default sensor has significant MSE value of 42956.2. The Newton interpolation algorithm has been succeeded to reducing the MSE value to 17.82. The result of this research is expected to reduce the cost of the ROVs development especially for sensors cost.

High-Accuracy Position Control of a Rotary Pneumatic Actuator

Rotary pneumatic actuators provide several advantages over electromechanical actuators (e.g., higher power-to-weight ratio, lower cost, and inherent safety) but are generally inferior in terms of accuracy and robustness when closed-loop position controlled. This paper presents the modeling, controller design, and experimental verification of a high-accuracy position-controlled rotary pneumatic actuator. A novel inverse valve model enables the development of a fast and precise inner-loop pressure control law. The outer-loop position control law combines feedback with model-based feedforward terms, including an adaptive friction compensator. The robust stability of the inner and outer subsystems is analyzed. Experimental results are included for rotating an arm in the vertical plane. The hardware features low-cost ON / OFF solenoid valves and low-cost pressure sensors. For a multiple cycloidal reference trajectory covering a 90° range, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) averaged over five tests was 0.156°. Steady-state errors less than or equal to 0.0045° were achieved for these moves and for moves as small as 0.045°. Robustness to unknown payloads was achieved using an improved payload estimator. For example, for a payload 53% less than nominal, the RMSE with the estimator was 75% less than without it. The experimental results are superior to those reported in the prior literature.

Bionic Fish-Scale Surface Structures Fabricated via Air/Water Interface for Flexible and Ultrasensitive Pressure Sensors.

In recent years, wearable and flexible sensors have attracted considerable research interest and effort owing to their broad application prospects in wearable devices, robotics, health monitoring, and so on. High-sensitivity and low-cost pressure sensors are the primary requirement in practical application. Herein, a convenient and low-cost process to fabricate a bionic fish-scale structure poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film via air/water interfacial formation technique is presented. High-sensitivity flexible pressure sensors can be constructed by assembling conductive films of graphene nanosheets into a microstructured film. Thanks to the unique fish-scale structures of PDMS films, the prepared pressure sensor shows excellent performance with high sensitivity (-70.86% kPa-1). In addition, our pressure sensors can detect weak signals, such as wrist pulses, respiration, and voice vibrations. Moreover, the whole process of pressure sensor preparation is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and controllable. The results indicate that the prepared pressure sensor has a profitable and efficient advantage in future applications for monitoring human physiological signals and sensing subtle touch, which may broaden its potential applications in wearable devices.

Low cost self-made pressure distribution sensors for ergonomic chair: Are they suitable for posture monitoring?

Long sitting causes many health problems for people. Healthy sitting monitoring systems, like real-time pressure distribution measuring, is in high demand and many methods of posture recognition were developed. Such systems are usually expensive and hardly available for the regular user. The aim of study is to develop low cost but sensitive enough pressure sensors and posture monitoring system. New self-made pressure sensors have been developed and tested, and prototype of pressure distribution measuring system was designed. Sensors measured at average noise amplitude of a = 56 mV (1.12%), average variation in sequential measurements of the same sensor s = 17 mV (0.34%). Signal variability between sensors averaged at 100 mV (2.0%). Weight to signal dependency graph was measured and hysteresis calculated. Results suggested the use of total sixteen sensors for posture monitoring system with accuracy of < 1.5% after relaxation and repeatability of around 2%. Results demonstrate that hand-made sensor sensitivity and repeatability are acceptable for posture monitoring, and it is possible to build low cost pressure distribution measurement system with graphical visualization without expensive equipment or complicated software.

