Research Overview

The Sensor Technology Opportunity Engine issue for December 2021 covers innovations in inertial sensors, position sensors, smart sensors, and AI sensors. Some of the innovations profiled include MEMS-based inertial sensors with six degrees of freedom, carbon nanotube-based ultra-thin capacitive sensor for human-computer interaction, a linear potentiometer position sensor with small form factor, an artificial intelligence (AI) sensor system for traffic management, and a novel 3D sensor for inspecting flat glass and shiny surfaces.

Sensor Technology Opportunity Engine (TOE) captures global sensor-related innovations and developments on a monthly basis. Innovations are directed toward developing smart and intelligent sensors with functionalities beyond sensing. Research focus areas include: low power sensors (energy harvesting), industrial automation sensors (M2M, vision sensor), ubiquitous sensor (WSN, sensor fusion), smart sensors (wearables, quantified self), high sensitivity and smaller size (MEMS, nanosensors), and improved security (CBRNE, terahertz). The need for low power, smaller, lighter sensors with enhanced performance attributes and minimal false alarms is driving innovations in the sensors space.

The Sensors and Instrumentation cluster covers innovations pertaining to technologies such as wireless sensors and networks, energy harvesting, haptics and touch, MEMS and nanosensors, Terahertz, ubiquitous/smart sensors, CBRNE, quantified-self, sensor fusion, M2M communications, and drones.