Purpose This paper aims to provide a critical, up-to-date synthesis of how inertial measurement units (IMUs) are used in sports biomechanics, clarifying their capabilities, common methodological pitfalls and the research gaps that must be closed for IMUs to become routine, high-value tools in performance analysis, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Design/methodology/approach A structured narrative review collated peer-reviewed studies (2010-April 2025) that: (i) describe IMU hardware or fusion algorithms; (ii) validate IMU-derived variables against gold-standard motion-capture or force-plate data; or (iii) apply IMUs to quantify technique, load or motor control in real-world sport. Key information was extracted on sensor specifications, calibration and processing pipelines, validation metrics and sport-specific outcomes, then organized into five thematic sections: fundamental principles, sport-by-sport applications, processing/validation methods, challenges and emerging directions (machine learning [ML], multimodal fusion and real-time feedback). Findings Across running, swimming, cycling, team, overhead, combat and niche sports, IMUs reliably capture spatiotemporal gait parameters (error < 3 %) and sagittal-plane joint angles (RMSE ≈ 3–8°). Their accuracy declines for nonsagittal kinematics and estimated kinetics, as demonstrated by validation studies reporting increased RMSEs (often >10°) and reduced intraclass correlation coefficients for joint angles in the frontal and transverse planes, largely due to soft-tissue artifact, sensor misalignment and magnetic interference. Recent machine-/deep-learning models and physics-informed hybrids now predict vertical ground-reaction forces with = 10 % normalized RMSE, and classification algorithms exceed 90 % accuracy for recognizing strokes, turns and strike types. Miniaturized, lower-power micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, integrated global positioning system – heart rate – electromyography (GPS–HR–EMG) wearables and real-time haptic/visual feedback prototypes are accelerating on-field adoption, yet standardized placement, calibration and reporting protocols remain scarce. Originality/value Unlike earlier reviews that focus on a single sport or device, this paper consolidates evidence across all major sporting domains, links specific sensor-fusion and modeling choices to measurable accuracy tradeoffs and distills actionable guidelines for researchers and practitioners. By mapping persistent obstacles – especially soft-tissue artifact and methodological heterogeneity – and pairing them with promising technological and analytical advances, this review outlines a clear research agenda to unlock the full potential of IMUs in sports science. Future directions include the adoption of ultra-low-power MEMS with enhanced bias stability, integration with multimodal systems and application of ML models capable of estimating vertical ground-reaction forces with normalized RMSEs below 10% and classifying sport-specific actions with over 90% accuracy. These innovations are expected to support fully autonomous, real-time biomechanical monitoring systems deployed across training and competition environments.

Purpose This study aims to enhance biosensor performance by integrating CRISPR-Cas systems (Cas9, Cas12a, Cas13a) with ferrocene tyramine, leveraging their specificity, programmability and signal amplification to achieve breakthroughs in sensitivity, specificity and multiplexing. Design/methodology/approach The research involves analyzing CRISPR-Cas mechanisms and ferrocene tyramine’s signal enhancement, designing experiments to test target recognition, synthesizing ferrocene tyramine and integrating both technologies into hybrid biosensors. Validation assesses sensitivity, specificity and multiplexing via controlled trials. Findings Synergy between CRISPR-Cas and ferrocene tyramine yields biosensors with remarkable sensitivity, detecting low-concentration targets with high specificity. Multiplexing is enabled by adjusting guide Ribonucleic Acids (RNAs) and ferrocene tyramine-labeled antibodies. Applications span pathogen detection, biomarker analysis and environmental monitoring. Originality/value This work innovatively combines CRISPR-Cas and ferrocene tyramine, providing a novel approach to advance biosensor technology. It offers theoretical insights and technical routes for next-gen biosensors, driving innovation in biomedicine, environmental science and food safety.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the critical yet unregulated parameter of measurement current in thermistor thermometry. Focusing on quantifying the self-heating effect’s influence on measurement accuracy, it establishes operational guidelines for current selection in precision temperature measurements at metrological reference points. Design/methodology/approach Through systematic experimental research, three distinct thermistor thermometers were evaluated at two International Temperature Scale fixed points: water triple point (0.01 °C) and gallium melting point (29.7646 °C). The experimental design incorporated parametric analysis of measurement current variations, with particular emphasis on characterising the relationship between electrical power dissipation and resultant temperature measurement deviations. Findings The experimental results revealed a linear correlation between power dissipation and measurement deviations, demonstrating that maintaining dissipation power below 5 µW limits measurement errors to within 1 mK. However, this study also identified a practical trade-off: while lower currents reduce self-heating effects, they simultaneously increase measurement system complexity and implementation challenges. Originality/value This research provides systematic quantification of measurement current impacts across different thermistor types at primary temperature standards. The established 5 µW power dissipation threshold offers concrete operational guidance for metrological applications. Furthermore, the proposed methodology for balancing measurement accuracy against technical feasibility presents novel insights for precision temperature measurement system design.

