• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 1997

Ultrasonic sensors are widely used in various applications due to advantages of low cost, simplicity in construction, mechanical robustness, and little environmental restriction in usage. But the main purposes of the noncontact sensors are rather narrowly confined within object detection and distance measurement. For the application of object recognition, ultrasonic sensors exhibit several shortcomings of poor directionality which results in low spatial resolution of an object, and specularity which gives frequent erroneous range readings. To resolve these problems in object recognition, an array of the sensors has been used. To improve the spatial resolution, more number of sensors are used in essence throughout the various devices of the sensor arrays. Under the disguise of a fixed number of the sensors, the array can be shifted mechanically in several steps. In this paper we propose a practical sensor resolution enhancement method using an electronic circuit accompanying the sensor array. The circuit changes the transmitter output voltage in several steps. Using the known sensor characteristics, a set of different return echo signals provide enhanced spatial resolution. The improvement is obtained without the cost of the increased number of the sensors nor extra mechanical devices.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.226-231
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• 2020

In order to maximize the production of landscape plants in optimal condition while coexisting with the environment in terms of precision agriculture, quick and accurate information gathering of the internal environmental elements of the growing container is necessary. This may depend on the accuracy of the positioning of numerous sensors connected to landscape plants cultivating system (LPCS) in containers. Thus, this paper presents a method for estimating the location of the sensors related to cultivation environment connected to LPCS by measuring the received signal strength (RSS) or time of arrival TOA received between oneself and adjacent sensors. The Small sensors connected to the LPCS of container are known for their locations, but the remaining locations must be estimated. For this in the paper, Rao-Cramer limits and maximum likelihood estimators are derived from Gaussian models and lognormal models for TOA and RSS measurements, respectively. As a result, this study suggests that both RSS and TOA range measurements can produce estimates of the exact locations of the cultivation environment sensors within the wireless sensor network related to the LPCS.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.377-384
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• 2019

People currently spend more than 80% of their time indoors; therefore, the management of indoor air quality has become an important issue. The contamination of indoor air can cause sick house syndrome and various environmental diseases such as atopy and nephropathy. Formaldehyde gas, which is the main contaminant of indoor air, is lethal even with microscopic exposure; however, it is commonly used as an adhesive and waterproofing agent for indoor building materials. Therefore, there is a need for a gas sensor capable of detecting trace amounts of formaldehyde gas. In this review, we summarize recent studies on metal oxide-based semiconductor gas sensors for formaldehyde gas detection, methods to improve the gas-sensing properties of metal oxides of various dimensions, and the effects of catalysts for the detection of parts-per-billion level gases. Through this, we discuss the necessary characteristics of the metal oxidebased semiconductors for gas sensors for the development of next-generation sensors.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.277-285
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• 2016

There is a growing demand for simple, cost-effective, and accurate analytical tools to determine the concentrations of biological and environmental compounds. In this study, a stable electroactive thin film of cobalt hexacyanoferrate (Cohcf) was prepared as an in situ chemical precipitant using electrostatic adsorption of $Co^{2+}$ on a silicate sol-gel matrix (SSG)-modified indium tin oxide electrode pre-adsorbed with $[Fe(CN)_6]^{3-}$ ions. The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. Electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine on the modified electrode was studied. An electrochemical sensor for hydrazine was constructed on the SSG-Cohcf-modified electrode. The oxidation peak currents showed a linear relationship with the hydrazine concentration. This study provides insight into the in situ growth and stability behavior of Cohcf nanostructures and has implications for the design and development of advanced electrode materials for fuel cells and sensor applications.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.354-360
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• 1999

PCN-PZT piezoelectric acceleration sensors of annular shear mode voltage type were fabricated and their characteristics have been investigated. Field tests are also carried out. To avoid noise problems from the environmental conditions, acceleration sensors employed solid state micro-electronics for pre-amplifier. The calibration procedures based on the principle of the comparison method were adopted for investigating the characteristics of fabricated acceleration sensors. The voltage sensitivity and resonant frequency of fabricated acceleration sensors were 83mv/g, 23kHz, respectively. The lower and upper frequency limit were 4Hz and 9kHz, respectively. The variation of the voltage sensitivity showed 10% at $-406{\circ}C\; and\; 9%\; at\; 121^{\circ}C$ compared to that of reference temperature at $40^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.340-351
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• 2023

