• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2023

The significance of gas sensors has been emphasized in various industries and applications, owing to the growing significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management in corporate operations. In particular, the monitoring of hazardous gas leakages and detection of fugitive emissions have recently garnered significant attention across several industrial sectors. As industrial workplaces evolve to ensure the safety of their working environments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the demand for high-performance gas sensors in industrial sectors dealing with toxic substances is on the rise. However, conventional gas-sensing systems have limitations in monitoring fugitive gas leakages at both critical and subcritical concentrations in complex environments. To overcome these difficulties, recent studies in the field of gas sensors have employed techniques such as mobile robotic olfaction, remote optical sensing, chemical grid sensing, and remote acoustic sensing. This review highlights the significant progress made in various technologies that have enabled accurate and real-time mapping of gas distribution and localization of hazardous gas sources. These recent advancements in gas-sensing technology have shed light on the future role of gas-detection systems in industrial safety.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.338-343
• /
• 2024

The measurement of pH is of significant importance in chemistry, life sciences, and environmental monitoring. Unlike conventional pH sensors that utilize glass electrodes, thin-film transistor (TFT)-based pH sensors offer distinct advantages, including enhanced response speed and additional circuit functions. In this study, we developed a pH sensor that incorporates biocompatible parylene-C as both the substrate and sensing layer, thereby enhancing flexibility, transparency, and biological compatibility. We conducted tests to measure the voltage-current characteristics of the pH solutions and assessed their performance in terms of drift and hysteresis. Using InGaZnO (IGZO) as the channel material, our pH sensor demonstrated an average sensitivity of approximately 82 mV/pH, albeit with certain drift limitations. The initial pH measurements exhibited good reversibility over time. IGZO- and parylene-C-based TFT pH sensors are well suited for various applications, including wearable health monitoring, owing to their flexibility and biocompatibility.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 2024

The automotive industry is transitioning from traditional internal combustion engines to systems powered by motors, batteries, and various electronic control units. Central to this shift is the micro-controller unit, which processes data from various sensors for real-time environmental awareness and control. This paper explores using non-contact magnetic sensors for sensing vehicle inclination as part of a digital twin implementation. Unlike optical or contact sensors, non-contact magnetic sensors offer robust performance in challenging environments, providing consistent and reliable data under varying conditions. To optimize real-time data processing, we propose a double buffer structure to enhance digital signal processing performance in embedded systems. Experiments using a custom sensor-integrated board demonstrate that the double buffer structure with direct memory access-enabled serial peripheral interface significantly reduces data processing time and improves noise reduction filtering. Our results show that the proposed system can greatly enhance the reliability and accuracy of sensor data, crucial for real-time vehicle control systems. In particular, by using the double buffer structure proposed in this paper, it was possible to secure 8.27 times more data compared to raw data, despite performing additional filtering. The techniques outlined have potential applications in various fields, offering enhanced monitoring and optimization capabilities, thus paving the way for more advanced and efficient vehicle control technologies.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.457-468
• /
• 2023

Buildings, bridges, and dams are examples of civil infrastructure that play an important role in public life. These structures are prone to structural variations over time as a result of external forces that might disrupt the operation of the structures, cause structural integrity issues, and raise safety concerns for the occupants. Therefore, monitoring the state of a structure, also known as structural health monitoring (SHM), is essential. Owing to the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, next-generation sensors, such as wireless sensors, UAVs, and video cameras, have recently been utilized to improve the quality and efficiency of building forensics. This study presents a method that uses a target-based system to estimate the dynamic displacement and its corresponding dynamic properties of structures using UAV-based video. A laboratory experiment was performed to verify the tracking technique using a shaking table to excite an SDOF specimen and comparing the results between a laser distance sensor, accelerometer, and fixed camera. Then a field test was conducted to validate the proposed framework. One target marker is placed on the specimen, and another marker is attached to the ground, which serves as a stationary reference to account for the undesired UAV movement. The results from the UAV and stationary camera displayed a root mean square (RMS) error of 2.02% for the displacement, and after post-processing the displacement data using an OMA method, the identified natural frequency and damping ratio showed significant accuracy and similarities. The findings illustrate the capabilities and reliabilities of the methodology using UAV to evaluate the dynamic properties of structures.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 2021

With a striking increase in the level of contamination and subsequent degradations in the environment, detection and monitoring of contaminants in various sites has become a crucial mission in current society. In this review, we have summarized the current research areas in membrane-based colorimetric sensors for trace detection of various molecules. The researches covered in this summary utilize membranes composed of cellulose fibers as sensing platforms and metal nanoparticles or fluorophores as optical reagents. Displaying decent or excellent sensitivity, most of the developed sensors achieve a significant selectivity in the presence of interfering ions. The physical and chemical properties of cellulose membrane platforms can be customized by changing the synthesis method or type of optical reagent used, allowing a wide range of applications possible. Membrane-based sensors are also portable and have great mechanical properties, which enable on-site detection of contaminants. With such superior qualities, membrane-based sensors examined in the researches were used for versatile purposes including quantification of heavy metals in drinking water, trace detection of toxic antibiotics and heavy metals in environmental water samples. Some of the sensors exhibited additional features like antimicrobial ability and recyclability. Lastly, while most of the sensors aimed for a detection enabled by naked eyes through rapid colour change, many of them investigated further detection methods like fluorescence, UV-vis spectroscopy, and RGB colour intensity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.78-88
• /
• 2022