Purpose This study aims to propose a temperature error compensation model based on fusion algorithm. Design/methodology/approach First, the structure and basic working principle of micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) disk solid wave gyroscope are introduced, followed by a temperature error compensation model based on the fusion algorithm of Sparrow Search Algorithm-Variational Mode Decomposition (SSA-VMD) and Random Forest-Glowworm Swarm Optimization-Gated Recurrent Unit (RF-GSO-GRU). The SSA-VMD algorithm is used to decompose the output signals of the MEMS gyroscope under different temperature conditions to obtain different frequency noise signals. The high-frequency noise signals are discarded, and the intermediate frequency mixed noise signals are filtered using the EKF algorithm. The RF-GSO-GRU algorithm is used to establish a temperature error compensation model to compensate for the low-frequency temperature noise signals. Finally, the optimized signals are reconstructed to obtain the compensated output signals of the MEMS gyroscope. Findings Based on Allan variance method, the factor Angle random walk (N) decreases from 37.526° to 0.471°/h, and the factor Bias instability (B) decreases from 79.2° to 1.226°/h. Originality/value This work presents a temperature compensation model based on SSA-VMD and RF-GSO-GRU fusion algorithm and the temperature drift based on the MEMS disk solid wave gyroscope was reduced by proposed method. This fusion algorithm can be widely applied in the field of temperature error compensation for the MEMS gyroscope.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design a high-sensitivity temperature sensor based on the vernier effect (VE) of dual-parallel Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs). Design/methodology/approach Initially, ultraviolet (UV) glue is coated on the end-face of a smooth single-mode fiber (SMF) and then tapered using a charged coupled device (CCD) precision displacement platform. Once the UV glue solidified, it is cut flat with a cutting tool to create FPI1. Subsequently, an SMF with a smooth end-face is inserted into a ceramic ferrule, and the other end-face of the ceramic ferrule is coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form FPI2 and FPI3. By adjusting the distance between the end-face of the SMF and the end-face of the ceramic ferrule, FPI2 and FPI3 are made to have different cavity lengths and free-spectral ranges (FSRs). In addition, the FSR of FPI2 is approximately equal to that of FPI1, while the FSR of FPI3 is roughly twice that of FPI1. When the temperature increases, the interference spectral lines of FPI1 gradually red-shift, whereas those of FPI2 and FPI3 gradually blue-shift. The parallel combination of FPI1 and FPI2 results in an enhanced traditional vernier effect (TVE), and the parallel combination of FPI1 and FPI3 leads to an enhanced harmonic vernier effect (HVE). Findings Experiments demonstrate that the temperature sensitivity of FPI1 is 0.17 nm/°C. The temperature sensitivities of FPI2 and FPI3 are −0.46 nm/°C and −1.90 nm/°C, respectively. Within the 30–37 °C temperature range, the enhanced traditional vernier effect sensor S1, formed by the parallel connection of FPI1 and FPI2, attains a temperature sensitivity of 9.42 nm/°C. The enhanced harmonic vernier effect sensor S2, constructed by the parallel combination of FPI1 and FPI3, reaches a temperature sensitivity of −29.59 nm/°C, respectively. These sensitivities represent a significant improvement over those of a single FPI. Originality/value These experimental results validate that the enhanced VE and the enhanced HVE represent an effective approach for enhancing sensor sensitivity. Moreover, compared with the enhanced VE, the enhanced HVE exhibits a more pronounced impact.

Purpose This paper aims to develop a highly sensitive resistive gas sensor for accurately detecting ethyl formate to achieve reliable and real-time monitoring of fish meal spoilage. Design/methodology/approach Based on the one-step solvothermal reduction method, in a specific triethylene glycol solution environment and high temperature, the 3D ZnO sensing material with a jackfruit-like structure was prepared for detecting ethyl formate gas in fish meal. Findings The gas sensor based on 3D ZnO displays high sensor response (69.68–100 ppm) at 280°C and 43% RH and good sensor response (12.18–100 ppm) at 280°C and 80% RH, ultra-low detection limit of 10 ppb at 43% RH, excellent selectivity, repeatability and long-term stability. The sensing mechanism is due to the gain or loss of electrons caused by the sensor surface reaction. The unique jackfruit-like structure, abundant oxygen vacancies and large surface area may be another factor contributing to its excellent ethyl formate gas sensing performance. Originality/value The authors first developed an ethyl formate gas sensor, and the results were compared with the previously published data. The analysis showed the ZnO gas sensor demonstrated excellent sensing performance. This work highlights the potential of high response ethyl formate gas sensors to accurately evaluate fish meal quality.

