The device incorporates magnets, along with polymers that create a triboelectric effect when rubbed together
(Credit: Hassan Askari)
A self-powered sensor developed at the University of Waterloo could allow doctors to remotely monitor the recovery of surgical patients.
The small, tube-like device is designed to be fitted to braces after joint surgery to wirelessly send information to computers, smartphones or smartwatches to track range of motion and other indicators of improvement.
“That data would be continuously collected, so it would be as though the physician or physiotherapist was always there, always observing the patient,” said Hassan Askari, an engineering doctoral candidate at Waterloo.
The same sensor could also be used in a variety of other ways, including in the tires of autonomous vehicles to detect and respond to icy roads.
A prototype built and tested by the researchers combines electromagnetism and triboelectricity, a relatively new energy harvesting technique that involves bringing different materials together to produce current.
When bent or twisted, the device generates enough electricity for sensing and powering electronic circuits for processing and wireless signal transmission.
“The aim was to develop a sensor that works without having a battery attached to it,” said Askari. “It is its own power source.”
That makes the device well-suited for applications that put a premium on reliability and where it would be difficult or expensive to replace worn-out batteries.
Askari estimated the sensors – about six centimetres long and one centimetre wide – could be commercially manufactured for $5 to $10 each.
Research is now focused on making them smaller and more sensitive using triboelectricity alone. Software is also being developed to process signals for the tire application.
When attached to the inside of tires, they could sense changing road conditions and instantly send information to control systems to enable self-driving vehicles to make adjustments.
“Based on the forces, the interaction between the road and the tires, we could actually detect ice or rain,” said Askari. “That is extremely important information for autonomous driving.”
Learn more: New sensor could help doctors monitor patient progress from a distance
The Latest on: Self-powered sensor
via Google News
The Latest on: Self-powered sensor
- Shop the best Samsung appliance deals for your home at Best Buy and Lowe'son May 4, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Bring some extra cleaning power to your dishes with various Samsung dishwashers ... Get the Samsung 7.4-Cubic Foot Electric Dryer with Sensor Dry at Samsung for $699 (Save $200) Get the Samsung ...
- The Era of ‘Optical Computers’ Operated by Light Is Fast Approachingon May 4, 2022 at 5:10 am
The demand is explosively increasing for computers that can quickly calculate and process large amounts of information recently, as artificial intelligence, self-driving cars ... for ultra-small and ...
- Scientists Facilitate the Possibility of Optical Computers Driven by Lighton May 3, 2022 at 7:22 am
Artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles ... operations in response to optical input are expected to be used for ultra-small and low-power universal optical sensor platforms in the future. Dr.
- Researchers develop ultra-high-speed, high-efficiency OELGs by using organic-inorganic perovskite photodiodeson May 2, 2022 at 6:53 am
Demand is increasing for computers that can quickly calculate and process large amounts of information, as artificial intelligence, self-driving cars ... to be used for ultra-small and low-power ...
- Give the Gift of Self Expression this Eid with OPPO's Reno7 Pro 5Gon April 28, 2022 at 4:21 am
This Eid, Global technology brand, OPPO wants to give those in your life the ultimate gift on their journey of self-expression and being their most authentic self with the Reno7 Pro 5G.
- Vacuum Dust Collection With Self-Powered Relayson April 27, 2022 at 5:00 pm
As with other DIY systems we’ve seen over the years, [Will] is using a simple inductive current sensor to detect when AC power is being drawn by one of his tools. But where the similarity stops ...
- New research harnesses the power of movementon April 25, 2022 at 10:16 am
Harvesting energy from the day-to-day movements of the human body and turning it into useful electrical energy, is the focus of a new piece of research involving a Northumbria University Professor.
- Ixthus Announce New Ultrasonic Sensors From Migatron Corp.on April 25, 2022 at 9:40 am
Migatron Corp has announced two new sensor models aimed at proximity detection and displacement measurement tasks.
- Why centralized sensor fusion is right choice for future AVson April 25, 2022 at 1:00 am
Not all sensor fusion is alike. Here are the differences between high-level and centralized sensor fusion — and why centralized fusion will prove indispensable.
- Energy Harvesting Starting To Gain Tractionon April 18, 2022 at 12:08 am
Fig. 1: Energy sources include light, electromagnetic, thermal, kinetic, and more. Source: Energy Harvesting Technologies for Achieving Self-Powered Wireless Sensor Networks in Machine Condition ...
via Bing News
