Research Overview

The Sensor Technology Opportunity Engine issue for January 2022 covers innovations in camera sensors, image sensors, LiDARs, pressure sensors, fingerprint sensors, temperature sensors, and 4D RADAR. Some of the innovations profiled include an indium gallium arsenide-based shortwave infrared camera sensor, a 360-degree LiDAR sensor, a sensor for quality control inspection, 4D RADAR with 360-degree environmental detection, temperature sensors with NFC, and X-ray sensors.

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.