PurposeThis paper aims to present the design of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based three-dimensional combined vector hydrophone tailored for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The proposed design addresses the left-right ambiguity inherent in conventional MEMS hydrophones and enhances acoustic sensing capabilities to support improved UUV performance in underwater environments.Design/methodology/approachA novel MEMS-based three-dimensional vector hydrophone (M3DH) is proposed, integrating a highly sensitive MEMS chip with a piezoelectric ceramic-based scalar channel. A theoretical model of the hydrophone’s packaging was developed, and its acoustic performance was analyzed through COMSOL Multiphysics 6.2 simulations. Experimental validation of the hydrophone’s sensitivity and directional characteristics was conducted in a standing wave tank.FindingsThe MEMS-based three-dimensional combined hydrophone (M3DH) achieved a triaxial vector channel sensitivity of −175.6 dB at 800 Hz (re 1 V/µPa) and a scalar channel sensitivity of −186.3 dB (0 dB = 1 V/µPa). In addition, at 500 Hz, the vector channel exhibited a distinct “8”-shaped directivity pattern, whereas the scalar channel maintained a circular omnidirectional response. The hydrophone demonstrated excellent acoustic performance in three-dimensional space, effectively providing comprehensive acoustic information for small underwater platforms.Originality/valueThis research addresses the left-right ambiguity issue in MEMS hydrophones by presenting an MEMS-based three-dimensional combined hydrophone designed for integration into UUVs, offering an innovative solution to enhance underwater acoustic sensing capabilities in small platforms.

PurposeIn situ 3D reconstruction is the basis for measuring and monitoring large-scale working environments such as construction sites and coal mining surfaces. The purpose of this paper is to address the difficulties of on-site 3D reconstruction in large-scale dynamic environments. Based on panoramic rotating light detection and ranging sensors, a dynamic environment 3D reconstruction method combining occupancy grid and point cloud segmentation is proposed.Design/methodology/approachThe algorithm fully combines the information between point clouds to process the points in the region of interest, improving the processing speed of the occupancy grid method and the accuracy of dynamic object filtering. Furthermore, this paper also proposes an incremental long-short horizon segmentation and reconstruction workflow, which performs different levels of point cloud differential segmentation for various types of dynamic objects.FindingsThis paper designs detailed physical and simulation experiments in different environments to verify the advantages and reliability of the algorithm. The entire system showed satisfactory performance in experiments.Originality/valueThe proposed dynamic environment 3D reconstruction method can effectively complete the 3D reconstruction of complex work environments, and the proposed incremental long-short horizon segmentation and reconstruction workflow further improves the accuracy of dynamic object removal.

PurposeThis study aims to propose and numerically analyze a weakly-coupled polarization-maintaining few-mode fiber sensor based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) for simultaneous multiple-parameter measurement.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a weakly-coupled double-edged-eyelid-core polarization-maintaining few-mode fiber (DEEC-PM-FMF) supporting 12 eigenmodes across the whole C + L band is designed to improve the performance of simultaneous multiple-parameter sensing by optimizing the structural parameters of the fiber. Then, the intramodal Brillouin characteristics of the designed fiber, such as Brillouin gain spectrum and Brillouin frequency shift (BFS), are analyzed. Finally, based on intramodal SBS, the performance of the temperature and strain sensing in the designed fiber are studied and discussed.FindingsNumerical investigation shows the minimum errors for synchronized temperature and strain measurement can reach 0.25 and 5.78 µe, respectively.Originality/valueThis work is significant for studying intramodal SBS in the FMFs. Furthermore, the proposed weakly-coupled DEEC-PM-FMF sensor also provides a potential guide for further improving the performance of simultaneous multiple-parameter sensing.

PurposeThis paper aims to address the challenges in hydroacoustic signal detection, signal distortion and target localization caused by baseline drift. The authors propose a combined algorithm that integrates short-time Fourier transform (STFT) detection, smoothness priors approach (SPA), attitude calibration and direction of arrival (DOA) estimation for micro-electro-mechanical system vector hydrophones.Design/methodology/approachInitially, STFT method screens target signals with baseline drift in low signal-to-noise ratio environments, facilitating easier subsequent processing. Next, SPA is applied to the screened target signal, effectively removing the baseline drift, and combined with filtering to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Then, vector channel amplitudes are corrected using attitude correction with 2D compass data. Finally, the absolute target azimuth is estimated using the minimum variance distortion-free response beamformer.FindingsSimulation and experimental results demonstrate that the SPA outperforms high-pass filtering in removing baseline drift and is comparable to the effectiveness of variational mode decomposition, with significantly shorter processing times, making it more suitable for real-time applications. The detection performance of the STFT method is superior to instantaneous correlation detection and sample entropy methods. The final DOA estimation achieves an accuracy within 2°, enabling precise target azimuth estimation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to apply SPA to baseline drift removal in hydroacoustic signals, significantly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of signal processing. It demonstrates the method’s outstanding performance in the field of underwater signal processing. In addition, it confirms the reliability and feasibility of STFT for signal detection in the presence of baseline drift.