Low-Cost Pneumatic Sensor for Water Level Detection in Gauging Stations

Permanent stream gauge stations are a vital feature of river monitoring and water management worldwide, and their use is rapidly increasing. Water level sensors in gauging stations are subjected to a harsh physical environment and are generally the most troublesome component and may easily introduce corrosion, electrical interference and other potentially damaging influences to the other components. One technology currently available to address the shortcomings of traditional submersible sensors is pneumatic detection of stage. The primary advantage of this type of sensor is that it provides physical separation of electrical components from the water. They are also highly advantageous in systems with high silt or debris loads. The cost of pneumatic sensors has fallen in recent years and is comparable with submersible pressure sensors of similar range and resolution. The issue with pneumatic sensors is that there is a large gap in the literature addressing the development, use and accuracy of this sensor type. This paper presents a case study detailing the development and use of a low-cost pneumatic sensor and examines its suitability for use in streams and irrigation canals. The performance of the sensor is also evaluated against two types of traditional low-cost submersible pressure sensors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Development of an Inexpensive Sensor Network for Recognition of Sitting Posture

The aim of this work is the development of a network of wireless devices to determine, along with a time-stamp, postural changes of users that are to be used in personalized learning environments. For this purpose, we have designed a basic low-cost pressure sensor that can be built from components easily available. Several of these basic sensors (of sizes and shapes chosen specifically for the task) are integrated into a posture sensor cushion, which is electronically controlled by an Arduino microcontroller board. This accounts for experiments involving either a single cushion to be used by an individual end-user setting approach or classroom approaches where several of these cushions make up a sensor network via ZigBee wireless connections. The system thus formed is an excellent alternative to other more expensive commercial systems and provides a low-cost, easy-to-use, portable, scalable, autonomous, flexible solution with free hardware and software, which can be integrated with other sensing devices into a larger affect detection system, customizable to cope with postural changes at required time intervals and support single and collective oriented experimentation approaches.

Innovative pressure sensor platform and its integration with an end-user application.

This paper describes the fully integration of an innovative and low-cost pressure sensor sheet based on a bendable and printed electronics technology. All integration stages are covered, from most low-level functional system, like physical analog sensor data acquisition, followed by embedded data processing, to end user interactive visual application. Data acquisition embedded software and hardware was developed using a Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP). Finally, after first electronic prototype successful testing, a Taylor-made electronics was developed, reducing electronics volume to 3.5 cm × 6 cm × 2 cm with a maximum power consumption of 765 mW for both electronics and pressure sensor sheet.

Research of a Low Cost Pressure Sensor for SHU Dexterous Hand

This paper presents a low cost pressure sensor for SHU dexterous hand and outlines the pressure experiments performed. The sensor is based on the semiconductive material, and multi-layer structure. The operating principle of the sensor is explained. The experimental results demonstrate the sensor has linear properties and can provide available information.

Novel protein based pressure transducer

The need for intra-organ pressure measurement can only be facilitated by adapting existing pressure sensing technology to the specific tissues under test. The customization of these sensors has only increased cost and the need to explore new technologies has become increasingly more important. For this article, we explore the use of electrochemical pressure sensing to provide a low-cost pressure sensor to fill this need. Here we show that gelatin exhibits a change in impedance when pressurized if bubbles are first electrolyzed in the gel creating an aerogel. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and model fitting, it is shown that this effect occurs at the aerogel/hydrogel interface and the change in impedance is linearly related to the change in applied pressure. Micrographs were taken of the interface during pressurization and image analysis demonstrates that the change in surface area of the interface is also linearly related to the change in applied pressure.

Large Area and Low-Cost Pressure Sensors based on Flexible Printing Electronics for Applications in Neurorehabilitation Scenarios

Abstract A large and low-cost pressure sensors technology based on flexible printing electronics for applications in neurorehabilatition scenarios is presented. An interactive real-time visualization of the center of gravity has been carried out successfully: response time lower than 1 millisecond and several pressure scales are monitorized and assigned to a range from a chromatic scale. The sensor configuration is formed by a 16x16 array with a resolution of 2 centimeter square of tactile unit and a total area of 45x45 cm 2 . The system is ready for real field validation in medical environment and a first prototype-demonstrator will be introduced in the market as a new competitive product due to its functionality and low-cost in relation to the actual systems available for this kind of applications.

