INSTRUMENTATION & ELECTRONICS


more affordable and more durable than existing sensors, Omnitron is uniquely able to satisfy unmet needs in long-stifled markets with enormous potential which have hit a will due to the longstanding limitations in sensor technology and the inability of legacy MEMS manufacturing techniques to address those constraints.”


PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES Meanwhile, Allegro MicroSystems has boldly claimed to “redefine sensing” with the launch of two new current sensor ICs. The ACS37030MY and the ACS37220MZ leverage the company’s cutting-edge sensing technology to provide low internal conductor resistance, high operating bandwidth and reliable performance across a wide range of automotive, industrial and consumer applications. “We’re excited to introduce our


latest current sensor ICs, as Allegro continues to push the boundaries of sensor IC technology,” says Ram Sathappan, vice president of global marketing and applications at Allegro MicroSystems. “Our newest sensors establish new standards for precision and reliability, empowering customers to overcome design and efficiency standards, while also demonstrating how our technology is driving a smarter, more efficient future.” Designed for precise current sensing in a compact and durable package, the new current sensor ICs deliver higher isolation in a 40% smaller footprint compared to the existing 16- pin packages on the market. The new innovative designs also incorporate lower resistance, which helps to reduce power dissipation.


SPREAD YOUR WINGS From the world of research, scientists at the Institute of Science Tokyo


Omnitron Sensors’ fabrication IP enables OXCs in long-range LiDAR for autonomous navigation systems


have designed a hummingbird- inspired flapping-wing robot capable of detecting the direction of weak airflow through machine learning of wing strain data. The researchers were able to detect wind direction with 99% accuracy using seven strain gauges on the flapping wing and convolutional neural network model. The breakthrough was inspired by


natural strain receptors within the wings of flying insects and birds that collect strain sensory data to aid their flight control. The researchers applied this idea to their study (published in Advanced Intelligent Systems) to investigate the use of strain sensors on hummingbird-mimetic flexible wings to accurately detect flow directions during tethered flapping in a wind tunnel simulating hovering flight under gentle wind conditions. “Small aerial robots cannot afford


conventional flow-sensing apparatus due to severe limitations in weight and size,” explains associate professor Hiroto Tanaka. “Hence, it would be beneficial is simple wing strain sensing could be utilised to directly recognise flow conditions without additional dedicated devices. This study contributes to the growing understanding that hovering birds and insects may sensitively perceive wind through strain sensing of their flapping wings, which would be


We’re excited to introduce


our latest current sensor ICs, as Allegro continues to push the boundaries of sensor IC technology


beneficial for responsive flight control. A similar system can be realised in biomimetic flapping-wing aerial robots using simple strain gauges.”


SELF-POWERED SENSORS In South Korea, researchers have been researching ways to improve the manufacturing and performance of self-powered tactile sensors for robotics. The team at Chung-Ang University have been focusing on both piezoelectric and triboelectric tactile sensors which generate their own power. Although both sensor types offer self-powered functionality, piezoelectric sensors leverage voltage generation through mechanical stress in non-centrosymmetric materials, such as quartz and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), while triboelectric sensors operate on contact-induced charge transfer. Previously, the manufacturing of


these types of sensors was limited by material brittleness and environmental limitations. However, the researchers’ new novel manufacturing process has overcome these challenges, combining innovative material engineering and advanced fabrication techniques to deliver multi-modal sensing and real- time interaction capabilities to sensors. “Our study explains the materials


and device fabrication strategies for tactile sensors using piezoelectric and triboelectric effects, as well as the types of sensory recognition,” says professor Hanjun Ryu. “These strategies aimed to enable the development of high-performance sensors for applications in robotics, wearable devices and healthcare systems. It is anticipated that AI- based multi-sensory sensors will make innovative contributions to such advancements in various fields.”


www.engineerlive.com 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52