Sensor Development (United States)

ABSTRACT Eddy current sensor (EC sensor) is a non‐destructive and non‐contact method to measure the thickness of metal coatings in real time. However, it is known that the distance between the EC sensor and the object to be measured (lift‐off) leads to thickness measurement errors in metal coating thickness measurement using the EC sensor. In this paper, we propose a simple method to measure the thickness of non‐magnetic metal thin films formed on ferromagnetic metal substrates using EC sensor in the sub‐micron order and to solve the lift‐off problem. Specifically, based on Dodd's theory, the measurement principle of the EC sensor is modeled theoretically, and the verification is conducted using an EC sensor designed based on the model and its driving circuit. According to the proposed method, the EC sensor shows high sensitivity in the range of Cu film thickness from 0.1 µm to 1.0 µm, which is about 400 to 500 times higher than the sensitivity due to lift‐off. This indicates that the effect of lift‐off can be minimized. A method for measuring the thickness of Cu films on the sub‐micron order at arbitrary lift‐off is also shown.

In ultrasonic flow metering, guided waves provide multiple advantages over conventional bulk waves: a longer path length increases transit time differences between upstream and downstream signals, reducing electronic noise requirements; a single acoustic path suffices for measurement, unlike multi-path bulk wave sensors; and they report consistent linearity, i.e. measurement error versus Reynolds number, in both in-line and clamp-on configurations. While bulk wave sensor linearity depends on the flow profile plane intersected by the acoustic beam, guided wave sensors are often designed using a simplistic analysis of dispersion curves, selecting wave modes for ease of time-windowing or faster propagation to minimize sampling windows. This approach fails to predict linearity, resulting in reported values ranging from 2% to 15%. This work demonstrates that the axial component of the excited guided wave mode shape governs sensor linearity. Using the mode shapes of four guided wave modes, linearity curves of commercial devices were predicted and validated through measurements in a flow loop with three different liquids, showing excellent agreement between predicted and measured linearity.

Continuous respiratory monitoring is essential for the early detection and management of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and sleep apnea. Traditional methods, including spirometry and polysomnography, remain the gold standard but present limitations such as high costs, invasiveness, and the requirement for trained personnel. This study proposes a multi-modal respiratory monitoring system integrating bioimpedance (BIOZ) and acoustic sensing for non-invasive, continuous, and real-time respiratory assessment. The system uses the SENSIPLUS microchip (developed by Sensichips s.r.l.) for bioimpedance measurements and a MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) microphone for capturing respiration sounds. The experimental validation was conducted by comparing these methods with a spirometer as the reference standard. Results demonstrated a strong correlation between the BIOZ and the acoustic-derived signals with spirometric data. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values with respect to a gold standard, for inspiration and expiration using bioimpedance were 0.174 s and 0.190 s, respectively, while the acoustic-based approach yielded RMSE values of 0.4136 s for inspiration and 0.2217 s for expiration. These findings highlight the feasibility of integrating bioimpedance and acoustic sensing for accurate and wearable respiratory monitoring, offering potential applications in telemedicine, personalized healthcare, remote patient monitoring, early disease detection, and smart healthcare solutions.

IntroductionCombating physical inactivity and reducing sitting time are one of the principal challenges proposed by public health systems. Gamification has been seen as an innovative, functional and motivating strategy to encourage patients to increase their physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary lifestyles through behaviour change techniques (BCT). However, the effectiveness of these interventions is not usually studied before their use. The main objective of this study will be to analyse the effectiveness of a gamified mobile application (iGAME) developed in the context of promoting PA and reducing sitting time with the BCT approach, as an intervention of secondary prevention in sedentary patients.Methods and analysisA randomised clinical trial will be conducted among sedentary patients with one of these conditions: non-specific low back pain, cancer survivors and mild depression. The experimental group will receive a 12-week intervention based on a gamified mobile health application using BCT to promote PA and reduce sedentarism. Participants in the control group will be educated about the benefits of PA. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire will be considered the primary outcome. International Sedentary Assessment Tool, EuroQoL-5D, MEDRISK Instruments and consumption of Health System resources will be evaluated as secondary outcomes. Specific questionnaires will be administered depending on the clinical population. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, at 6 weeks, at the end of the intervention (12 weeks), at 26 weeks and at 52 weeks.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Portal de Ética de la Investigación Biomédica de Andalucía Ethics Committee (RCT-iGAME 24092020). All participants will be informed about the purpose and content of the study and written informed consent will be completed. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated electronically and in print.Trial registration numberNCT04019119

Pengendali suhu air sangat dibutuhkan dibeberapa industri dan gedung komersil. Pemanas air elektrik umumnya hanya dapat memamanaskan air dan tanpa adanya kendali suhu, salah satunya adalah peralatan komersil dispenser air minum. Penelitian ini penulis mengusulkan pengaturan suhu air panas pada dispenser yang dapat diatur dengan pengendalian Propotional-Integral (PI) dengan metode tunning Ziegler-Nichols I, Chien Servo I, dan Chien Regulator I dengan dua nilai setpoint yaitu pada suhu 80°C atau di suhu 90°C. Sensor yang digunakan adalah RTD PT100 sebagai sensing suhu air panas pada tabung dispenser. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa suhu air panas dapat stabil di masing-masing setpoint tersebut dengan ketiga jenis penalaan kontrol PI. Metode Chien Regulator I memiliki rise time yang lebih cepat dan memiliki kestabilan yang baik dibandingkan dengan kedua metode lainnya dengan besarnya error steady state di bawah 2%.

Kelaniya Journal of Human Resource Management is the journal of the Department of Human Resource Management, University of Kelaniya. The objective of this journal is to disseminate knowledge of research as conducted by the academic scientists and practitioners in the field of HRM. The journal contains research and review papers.

A novel combination of loop and dipole antennas into a Yagi-like structure is here investigated to implement a wearable antenna. The textile antenna is designed for being integrated into a smart glove together with a compact UHF-radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. A number of compact Yagi-like textile structures have been analyzed and compared, which consist of a rhombus-shaped folded dipole and parasitic elements acting as either a reflector or directors. The latter are needed to focus the field out of the operator hand, so limiting the radiation toward undesired directions. Four compact Yagi-like layouts (with one or two directors, with one director and one reflector, and with one reflector and two directors) are developed on a stretchable fabric and their performance is measured in terms of reflection coefficient and near-field distribution. Read range performance is measured by using COTS RFID reader and tags.