Strain Sensitivity and Transport Properties in Organic Field-Effect Transistors

We present the electromechanical characterization of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) fabricated with different organic semiconductors. Pentacene- and poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT)-based OFETs have been investigated as strain sensors, and a clear correlation between the structural and morphological properties of the active layer with the device sensitivity has been observed. The highly disordered structure of polymeric films, as P3HT, confirmed by morphological and structural investigations, gives rise to a dramatic reduction of the device response to mechanical stimuli. Nevertheless, an unambiguous, fast, and reproducible response has been obtained also for this material, which, being solution processible, represents a valuable solution for the fabrication of low-cost pressure sensors for a variety of innovative applications.

An Explore about Low-Price Pressure Sensor

In low-end equipment developing it is often have the requirement of use low-cost pressure sensors, but the maketing pressure sensors’s price is very higher than the SCM. For decrease the price of the equipment to suit the market we explored a low-cost pressure sensor disgn. It is based on the bourden tube pressure gauge, SCM control system, Gray code disc and photoelectronic reading technology. The design can suit the certain low-cost equipment.

A simple thermo-compression bonding setup for wire bonding interconnection in pressure sensor silicon chip packaging

In the process of piezo-resistive pressure sensor packaging, a simple thermo-compression bonding setup has been fabricated to achieve the wire bonding interconnection of a silicon chip with printed circuit board. An annealed gold wire is joined onto a pad surface with a needle-like chisel under a force of 0.5–1.5 N/point. The temperature of the substrate was maintained in the range of 150–200°C and the temperature of the chisel was fixed at around 150°C during wire bonding operation. The tensile strength of the wire bonding was measured with a bonding tester by the destructive-pulling experiment and was found to be at the average of 132 mN/mm2. The microstructure of the bonding point was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The interface of the thermo-compression boning was shown to possess an acceptable level of reliability for a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based device. The results showed that this setup can be easily operated for fabrication and is suitable for fabricating not only low-cost pressure sensors, but also other MEMS devices.

Estudo das propriedades mecânicas e elétricas de fibras de curauá modificada com polianilina

Fibras naturais têm sido empregadas em diversos compósitos, principalmente na indústria automobilística. Dentre as diversas fibras naturais, a fibra de curauá é atraente por apresentar elevada propriedade mecânica associada a baixos valores de densidade. Neste trabalho a fibra de curauá é modificada quimicamente pelo recobrimento de uma camada condutora de polianilina, PAni. O material obtido foi caracterizado pelas técnicas espectrometria de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), análise termogravimétrica (TG) e microscopia ótica. As técnicas de caracterização utilizadas demonstraram que a metodologia empregada foi eficiente para formar um recobrimento parcial, porém efetivo, uma vez que o recobrimento permitiu a formação de caminhos condutores ao longo de toda a fibra. As propriedades eletro-mecânicas das fibras também foram avaliadas e os compósitos apresentaram um grande potencial para a construção de sensores de pressão a baixos custos.

Microwave bonding of MWNTs and fabrication of a low-cost, high-performance polymer pressure sensor

This paper describes the fabrication of a simple, low-cost pressure sensor that can be readily mass produced. Microwave-induced heating is used to bond a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) network to a poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate that serves as a pressure diaphragm. The MWNT network can be patterned with a damascene process and used as the sensor material. The pressure diaphragm with the MWNT network can be bonded with any flexible substrate pre-drilled with a cavity that allows a deflection of the diaphragm. Design and fabrication considerations for the sensor are discussed and its performance is demonstrated and evaluated. The sensor is thermally stable and has a much higher sensitivity and gauge factor than polysilicon sensors. In addition to the simple fabrication process, the sensor can be widely applied and integrated into microfluidic systems or biochips where pressure information is required.

