Sensors

MantiSpectra is an early-stage Dutch company that is developing miniaturized NIR spectrometers based on indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs).

The self-powered fabric was developed using triboelectric nanogenerators, which use movement to collect the energy needed to power the posture monitoring sensors. The data collected by the sensors is processed by an integrated machine learning algorithm that can provide immediate feedback, alerting the wearer when they need to adjust their posture.

Senorics is an early-stage German company that has produced miniaturized spectrometers based on organic electronics. These are targeted at consumer applications such as robotic vacuum cleaners.

HydroGraph is a Kansas, US, start-up producing graphene via detonation chambers. IDTechEx spoke with Dr Ranjith Divigalpitiya, Chief Scientific Officer at HydroGraph.

COVID-19 testing at point of care peaked in Q1 2022. Is testing waning? What is COVID-19's lasting effect on point-of-care testing?

Netled is a Finland-based vertical farming turnkey solutions provider, providing customers with access to the requisite technology and expertise for construction of a vertical farm. IDTechEx Analyst Brendan Beh spoke with Netled International Sales Manager Thomas Dilley on the 16th of May, 2022.

Imagine this: A smooth touchscreen display placed on top of a thin silicone polymer film suddenly generates the feeling of a tiny raised button under the user's finger. Or how about the idea of wearing that same polymer film like a second skin? If used to line an industrial glove, the film can provide valuable feedback by gesture recognition and by sending tactile signals, such as pulses or vibrations, to the wearer.

Withings Health Solutions is a growing division of the Withings company, which has historically made smartwatches for the consumer market. Tess Skyrme, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, interviewed Antoine Robiliard, VP of Health Solutions at Withings, about their recent release of a remote patient monitoring programme, combining wearable technology with a dedicated software platform.

Infi-Tex are a UK-based smart textile company, with a focus on intelligent, pressure-sensitive materials.

Engineers have developed a low cost, low power technology to help robots accurately map their way indoors, even in poor lighting and without recognizable landmarks or features. The technology consists of sensors that use WiFi signals to help the robot map where it's going. It's a new approach to indoor robot navigation.

Vikaso Robotics is a UK-based company specializing in integrating robotics systems with end-effectors. As a system integrator, Vikaso has established a number of clients including Cummins, BMW, and many others.

Thursday 26 May 2022 - Summary of service robots; Dominant and non-dominant applications of service robots; Analysis of the drivers and barriers to the non-dominant applications; Introduction of major market players; Opportunities and market gaps of the non-dominant applications; and more!

Gas sensors are simultaneously an established and emerging industry, creating a complex web of technologies and applications for stakeholders to understand. Detection methods span a diverse technology landscape, ranging from semiconductor and optical to acoustic and photoionization.

Glucose monitoring is an integral part of diabetes management, and test strips have historically been the predominant method of measuring blood glucose. However, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have emerged as a major competitor over the last decade.

Vascular diseases are public enemy number one: the leading killers worldwide, accounting for nearly a third of all human deaths on the planet. Continuous monitoring of hemodynamics - blood flow through the vascular system - can improve treatments and patient outcomes. Researchers are trying to improve the odds for patients with development of an implantable soft electronic monitoring system. Their new device, consisting of a smart stent and printed soft sensors, is capable of wireless real-time monitoring of hemodynamics without batteries or circuits.

Imagine being able to measure your blood sugar levels, know if you've had too much to drink, and track your muscle fatigue during a workout, all in one small device worn on your skin. Engineers have developed a prototype of such a wearable that can continuously monitor several health stats—glucose, alcohol, and lactate levels—simultaneously in real-time.

Smartwatches have soared in popularity in recent years, with their motion and heart rate sensors tracking the activity of millions worldwide. However, not all activity can be monitored using step counts - limiting the appeal of existing wearable technology to many gym-goers and amateur athletes.

Engineers have developed a glucose power source that could fuel miniature implants and sensors. The device is smaller than other proposed glucose fuel cells, measuring just 400 nanometers thick, or about 1/100 the diameter of a human hair. The sugary power source generates about 43 microwatts per square centimeter of electricity, achieving the highest power density of any glucose fuel cell to date under ambient conditions.

Many of our daily activities involve our hands' prehensile abilities. While able-bodied people don't think twice when using a spoon or lifting a glass, these actions are nearly impossible for someone unable to grasp things with their fingers. Emovo Care has now come up with a device that is specifically designed to overcome these obstacles.

Whoop is a wearable fitness company offering a subscription for athletes to use biometrics and companion software to optimize their Whoop strain, recovery, and sleep. Tess Skyrme, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, interviewed Senior Electrical Engineer Amy Lawson about the history of the company and their latest product release, Whoop 4.0.