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"IEEE Sensors Alert" is a new service 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 (June 2025)
Discriminating Between Indoor and Outdoor Environments During Daily Living Activities Using Local Magnetic Field Characteristics and Machine Learning Techniques
Author: Vincenzo Marcianò, Andrea Cereatti, Stefano Bertuletti, Tecla Bonci, Lisa Alcock, Eran Gazit, Neil Ireson, Antonio Bevilacqua, Claudia Mazzà, Fabio Ciravegna, Silvia Del Din, Jeffrey M. Hausdorff, Georgiana Ifrim, Brian Caulfield, Marco Caruso
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 1, January 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Marco Caruso (Author)
Wearable sensors are essential for context-aware applications. But can they distinguish between indoor and outdoor environments? This study presents a novel method for distinguishing indoor and outdoor environments by analyzing magnetometer data and deep learning models to improve traditional inertial-based methods. It offers more reliable and high classification accuracy. The approach opens new possibilities for enhanced navigation and supports environmental detection in wearable and mobile health monitoring systems.
A Microwave Sensor Based on Grounded Coplanar Waveguide for Solid Material Measurement
Author: Liu Guohua, Gong YuXiang, Jiang Shuren, Zhang Jiaqi, Zhang Rui
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 3, February 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Liu Guohua (Author)
Accurate measurement of permittivity is crucial for characterizing the electromagnetic properties of materials. This study presents a compact, high-sensitivity microwave sensor utilizing a grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) integrated with a parallel interdigital capacitor (P-IDC) and split-ring resonator (SRR). This design enhances electric field concentration and signal isolation, enabling precise permittivity detection. The optimized GCPW and interdigital capacitor (IDC) parameters show significant potential in advanced communication and electronic applications.
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections worldwide. This paper introduces an innovative gas-phase detection technology for UTI diagnostics that uses metal-oxide sensors and change-point detection (CPD) to efficiently identify bacterial growth through volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. The approach showed promising results for rapid, non-invasive UTI detection, enabling real-time monitoring, reducing diagnostic delays, minimizing unnecessary antibiotic intake, and providing cost-effective point-of-care diagnostics with minimal equipment.
Nanoelectromechanical resonators are some of the most sensitive devices to external perturbations that can be built. However, reading nanoscale vibrational motion with the help of electrical signals in the background of noise from a profusion of sources can be very challenging. The method in this paper utilizes the materials’ intrinsic piezoresistivity to transduce the mechanical vibrations to electrical signals, effectively leveraging a simple circuit configuration compared to existing methods.
High-Throughput Separation of Alexandrium Cells Based on Deterministic Lateral Displacement Arrays With Different Post Shapes
Author: Wang Junsheng, Ding Gege, Liu Jiayue, Wang Yanjuan, Wen Jie, Yan Yuxian, Zhao Jun
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Kamalesh Tripathy
Separating and purifying algae cells is crucial for studying algae and monitoring algal blooms in water bodies. This paper explores a novel algae separation technique, mainly for Alexandrium algae, a leading cause of red tide that affects the marine environment. It utilizes a deterministic lateral displacement (DLD)-based microfluidic chip with two different micropillar designs to separate microalgae cells, facilitating fast, high-throughput, and large-scale separation of Alexandrium cells vital for protecting marine ecosystems.
A 30-nΩ Accuracy Low Power Two-Step Ratiometric Shunt Resistance Measurement System Using a Switching Regulator- Based Current Generator for Shunt- Based Current Sensors
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Shogo Kawahara (Author)
Shunt-based current sensors have low offset and low gain error, and they are used for accurate estimation of the state-of-charge of the batteries in automotive applications. However, the gain error changes by ~1% due to the long-term drift of the shunt resistance (RS). This paper proposes a two-step ratiometric resistance measurement system that can measure a 25 µΩ RS with an accuracy of ≤ 30 nΩ (0.12%) to calibrate the drift.
Split Gate Bulk-Planar Junctionless FET-Based Biosensor for Label-Free Detection of Biomolecules
Author: Deepika Singh, Ganesh C. Patil, Bikash Dev Choudhury
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 18, September 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
The split-gate Bulk-planar junctionless field-effect transistors (SG-BPJLFET) biosensor offers cost-effective, high sensitivity, and precise detection of biomolecules through drain current changes. Its innovative design enhances selectivity and sensitivity by leveraging a split-gate structure and junctionless architecture, ensuring effective biomolecule interaction and charge modulation. The device exhibits fast response and high performance due to the reduced leakage current and scalable fabrication. It holds the potential for medical diagnostics and advanced biosensing.
Double-Beam Cantilever Probe for Crack Probability Analysis of Multilayer Substrates During Wafer Probing
Author: Tremmel Florian, Holmer Rainer, Kutter Christoph, Nagler Oliver
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Tremmel Florian (Author)
Semiconductor devices undergo mechanical stress during functionality checks in the wafer prober, which may cause hidden cracks. This paper introduces an innovative double-beam cantilever probe to evaluate these cracks in multilayer substrate during wafer probing. This sensor solution regulates the load limits of the chips and detects crack sounds faster in real-time, ensures safer and more reliable chip testing, and offers a promising solution for wafer probing processes in semiconductor manufacturing.
