Feature Sensor solutions
Pushing the limits of sensor technology
New markets for sensors are opening up, creating new applications and placing more demands on the sensors being used – with one of the most recent being oceanographic sensing. Rachael Morling finds out more from Derek Guenther, sensor R&D engineer, and Rob Morris, director of marketing, Ocean Optics
hese days, sensors are used across so many markets and in so many applications. However, new mar- kets are still opening up, creating new sensor needs. So as different areas of science and technology progress, a new set of customers emerge. One new area that is opening up is in the field of oceanographic sensing, and oceanographic scientists are seeing major changes in ocean chemistry and health. In fact the X-Prize Foundation has just started two new prize programs focused on oceanographic sensing: the first is the James Cook X-Prize for autonomous underwater vehicles that can run for years with many sensors on board; the second is the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health X-Prize for development of a pH sensor that can run on the James Cook vehicle. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S. is likewise very much involved in oceanographic sensing, with projects such as the Aquarius Lab in the Florida Keys. Changes in ocean chemistry are negatively affecting markets all across the world, from oyster farms in the Northwest U.S. to coral reef attractions in the tropics. Development of quality sensors for open-ocean applications will be critical in the coming years, and will be a large market.
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Meeting customer demands There have been numerous sensor technologies introduced over the years, with one particularly interesting devel- opment being the Honeywell Durafet system, an electrode-based pH sensor that shows much promise in the
ocean applications mentioned earlier. In recent years at Ocean Optics we’ve carried out such changes as improve our oxygen sensor overcoat chemistry for use in wastewater and other inten- sive applications, with a much faster response time and better mechanical durability. We’ve also released reflec- tive pH technology for non-intrusive measurement. New form factors and substrates have been offered for our oxygen sensor products, with new fea- tures such as autoclavability and USP Class VI compliance.
Customer demands, however, are evolving. Today, there is interest in sensors that can be more easily embed- ded in process streams and used in situ. People are also challenging assump- tions about existing technologies and demanding more and better data from their sensors. In addition, the notion of distributed sensing – i.e., sensors that communicate via the internet as part of
only focus on one or several of these disciplines, while neglecting others. The top optical sensor companies will be masters of thin-film composition, the chemistry that occurs within it, the manufacturing process and the optical system that measures the chemical reactions. The potential is great for advancing our understanding
Sensors can be used for such applications as monitoring oxygen in wine
‘Changes in ocean chemistry are negatively affecting markets all
across the world, from oyster farms in the Northwest U.S. to coral reef attractions in the tropics. Development of quality sensors for open-ocean applications will be critical in the coming years’
a network of widely dispersed instru- ments, perhaps – is already in play and will likely offer users much easier access to real-time application data. As a result, sensor technology is improving all the time. We see a huge potential for optical sensor improve- ments over what the industry currently offers. Chemical modification of the materials and the creation of advanced, high-performance overcoats can create fibre optic chemical sensors with a larger dynamic range, greater environ- mental stability, higher resolution, faster response time and improved reproducibility. This is really a fusion of material science, inorganic and organic chemistry, chemical engineer- ing and optics, which will need to become even closer-knit in the future for developments to advance. Many optical sensor companies
measurement & sensors directory 2012-2013
of areas such as medical diagnostics, health and safety, environmental risks and much more.
Evolving markets
There are hundreds of evolving and spawning markets that will drive sensors into the future – continually pushing the limits of the technology and keeping pressure on R&D groups to improve performance.
In the coming years we’d expect to see an increase in sensing needs for environmental, medical, oil and gas, and electronics fields. In our area of fibre optic chemical sensing, this will provide both the benefit of new customers and the challenge of tailoring our technologies to meet each market’s specific needs.
Ocean Optics
www.oceanoptics.com
Left:
Optical oxygen sensors have the advantage of being useable in viscous media such as peanut butter
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