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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 (March 2026)
Porous Moisture Sensor Based on NIPS Method: Tradeoff Between Microporous Structure and Chemical Groups to Achieve Low Humidity Hysteresis
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 24, December 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Wu Zhicheng (Author)
Moisture sensors have a wide range of applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, food processing, healthcare, and scientific research. This study fabricates porous polyimide (PI) moisture sensors using the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method. By balancing the micropore size and imidization degree of porous PI films, it achieves fast response (9 s) and low humidity hysteresis (2.8% RH) in moisture sensing, providing a novel strategy for developing next-generation high-performance moisture sensors.
Temperature and Strain Sensing Characteristics of a 128° YX-Cut LiNbO3 Rayleigh-Mode SAW Sensor From Room to Cryogenic Temperatures
Author: Li Fang, E Fernando Camino, Kohler Michael, Luo Jiaxing, Voiculescu Ioana R.
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 24, December 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Fang Li (Author)
Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors offer a unique way to monitor extreme cryogenic environments without batteries or wiring. This study explores a lithium-niobate SAW device that accurately detects temperature and mechanical strain from room temperature down to cryogenic levels. It also analyzes how acoustic waves behave under various conditions, emphasizing the sensor's reliability and sensitivity, and advancing its applications in aerospace, cryogenic engineering, biomedicine, and next-generation wireless sensing technologies.
A Molecular Imprinted Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor for Reliable Detection of Alpha-Terpineol in Various Pine Essential Oils
Author: Banerjee Roy Runu, Bhattacharyya Banerjee Mahuya, Gangopadhyay Deepam, Kundu Sumit, NAG SHREYA, Pramanik Panchanan
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 15, August 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Runu Banerjee Roy (Author)
Alpha-terpineol (A-Te), a naturally occurring compound found in essential oils, has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This paper introduces a novel molecularly imprinted Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensor for detecting A-Te in pine essential oils. This portable, robust molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based QCM sensor combines high sensitivity, selectivity, and machine learning technology for qualitative determination of A-Te. The targeted detection method enables rapid authentication and quality assurance of aromatic oils.
Detection of CWA Simulants by Electronic Nose Based on Low-Powered MEMS Gas Sensor Array
Author: Cheng Zhenxing, Sun Xuhui, Hu Xiaochun, Shen Qingqing, Tao Yi, Xu Mengxue, Zhang Hongpeng, Zhang Pingping, Zhang Shumin, Zhong Yihong
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 15, August 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Saurabh Dubey
Early detection of toxic chemical warfare agents (CWAs) requires reliable portable systems capable of real-time sensing. This study presents a novel MEMS-based electronic nose that integrates a 24-sensor metal-oxide array to identify CWA simulants via unique response fingerprints. Its low-power microhot-plate sensors deliver a quick response time, and machine learning achieves 99% accuracy across different environments, ensuring robust, sensitive, and highly selective CWA monitoring for defense and public safety applications.
Remote Vital Sign Monitoring With IMU-Assisted Handheld IR-UWB Radar Sensor
Author: Cho Sung Ho, Abdullah Sohaib, Ahmed Shahzad, Yoon Seongkwon
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 16, August 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Sung Ho Cho (Author)
Radar-based human vital sign measurement has attracted significant attention owing to its noncontact, non-invasive, privacy-preserving nature. However, the potential of handheld radar devices remains to be explored. The novel approach presented here extracts heart rate (HR) and breathing rate (BR) using a handheld impulse-radio ultrawideband (IR-UWB) radar equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor. It will open the door to continuous health and wellness tracking and outdoor emergency assistance.
Certifying fruit ripeness at harvest is crucial for ensuring optimal quality, effective storage, and successful market distribution. This study presents a novel low-cost multispectral device that integrates a broadband light-emitting diode (LED) and visible and near-infrared (VIS–NIR) sensors to assess fruit ripeness in the field. It categorizes multiple ripeness classes using automatic feature selection and machine-learning algorithms, achieving high accuracy and providing an affordable, robust solution for smart harvesting.
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 15, August 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Shawana Tabassum (Author)
Imagine a "tattoo" for plants that helps them "talk" with agriculturist and researchers about their physiological processes. This paper presents a paper-thin, flexible sensor that sticks to a leaf like a temporary tattoo for real-time, continuous monitoring of ethylene, a key plant stress hormone. This breakthrough tattoo sensor will enable smarter crop management and early stress detection in plants before any visible damage occurs.
Silver Microneedle Array Printed via Aerosol Jet Enhance the Electrochemical Detection of Carboxylated Carbon Nanotubes for Chloramphenicol
Author: Cao Lei, Xiong Shixian, Fan Lanlan, Gu Feng, Liu Feng, Liu Shiji, Liu Yin, Liu Zhecheng, Zhu Qian
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 15, August 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Cao Lei (Author)
Excessive use of Chloramphenicol (CAP), a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic in livestock, is harming the environment and health. This paper introduces a carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-COOH)-decorated 3-D silver microneedle array, fabricated using aerosol jet printing (AJP) technology on a screen-printed carbon working electrode (SPCE). This approach enabled compact, minimally invasive, and sensitive detection of CAP, facilitating quicker, more accurate environmental monitoring, enhancing food safety, and supporting public health protection.
A Stretchable Tactile Sensor Array Based on Hydrogel Ionic Diodes
Author: Liu Xinyu, Wu Xia, Zhang Zefang
Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 25, Issue: 16, August 2025)
Summary Contributed by: Xinyu Liu (Author)
Human skin transmits the sensation of touch through precisely regulated ionic signals. Researchers developed a soft-gel tactile sensor array that integrates ionic diodes, applying this principle to robotic skin. These diodes control the movement of ions similar to biological synapses, converting gentle pressure into ionic responses. The innovation brings artificial skin closer to mimicking the functions of real skin, showing potential for advanced iontronic applications in robotics and prosthetics.
The fragility of smart wearables has driven demand for flexible, stretchable sensors. This study presents a self-healing, recyclable strain sensor made from a Diels–Alder polymer and liquid metal, which can fully restore its functionality even when cut in half. This durable, repairable, and eco-friendly stretchable device, with excellent sensing performance, is well-suited for smart wearables and paves the way for sustainable soft electronics in health monitoring and robotics.
The recent COVID outbreaks highlighted the need for breathing rate monitoring and increased the demand for hospitalized patients. Monitoring breathing rate is vital for diagnosing diseases and observing patients with pulmonary conditions. The pros and cons of different techniques are studied and categorized under contact and remote modes of respiratory monitoring systems. Various Radar-based methods found to be more suitable for respiration monitoring are discussed.
Radar detection of smaller targets requires lowering the radar cross-section and velocity thresholds. With it, an abundance of target signatures gets generated, making it necessary to classify only relevant targets. Micro-motions of targets are significant characteristics. Micro-Doppler signatures have emerged as an effective method of classifying such targets. The study presents a systematic review of various micro-Doppler-based radar target signature analysis and classification techniques.
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