UK – Page 29 – TechConnect Briefs

The Optimisation of a Resonant Gas Sensor by Using Nano-Tectured Surfaces

Docker P.T., Kinnell P.K., Ward M.C.L., University of Birmingham, UK

This paper describes the potential for optimising a resonant gas sensor by using nano-textured surfaces. Initial modelling proved that a device with a nano-textured active layer could have its surface area increased by an order [...]

Intelligent Sensors: Systems or Components?

White N., Southampton University, UK

This paper reviews the field of intelligent (smart) sensor technology and describes some of the trends that have emerged over the last two decades. The functionality of intelligent sensors is discussed, together with an assessment [...]

Higher Order Sigma-Delta Modulator Interfaces for MEMS Capacitive Sensors

Kraft M., Dong Y., Southampton University, UK

Using higher order sigma-delta modulator topologies, similar to the ones used for electronic A/D converters, and applying them to micromachined capacitive sensors is a promising approach to increase the performance of these sesnors. The paper [...]

A Simulation Tool for System Services in Ad-Hoc Wireless Sensor Networks

Mount S.N.I., Newman R.M., Gaura E.I., Coventry University, UK

Whilst the physical design and instrumentation of ad-hoc wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has recently received a lot of attention, it is often assumed that the system software for such devices will simply copy the design [...]

An Algorithmic Approach to the Optimal Extraction of Signals from Intelligent Sensors

Boltryk P.J., Harris C.J., White N.M., University of Southampton, UK

This paper describes current research into the development of an intelligent sensor architecture, where signal conditioning is performed onboard the sensor itself, in software. Our proposed architecture for an intelligent sensor uses data-based models of [...]

Active Damping Control in MEMS Using Parametric Pumping

Gallacher B.J., Burdess J.S., Harris A.J., Harish K.M., Newcastle University, UK

This paper reports on an excitation scheme that enables control of the damping of an electrostatically actuated MEMS sensor through combined external forcing and parametric excitation. System damping is of fundamental importance in vibratory MEMS [...]

Information Controlled Wireless Sensor Networks with Energy Aware Nodes

Merrett G., Al-Hashimi B.M., White N.M., Harris N.R., University of Southampton, UK

We propose an algorithm whereby each node in a WSN decides its network involvement independently of its neighbouring nodes, based on its own resources and the information contained in the message. The concept of our [...]

A Realistic Dream – a Top-Down Feasibility Study for MEMS Planetary Exploration

Newman R.M., Gaura E.I., Tabor J., Mount S., Coventry University, UK

A feasibility study of a 'dream application', detailing the technological requirements, and using them to produce the design of a sensor node in a top-down manner, in order to establish the feasibility of the scenario [...]

Speckled Computing

Arvind D.K., University of Edinburgh, UK

Speckled Computing is an adventurous research program, which offers radical new ideas for information technology in the future. This will be realized by minuted, autonomous semiconductor speckes – each speck will encapsulate capabilities for sensing, [...]

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering by 2D Photonic Crystals: Enhancement and Reproducibility

Netti M.C., Mahnkopf S., Lincoln J.R., Charlton M.D.B., Cox S.J., Ayliffe P., Zoorob M.E., Wilkinson J.S., Baumberg J.J., Perney N.M.B., Jaiswal S.L., Mesophotonics Ltd., UK

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a widely utilised technique to enhance the weak Raman spectrum of molecules, enabling detection and identification of ultralow concentrations of particular species. We show both experimentally and theoretically how [...]