Described herein is a sensor including a sensing electrode structure and a motion-responsive structure in capacitive communication with the sensing electrode structure, the sensing electrode structure and the motion-responsive structure being separated by a first dielectric layer, the motion-responsive structure comprising a liquid metal mass within a matrix in which the liquid metal mass is movable based upon movement of the sensor, and the sensing electrode structure comprising a first electrode, and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode to form a capacitor.

An analog floating-gate (AFG) inclinometer where a plurality of AFG sensors are provided to detect the presence of a discharge caused by settling of a conductive liquid droplet contained in a sealed microchannel under gravity. A plurality of sensor port electrodes associated with the AFG sensors are placed along the length of a curved sealed microchannel of the inclinometer at specific positions calibrated to corresponding angular inclinations. Discharge detected at a specific AFG sensor port during measurement due to the movement of the conductive liquid droplet under gravity is used in determining a surface inclination being measured.

An inclination sensor includes a notification unit that notifies occurrence of inclination of a structure, a water storage tank that contains an electrolytic solution, and a primary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. In the inclination sensor, when the water storage tank is inclined with the inclination of the structure, an electrolytic solution is injected into the separator, and the primary battery starts power generation and supplies electric power necessary for driving the notification unit.

Sensors for measuring rotation about an axis are disclosed, along with methods of making and using the same. The sensors can utilize ionic liquids and electrodes that provide a unique electrical signal at each angle of rotation about an axis. The sensors can include a solid structure with a channel that circumnavigates the axis, electrodes disposed within the channel, and an ionic liquid positioned within the channel.

A method and apparatus for determining a rotational orientation of an object is provided. Embodiments of the present invention utilize an electrically conductive fluid enclosed within a shell attached to the object such that the conductive fluid contacts different portions of electrically conductive nodes, located on the inner wall of the shell, depending on the rotational orientation of the shell. The electrically activated nodes in contact with the conductive fluid act as sensors and individually transmit electric signals to a microcontroller for transformation into an indicator of a rotational orientation of the object. The indicator of the rotational orientation is then output.

An electrolyte solution for corrosion and meniscus inhibition within an electrolytic tilt sensor by use of functional materials. These functional materials are used in an electrolyte solution having at least one of a rare earth metal salt, anionic surfactant, and a hydrotrope. Additionally, the same electrolyte solution can include a non-ionic surfactant.

An electrolytic tilt sensor and a method of forming the tilt sensor. The tilt sensor includes a containment envelope integrally fabricated from a polymer material having at least three apertures formed therein, electrodes extending from outside of the envelope into the containment envelope, and partially filled with an electrolyte solution. The method of forming the tilt sensor includes the steps of molding the polymer containment envelope having a cap and a header, partially filling the cap with the electrolytic solution through the opening within the cap, and hermetically sealing the header to the cap.