Wearable sensors designed for strain, pressure, and temperature measurements are essential for monitoring human movements, health status, physiological data, and responses to external stimuli. Notably, recent research has led to the development of high-performance wearable sensors using innovative materials and device structures that exhibit ultra-high sensitivity compared with their commercial counterparts. However, the quest for accurate sensing has identified a critical challenge. Specifically, the mechanical flexibility of the substrates in wearable sensors can introduce interference signals, particularly when subjected to varying external stimuli and environmental conditions, potentially resulting in signal crosstalk and compromised data fidelity. Consequently, the pursuit of non-interference sensing technology is pivotal for enabling independent measurements of concurrent input signals related to strain, pressure, and temperature, ensuring precise signal acquisition. In this comprehensive review, we present an overview of the recent advances in noninterference sensing strategies. We explore various fabrication methods for sensing strain, pressure, and temperature, emphasizing the use of hybrid composite materials with distinct mechanical properties. This review contributes to the understanding of critical developments in wearable sensor technology that are vital for their ongoing application and evolution in numerous fields.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.347-357
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• 2024

Oxide semiconductor gas sensors are widely used for detecting toxic, explosive, and flammable gases due to their simple structure, cost-effectiveness, and potential integration into compact devices. However, their reliable gas detection is hindered by a longstanding issue known as humidity dependence, wherein the sensor resistance and gas response change significantly in the presence of moisture. This problem has persisted since the inception of oxide semiconductor gas sensors in the 1960s. This paper explores the root causes of humidity dependence in oxide semiconductor gas sensors and presents strategies to address this challenge. Mitigation strategies include functionalizing the gas-sensing material with noble metal/transition metal oxides and rare-earth/rare-earth oxides, as well as implementing a moisture barrier layer to prevent moisture diffusion into the gas-sensing film. Developing oxide semiconductor gas sensors immune to humidity dependence is expected to yield substantial socioeconomic benefits by enabling medical diagnosis, food quality assessment, environmental monitoring, and sensor network establishment.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.407-412
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• 2000

Environmental biosensors and related techniques for monitoring organochlorines, endocrine disrupting chemicals and cyanobacterial toxins are described. The practical requirements for an ideal environmental biosensor are analyzed. Specific case studies for environmental applications are reported for triazines, chlorinated phenols, PCBs, microcystins, and endocrine disrupting chemicals. A new promising approach is reported for microcystins and alkylphenols that utilize electrooptical detection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.547-557
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• 2016

Due to threats caused by social disasters, operating surveillance devices are essential for social safety. CCTV, infrared cameras and other surveillance equipment are used to observe threats. This research proposes a method for searching for the optimum location of surveillance sensors. A GA (Genetic Algorithm) was used, since this algorithm is one of the most reasonable and efficient methods for solving complex non-linear problems. The sensor specifications, a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) and VITD (Vector Product Interim Terrain Data) maps were used for input data. We designed a chromosome using the sensor pixel location, and used elitism selection and uniform crossover for searching final solution. A fitness function was derived by the number of detected pixels on the borderline and the sum of the detection probability in the surveillance zone. The results of a 5-sensor and a 10-sensor were compared and analyzed.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2022

Bridges are critical to the civil engineering infrastructure network as they facilitate movement of people, the transportation of goods and services. Given the aging of bridge infrastructure, federal officials mandate visual inspections biennially to identify necessary repair actions which are time, cost, and labor-intensive. Additionally, the expansion joints of bridges are rarely monitored due to cost. However, expansion joints are critical as they absorb movement from thermal effects, loadings strains, impact, abutment settlement, and vehicle motion movement. Thus, the need to monitor bridge expansion joints efficiently, at a low cost, and wirelessly is desired. This paper addresses bridge joint monitoring needs to develop a cost-effective, real-time wireless system that can be validated in a full-scale bridge structure. To this end, a wireless expansion joint monitoring was developed using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors. An in-service bridge was selected as a testbed to validate the performance of the developed system compared with traditional displacement sensor, LVDT, temperature and humidity sensors. The short-term monitoring campaign with the wireless sensor system with the internet protocol version 6 over the time slotted channel hopping mode of IEEE 802.15.4e (6TiSCH) network showed reliable results, providing high potential of the developed system for effective joint monitoring at a low cost.