Devices and corresponding methods for capacitive foam detection in liquid containers are disclosed. The device has a sensor with a measurement electrode having a plurality of sub-electrodes, a bottom plate that is used as a counter electrode for arranging a liquid container, a sensor electronic unit that is connected to the measurement electrode and the bottom plate and is adapted to determine an impedance, in particular a capacitance, between the measurement electrode and the bottom plate, and an evaluation unit, the measurement electrode being arranged substantially perpendicularly to the bottom plate.

A humidity sensor device includes a substrate and a pair of interdigitated electrodes formed over the substrate.

A composite sensor including a temperature sensor unit that has a temperature-sensitive member and a humidity sensor unit including a moisture-sensitive member. The composite sensor further includes a first terminal used for the temperature sensor unit and the humidity sensor unit; a second terminal disposed to measure an electrical characteristic of the temperature-sensitive member with the first terminal; and a third terminal disposed to measure an electrical characteristic of the moisture-sensitive member with the first terminal.

An ultra-miniaturized, low-cost, and maintenance-free chemical sensor is capable of continuously monitoring the concentration of specific volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors released from crop plants and green plants under distress from pests or disease. The sensor is based on micromechanical structures and relies on the mechanical actuation induced by the chemical interaction between the VOCs and materials in the microstructure to passively generate a wake-up bit when the concentration of VOCs exceeds a predetermined value. The sensor does not consume power while in standby mode (i.e., when certain VOC vapors are not present), and wirelessly communicates the location of impending outbreaks upon detection of a predetermined concentration of certain VOC vapors.

According to various implementations, an apparatus for electromagnetic impedance spectrographic characterization of a material under test (MUT) includes: a planar array of at least two electrodes configured to be placed in electromagnetic communication with the MUT, wherein during operation of the planar array, at least one of the electrodes comprises a transmitting electrode for transmitting an electromagnetic signal over a range of frequencies through the MUT to at least one receiving electrode in the planar array; and a backer ground plate at least partially surrounding the at least two electrodes, the backer ground plate being electrically grounded and insulated from the at least two electrodes, wherein the backer ground plate extends from a plane formed by the at least two electrodes and separates the at least two electrodes to create an electrically isolated volume proximate to the at least two electrodes.

According to various implementations, an apparatus for electromagnetic impedance spectrographic characterization of a material under test (MUT) includes: a planar array of at least two electrodes configured to be placed in electromagnetic communication with the MUT, wherein during operation of the planar array, at least one of the electrodes comprises a transmitting electrode for transmitting an electromagnetic signal over a range of frequencies through the MUT to at least one receiving electrode in the planar array; and a backer ground plate at least partially surrounding the at least two electrodes, the backer ground plate being electrically grounded and insulated from the at least two electrodes, wherein the backer ground plate extends from a plane formed by the at least two electrodes and separates the at least two electrodes to create an electrically isolated volume proximate to the at least two electrodes.

A sensor for monitoring the quality of oil in mechanical machinery is provided. The sensor includes a portion that is sealed from the oil which contains electric circuitry to process signals received from the sensing elements. Another portion of the sensor is exposed to the oil and contains one or more sensing elements to sense one or more properties of the oil. The sensed properties may include electrical properties, temperature properties and/or optical properties.

Sensor accuracy issues may arise when a humidity sensor is kept in a high humidity environment for an extended period of time. In these circumstances, a humidity sensor reading may tend to may become less accurate over time. To improve the accuracy of sensor readings, methods and systems described herein estimate and correct for sensor drift in high humidity conditions. Methods and systems described herein may use memory to store past humidity or other sensor readings so that an estimated amount of sensor drift may be determined to improve the accuracy of sensor readings. A memory may be embedded in a sensor module so that past readings for a given sensor module are stored in the memory of the sensor module. Algorithms for sensor drift compensation, and systems and methods that use such algorithms to improve the accuracy of sensor readings, are disclosed herein.

An apparatus is disclosed which uses electrodes to analyse a test sample.

Provided is a liquid sensor or the like that is relatively easy to manufacture. The liquid sensor includes a light emitting element, an optical waveguide, a light receiving element, and a detection circuit. The optical waveguide includes a first pillar portion, a first metal plate, a second pillar portion, and a second metal plate. The first metal plate is embedded in the first pillar portion. The second pillar portion is provided at a position opposing the first pillar portion. The second metal plate is embedded in the second pillar portion. A space for liquid is formed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion. The first pillar portion includes a first end surface that faces the light emitting element. The first metal plate includes a first reflecting portion that is tilted relative to the first end surface and reflects light toward the second pillar portion. The second pillar portion includes a second end surface that faces the light receiving element. The second metal plate includes a second reflecting portion that is tilted relative to the second end surface and reflects the light from the first metal plate toward the light receiving element.