Low cost pressure sensors for impact detection in composite structures

A new technology of flexible pressure sensors is developed using conducting polymers as electroactive materials on plastic substrates. The sensor measures quantitative pressure and the use of an appropriate synthesis strategy in the electroactive material tuning an adequate electrical conductivity and film morphology allows working pressure ranges to be taylor-made designed. Using low cost materials, high surface sensors are easily fabricated. The present work describes the integration of this innovative, low cost and flexible technology on composite structures opening interesting potential opportunities for impact detection and measurements on these types of components.

Sleeve-Type Ultra Miniature Optical Fiber Pressure Sensor Fabricated by DRIE

A diaphragm-type optical fiber pressure sensor, which has a sleeve for fiber insertion, is proposed, and its fundamental characteristics are demonstrated. The sleeve structure is fabricated by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). The diaphragm with the sleeve is suitable for highly reliable and easy bonding between the sleeve and an optical fiber. The light intensity change by a Fabry-Perot interferometer according to pressure is increases by an improved DRIE method. The mesa attached to the diaphragm increased reflectance. The method of mass production for the developed diaphragm will be useful for realizing a low-cost pressure sensor.

Ultra Miniature Optical Fiber Pressure Sensor with a Sleeve for Catheter Insertion

A diaphragm-type optical fiber pressure sensor, which has a sleeve for fiber insertion, is proposed, and the fundamental characteristics of this sensor are demonstrated. The sleeve structure is fabricated by DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching). The diaphragm with a sleeve is suitable for highly reliable and easy bonding between the sleeve and the optical fiber. The light intensity change detection by the Fabry–Perot interferometer based on the pressure is increased by the improved DRIE method. The mass production method of the developed diaphragm will be useful for creating a low-cost pressure sensor. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(8): 36–42, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10044

A simple, efficient interface circuit for piezoresistive pressure sensors

Piezoresistive pressure sensors are currently available that could lead to a vast number of applications if they could be interfaced to microcontrollers using inexpensive circuits. Basic pressure sensors integrate four strain gages in a four-arm resistor-bridge configuration. Microcontrollers with embedded time counters can measure resistance by determining the time needed to charge or discharge a given capacitor. We have applied this method to interface two low-cost pressure sensors (SX15AD2 from SenSym and MPXV53GC7U from Motorola-Freescale) to a microcontroller PIC16F873 without using any active analogue component between the bridge and the microcontroller. The bridge is considered to be a resistive network with three input nodes and one output node rather than a resistor network with two terminals for excitation and two terminals for detection. The resistance between each of the three input nodes and the output node depends on the measurand. Using each input in turn to discharge a capacitor connected to the bridge output yields three different time intervals, and a difference of ratios between those time intervals is proportional to the applied pressure. The linearity is better than 0.9% for the SX15AD2 and 1.5% for the MPXV53GC7U. This performance suits many non-demanding low-cost applications.

Effects of pressure sensor dimensions on process window of membrane thickness

In some applications the purchase price of the pressure sensor can be prime consideration in the pressure sensor selection process. It is important to design a pressure sensor with a competitive price. The low-cost pressure sensor requires minimum dimensions of pressure sensor, while maintains allowed process window in fabrication. The cost of pressure sensor depends on pressure sensor size and process yield. In order to design low-cost pressure sensors, it is necessary to understand the process window. The membrane thickness of pressure sensor is a key parameter in fabrication. The process window of membrane thickness refers to the amount of variability that a process can tolerate while producing results that are acceptable. A smaller process window of membrane thickness has tighter acceptable variations of membrane thickness, and the suitable process window size is demanded in mass production. The effects of pressure sensor dimensions on the process window of the membrane thickness were studied in this paper. High-sensitivity pressure sensors have high resolution, small burst pressure, and small process window. The effect of the doping concentrations of resistors on the process window is also included. To decrease the temperature effect, the doping concentration of resistors was increased. The increasing doping concentration of the resistor will decrease the process window significantly.