In order to predict plant stresses at a localized level, data feeds from many sensor types can be fused and analyzed to create a synthetic sensor estimating plant water stress, predicting microclimatic conditions, and performing localized plant disease and pest modeling. To make this affordable, an array of low-cost, lower precision sensors can be used. Sensor fusion is used to improve the accuracy of each sensing element by using machine learning to fuse data from the other sensing elements in the array. Additionally, machine learning can create a “synthetic sensor” replicating the output of high-cost and maintenance intensive sensing devices by using machine learning to replicate their output.

A system for imaging material, typically in an underground scenario, comprising of a plurality of conductive electrodes supported on a conductive substrate positionable in an environment to be imaged, a signal generator connected to at least two of the electrodes, and a signal detector connected to at least two of the electrodes, and wherein an impedance compensator is arranged between each electrode and its substrate to counter parasitic impedance between the two. Typically the impedance compensator may be arranged to act as a negative capacitance, which may be approximately equal to any capacitance between the electrode and the substrate. An electrode may be a drive electrode coupled to a signal generator, or a detector electrode coupled to a detector, or may be reconfigurable to act as either one.

Disclosed herein is a chemical sensing system, comprising: a sensor configured to adsorb an analyte; an electronic circuit to operate the sensor; and a microcontroller in communication with the sensor and the electronic circuit. The microcontroller can also be configured to provide a real-time signal indicative of a concentration of the analyte. The sensor can comprise a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator and a sensing film configured to adsorb the analyte, the sensing film coating at least a portion of the sensor. The MEMS resonator can comprise a second sensor, such as an impedimetric sensor to measure at least a second property of the sensing film. The electronic circuit can process signals stemming from at least two properties of the same sensing film, such as the changes in mass and dielectric constant of the same sensing film due to adsorption of analyte.

Provided is a capacitive gas sensor. The capacitive gas sensor comprises a sensitive material for adsorbing and desorbing a target gas, an upper electrode surrounding the sensitive material, a lower electrode facing the upper electrode, and a porous structure disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, wherein the capacitance of the sensitive material changes as the sensitive material adsorbs and desorbs the target gas.

Provided is a capacitive gas sensor. The capacitive gas sensor comprises a sensitive material for adsorbing and desorbing a target gas, an upper electrode surrounding the sensitive material, a lower electrode facing the upper electrode, and a porous structure disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, wherein the capacitance of the sensitive material changes as the sensitive material adsorbs and desorbs the target gas.

A capacitance detection area sensor includes capacitance sensor elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, is shaped into an appropriate shape, and capacitively coupled to an external electrode. To the external electrode, a sensing signal having a potential difference is supplied. The first and second sensor output signals are acquired from a capacitance sensor element capacitively coupled to the external electrode, at the timing of the sensing signal being a first signal and being a second signal, respectively. A differential signal is generated from a difference between the acquired first and second sensor output signals, and an image indicating the shape of the external electrode is generated based on the level of the differential signal, in different colors or different tones.

Biosensors are provided for the detection of pathogens such as viruses. The sensors can includes a substrate, and a film disposed on the substrate. The film can include an electrically-conducting polymer, and an aromatic dialdehyde such as terephthaldehyde. The sensors experience a fast and repeatable decrease in electrical conductivity in the presence of certain pathogens, including the SARS-Cov-2 pseudo virus.

Biosensors are provided for the detection of pathogens such as viruses. The sensors can includes a substrate, and a film disposed on the substrate. The film can include an electrically-conducting polymer, and an aromatic dialdehyde such as terephthaldehyde. The sensors experience a fast and repeatable decrease in electrical conductivity in the presence of certain pathogens, including the SARS-Cov-2 pseudo virus.

For sensing pH of a fluid, a heating apparatus of a semiconductor die controls a temperature of the fluid to a first temperature. A first voltage of a gate of a floating gate transistor of the semiconductor die is measured while the temperature of the fluid is at the first temperature. Also, the heating apparatus controls the temperature of the fluid to a second temperature that is different than the first temperature. A second voltage of the gate is measured while the temperature of the fluid is at the second temperature. The pH of the fluid is determined based on the first and second voltages, the first temperature and the second temperature.

An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.