Subblescope: Novel Thin-Film Haptic Sensing Using a Single-Bubble Approach
Author: Debadutta Subudhi, Prasanna K. Routray, Manivannan Muniyandi
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 18, September 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Anupama
The Subblescope is a novel vision-based haptic sensor that uses a single air bubble embedded in a flexible elastomer to detect and measure forces. By capturing and analyzing the deformation of the bubble, the sensor can perform precise measurements of force and torque, enabling accurate tactile sensing. This simple yet effective design has potential applications in robotics, virtual reality, and human-computer interaction.
Acoustofluidic Particle Trapping in a Structured Microchannel Using Lateral Transducer Modes
Author: Fuchsluger Andreas, Andrianov Nikolai, Cselyuszka Norbert, De Pastina Annalisa, Ecker Rafael, Jakoby Bernhard, Mitteramskogler Tina, Voglhuber-Brunnmaier Thomas
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Fuchsluger Andreas (Author)
Acoustofluidics uses sound waves for contactless manipulation of particles and fluids within microfluidic systems, which is relevant for various medical applications. This study presents a novel lateral-mode acoustofluidic trapping device using a disc-shaped resonator to create a two-dimensional standing wave for efficient particle trapping. The device operates at lower frequencies and efficiently traps large sizes and volumes of particles, demonstrating high predictability, reproducibility, and stability, making it suitable for advanced particle manipulation.
Ultrahigh Sensitivity Surface Plasmon Resonance Magnetic Field Sensor Based on D-Shape Four-Hole Fiber
Author: Chen Zhenshi, Chen Cheng, Chu Paul K., Fu Haihao
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Payal Savani
Magnetic field sensors are essential in modern technology, with applications ranging from smart gadgets, biomedicine, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring to aerospace technology. This paper presents a highly sensitive sensor using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and a D-shaped four-hole fiber designed for accurate magnetic field detection. Integrating SPR with fiber optics enhances the devices' sensitivity and performance, advancing its potential applications in areas where detecting weak magnetic signals is crucial.
Antibody-Free SERS Detection of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Using Micron Bowl Array PDMS Substrates
Author: Hsu Wei-li, Wang Gou-jen, Lin Ying-Ting, Lin Ze-Cheng, Tseng Ching-Yu
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 4, February 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Hsu Wei-li (Author)
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a newly identified zoonotic infectious disease discovered in several East Asian countries. It is caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV), also known as Dabie bandavirus or Huaiyangshan virus. The paper presents a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chip with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) uniformly deposited on a micron bowl array polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate to detect the virus responsible for SFTS effectively.
Scorpion-Inspired, Hydrophobic, Highly Sensitive, and Paper-Based Magnetoelastic Biosensor for C-Reactive Protein Detection
Author: Sang Shengbo, Ge Yang, Guo Xing, Yuan Zhongyun, Zhao Dong, Luo Man
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 8, April 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
C-reactive protein (CRP) in human blood is a vital biomarker for detecting inflammation or acute infection. This study presents a hydrophobic, paper-based magnetoelastic biosensor inspired by scorpion anatomy and made using eco-friendly materials and V-shaped grooves to enhance sensitivity for detecting CRP. The sensor overcomes the limitations of traditional detection methods and offers rapid, cost-effective, and highly sensitive diagnostics for acute inflammation and tissue damage.
Improving the Spatial Resolution of Small Satellites by Implementing a Super-Resolution Algorithm Based on the Optical Imaging Sensor’s Rotation Approach
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 24, December 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Iman Kazemi (Author)
Image processing can improve the image quality of data transmitted by small satellites. This paper presents a novel method of enhancing small satellite image resolution using a super-resolution algorithm combined with a rotating sensor. The algorithm reconstructs a high-resolution image by boosting spatial resolution. This method increases image clarity by gathering more data in flight and vertical directions and efficiently processing images in approximately 0.713 seconds, making it suitable for microsatellite applications.
Rule the Joule: An Energy Management Design Guide for Self-Powered Sensors
Author: Monagle Daniel, Ponce Eric Andrew, Leeb Steven
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 24, Issue: 01, January 2024)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
Rule the Joule Energy Management System for self-powered sensors features dynamic control, cold-start capability, and robust maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to optimize energy harvesting and storage. Its real-time energy flow regulation reduces reliance on predictive models, enhancing efficiency in noisy environments. Experimental validation confirms its reliability for powering wireless sensor nodes, providing overvoltage protection and improved component longevity, paving the way for advancement in IoT, smart technologies, and wireless sensor networks.
Sensors have become a part of everyday life, seamlessly connecting the physical and electronic worlds. The paper focuses on the current-output sensing technique, providing information and analytical study of various sensors and design guidance of current readout circuits. Additionally, state-of-the-art current-sensing frontends are analyzed concerning gain, bandwidth, stability, and noise. The paper presents insights into general design architectures and their performance tradeoffs.
Accidental falls across age groups and occupations could affect the quality of life. This work presents an innovative deep-learning approach specifically designed for edge devices for fall detection. The wearable sensor combines a three-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, and pressure sensor. It operates in real-time, recognizing the actions performed and categorizing them as everyday activities or falls. The power-efficient, low-cost, simple model with 99.38% accuracy and 25ms inference time is practical for real-world applications.
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