Objectives: To develop the smart sensor to protect worker's health from chemical exposure by adopting ICT (Information and Communications Technology) technologies. Methods: To develope real-time chemical exposure monitoring system, IoT (Internet of Things) sensor technology and regulations were reviewed. We developed and produced smart sensor. A smart sensor is a system consisting of a sensor unit, a communication unit, and a platform. To verify the performance of smart sensors, each sensor has been certified by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS). Results: Chemicals (TVOC; Total Volatile Organic Compounds, Cl₂: Chlorine, HF: Hydrogen fluoride and HCN: Hydrogen cyanide) were selected according to a priority logic (KOSHA Alert, acute poisoning statistics, literature review). Notifications were set according to OEL (occupational exposure limit). Sensors were selected based on OEL and the capabilities of the sensors. Communication is designed to use LTE (Long Term Evolution) and Wi-Fi at the same time for convenience. Electronic platform were applied to build this monitoring system. Conclusions: Real-time monitoring system for OEL of hazardous chemicals in workplace was developed. Smart sensor can detect chemicals to complement monitoring of traditional workplace environmental monitoring such as short term and peak exposure. Further research is needed to expand the scope of application, improve reliability, and systematically application.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 2019

Objectives of this study were to identify the hotspot for displacement of the on-line water quality sensors, in order to detect illicit discharge of untreated wastewater. A total of twenty-six water quality parameters were measured in sewer networks of the industrial complex located in Daejeon city as a test-bed site of this study. For the water qualities measured on a daily basis by 2-hour interval, the self-organizing maps(SOMs), one of the artificial neural networks(ANNs), were applied to classify the catchments to the clusters in accordance with patterns of water qualities discharged, and to determine the hotspot for priority sensor allocation in the study. The results revealed that the catchments were classified into four clusters in terms of extent of water qualities, in which the grouping were validated by the Euclidean distance and Davies-Bouldin index. Of the on-line sensors, total organic carbon(TOC) sensor, selected to be suitable for organic pollutants monitoring, would be effective to be allocated in D and a part of E catchments. Pb sensor, of heavy metals, would be suitable to be displaced in A and a part of B catchments.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.594-602
• /
• 2022

Cast-resin transformers are widely installed in various electrical power systems because of their low operating cost and low influence on external environmental factors. However, when they have an internal defect during the manufacturing process or operation, a partial discharge (PD) occurs, and eventually destroys the insulation. In this paper, a Rogowski-type PD sensor was studied to replace commercial PD sensors used for the insulation diagnosis of power apparatus. The proposed PD sensor was manufactured with four different types of PCB-based winding structures, and it was analyzed in terms of the detection characteristics for standard calibration pulses and the changes of the output voltage according to the distance. The output increased linearly in accordance with the applied discharge amount. It was confirmed that the hexagon structure sensor had the highest sensitivity, because the winding cross-sectional area of the sensor was larger than others. In addition, as the distance from the defect increased, the output voltage of the sensors decreased by 7.32% on average. It was also confirmed that the attenuation rate according to the distance decreased as the input discharge amount increased. For the application of this new type sensor, PD electrode system was designed to simulate the void defect. Waveforms and PRPD patterns measured by the proposed PD sensors at DIV and 120% of DIV were the same as the results measured by MPD 600 based on IEC 60270. The proposed PD sensors can be installed on the inner wall of the transformer tank by coating its surfaces with a non-conductive material; therefore, it is possible to detect internal defects more effectively at a closer distance from the defect than the conventional sensors.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.291-299
• /
• 2005

An obstacle avoidance algorithm for a network-based autonomous mobile robot is proposed in this paper. The obstacle avoidance algorithm is based on the VFH(Vector Field Histogram) algorithm and two delay compensation methods with the VFH algorithm are proposed for a network-based robot with distributed environmental sensors, mobile actuators, and the VFH controller. Firstly, the environmental sensor information is compensated by prospection with acquired environmental sensor information, measured network delays, and the kinematic model of the robot. The compensated environmental sensor information is used for building polar histogram with the VFH algorithm. Secondly, a sensor fusion algorithm for localization of the robot is proposed to compensate the delay of odometry sensor information and the delay of environmental sensor information. Through some simulation tests, the performance enhancement of the proposed algorithm in the viewpoint of efficient path generation and accurate goal positioning is shown here.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.41-54
• /
• 2013

Concrete is known as a heterogeneous product which is composed of complex chemical composition and reaction. The development of concrete thermal effect during early age is critical on its future structural health and long term durability. When cement is mixed with water, the exothermic chemical reaction generates hydration heat, which raises the temperature within the concrete. Consequently, cracking may occur if the concrete temperature rises too high or if there is a large temperature difference between the interior and the exterior of concrete structures during early age hydration. This paper describes the contribution of novel Fabry-Perot (FP) fiber optic temperature sensors to investigate the thermal effects of concrete hydration process. Concrete specimens were manufactured under various water-to-cement (w/c) ratios from 0.40 to 0.60. During the first 24 hours of concreting, two FP fiber optic temperature sensors were inserted into concrete specimens with the protection of copper tubing to monitor the surface and core temperature change. The experimental results revealed effects of w/c ratios on surface and core temperature developments during early age hydration, as well as demonstrating that FP fiber optic sensors are capable of capturing temperature variation in the concrete with reliable performance. Temperature profiles are used for calculating the apparent activation energy ($E_a$) and the heat of hydration (H(t)) of concrete, which can help us to better understand cement hydration.