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"IEEE Sensors Alert" is a pilot project of the IEEE Sensors Council. Started as one of its new initiatives, this weekly digest publishes teasers and condensed versions of our journal papers in layperson's language.
Articles Posted in the Month (August 2025)
Tradeoff Between the Number of Transmitted Molecules and the BER Performance in Molecular Communication Between Bionanosensors
Author: Eckford Andrew, Jing Dongliang, Li Linjuan, Lin Lin
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 1, January 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Anupama
Molecular communication (MC) uses bionanosensors to transmit data using molecules. Due to limited transmitter resources, optimizing communication efficiency is critical. This study analyzes the relationship between the number of transmitted molecules and the bit error rate (BER). It introduces a balance function and uses a Gradient Descent Algorithm to find an optimal tradeoff. Results highlight a tunable framework for balancing communication reliability and molecular resource usage, benefiting applications in defense, healthcare, entertainment, and biosensing.
Monitoring the concentration of proteins in interstitial fluid is vital for assessing various diseases, including albuminuria and edema. This paper proposed an electrical spectroscopy-based system enhanced with admittance relaxation time distribution (aRTD) for protein concentration quantification. Results indicate that aRTD shows a positive correlation with total protein concentration at high relaxation times and can distinguish between albumin and γ-globulin concentration fluctuation at lower relaxation times.
Real-Time Vehicle Classification and License Plate Recognition via Deformable Convolution-Based Yolo v8 Network
Author: R Srinivasan, A Arivarasi, D Rajeswari, Govindasamy Alagiri
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 23, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
An exponential increase in vehicles has made traffic management challenging. The proposed novel DEN-YOLO uses a YOLOv8 model with a deformable convolution network for better adaptation to varying object shapes. It uses low-light enhancement, defogging, and super-resolution to improve image clarity even in challenging conditions. It provides fast and reliable vehicle and license plate detection for traffic management, toll collection, and surveillance, making it ideal for real-world applications.
Design and Fabrication of Highly Performance EGFET and Application in Thrombin Detection
Author: Wang Yiqing, Ding Song, Jiang Jidong, Liu Tao, Wang Ting, Zhang Minghui, Zhang Wei, Zhu Xinglong
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 3, February 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Yiqing Wang (Author)
Extended-gate field-effect transistors (EGFETs) are highly effective in ion detection, particularly pH sensing. Their unique design simplifies fabrication and maintenance. This study introduces a 3D simulation-optimized EGFET designed for pH sensing and detecting highly sensitive thrombin, a crucial biomarker in blood coagulation. The device demonstrated exceptional pH sensitivity, long-term stability, and quick and specific thrombin recognition. The results highlight the potential applications in biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and point-of-care testing.
Flexible Conductive Polymer Reinforced Polyurethane Foam for Real-Time Human Body Electrical Signal Sensing and ECG Peaks
Author: Subramanian Jeyanthi, M Suchetha, Rajeev Krishna, Vijayan Akash
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 3, February 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
Polymer composites made from conductive and flexible material are transforming wearable health devices. This study introduces a soft, flexible foam made from polyurethane and reinforced with conductive polymers, designed to detect the human body’s electrical signals like electrocardiogram (ECG). This sensor captures real-time data without requiring the traditional gel electrodes. The eco-friendly device provides stable monitoring and enhances accuracy and comfort, making it ideal for wearable medical technologies and biosensing applications.
Monitoring the properties of aqueous solutions is essential across various industries like agriculture and oceanics. This paper introduces a novel, low-cost, interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to assess the properties of aqueous solutions. This sensor effectively detects subtle differences in concentration and provides reliable pH measurements with high sensitivity, showing its potential for applications in different areas, like the food industry and environmental and biological studies.
Author: Joseph Jose, A. V. Akshaya, ANANTHASURESH G. K., Bosco Michael John, Nair Nikila
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 1, January 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Anupama
Traditional glass pH sensors often degrade in harsh environments and become ineffective under extreme pH conditions. This study introduces an innovative all-solid-electrode pH sensor featuring an antimony sensing electrode and an Ag/AgCl solid reference electrode. The sensor demonstrated stability, repeatability and linear performance in controlled and real-world applications. It offers a robust, durable, low-maintenance solution for continuous inline pH monitoring in various fields, including food processing, water treatment, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
Flexible Electrospun Nanofibers for Tactile Sensing and Integrated System Research
Author: Chen Rongsheng, Ma Zhiling, Huang Wei, Yang Mei
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 1, January 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Rongsheng Chen (Author)
The demand for flexible sensors has grown with the advancement in wearable technology and smart systems. This paper discusses the development of a flexible piezoelectric sensor using electrospun nanofibers with a controlled structure and alignment, which improves the sensor's performance. It highlights the advantages and exceptional piezoelectric properties, flexibility, and sensitivity of materials like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers. Its applications include wearable electronics, human-computer interaction, electronic skins, and soft robotics.
Highly Sensitive Flexible Sensor Over a Wide Linear-Range Based on Carbon Nanotube Toward Physiological Monitoring
Author: Pan Gebo, Gao Xin, Lv Peiyu, Qin Xu, Xu Wenqing, Yang Limei
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 3, February 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
Capacitive pressure sensing is crucial in real-time physiological monitoring and human-robot interaction. This study presents a novel sensor developed using a composite dielectric layer of polyvinylidene fluoride, thermoplastic polyurethane, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Its exceptional sensitivity and wide range effectively detect substantial and subtle human motion, including swallowing and muscle and joint movement. Flexibility, mechanical stability, and responsiveness make it suitable for next-generation wearable health monitoring and healthcare applications.
Microwave Glucose Sensing Using Double Circular Split Ring Resonators for Improved Sensitivity: The Role of Artificial Blood Plasma and Deionized Water
Author: Borges Ben-hur, Alarcon Julio Cesar, Pepino Vinicius Marrara, Santos Natalia M., Souza Mateus Isaac de Oliveira, Varanda Laudemir C.
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 3, February 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Borges Ben-hur (Author)
Accurate and affordable glucose monitoring is vital for managing diabetes, affecting millions worldwide. This research presents a compact, passive 2.48 GHz microwave sensor for enhanced glucose monitoring. The sensor's accuracy is significantly boosted by replacing deionized water with artificial blood plasma, achieving a 0-400 mg/dL range with 25 mg/dL resolution. Low cost and license-free operation make this novel sensor promising for comfortable, accurate, and accessible next-generation wearable health devices.
Knee injuries and other minor or chronic knee conditions are prevalent. Monitoring rehabilitation or medication progress in knee treatment is time-consuming, expensive, and requires regular imaging, follow-ups, and several tests. However, knee health can be monitored and “joint health score” calculated remotely with wearable sensors that pick up sound, swelling, temperature and motion. Packaging these sensors into a wearable brace is vital for monitoring the knee.
Vital signs, such as heart rate (HR) and respiratory rates (RR), are crucial for patients' health assessment. Technological advancements have led to non-contact monitoring using cameras and radars. This paper introduces a camera-guided frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system for real-time non-contact vital sign monitoring. The novel singular value-based point detection (SVPD) method is designed to optimize respiratory and heart rate monitoring. Experiments show high accuracy and effective vital signs monitoring.
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