A thermal sensing system includes an electrical contact, a sensing element, and at least one position sensor. The electrical contact releasably connects to a mating contact for establishing a conductive path across a mating interface. The electrical contact defines a channel therein that extends from an opening along an outer surface of the electrical contact. The sensing element is at least partially outside of the channel and is configured to move relative to the electrical contact from a first position to a second position based on a temperature increase within the channel that exceeds a designated threshold temperature. The at least one position sensor is spaced apart from the electrical contact and is configured to detect a position change of the sensing element from the first position to the second position, indicating that the temperature within the channel exceeds the designated threshold temperature.

A MEMS structure including a latch, a first lever, and a second lever. The first lever is designed to move past the latch as a result of flexure in the event of a change in a parameter in a first direction, and to latch in place at the latch if a change in the parameter in a second direction different than the first direction subsequently takes place. The second lever is designed to move past the first lever as a result of flexure in the event of the change in the parameter in the second direction, and to latch in place at the first lever if a change in the parameter in the first direction takes place after the change in the parameter in the second direction.

Sensors, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices and electronic circuitry for processing an output of the sensing devices. The sensing devices each include a cantilevered structure and at least one contact configured for contact-mode operation with the cantilevered structure in response to the cantilevered structure deflecting toward or away from the contact when exposed to the parameter of interest. The cantilevered structure has at least first and second beams of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of exposure to the parameter.

A sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) comprising a first diamond substrate (9) with at least one color center (15), the sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) further comprising a first piezomagnetic (10) or piezoelectric primary element (11), which primary element (10, 11) is arranged to interact with the color center(s) (15) of the first diamond substrate (9).

A sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) comprising a first diamond substrate (9) with at least one color center (15), the sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) further comprising a first piezomagnetic (10) or piezoelectric primary element (11), which primary element (10, 11) is arranged to interact with the color center(s) (15) of the first diamond substrate (9).

An apparatus for measuring a temperature of a power device using a piezoelectric device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; at least one power device formed on one surface of the substrate; and at least one piezoelectric device disposed on the substrate as spaced from the power device and configured to measure a thermal stress generated on the substrate to sense a temperature caused by heat generation of the power device.

A detector of an event includes an electrical energy generator formed by a flexible piezoelectric element with a weight fastened to the flexible piezoelectric element that is biased with the weight in a position with the piezoelectric element flexed. In response to detection of the event, a trigger releases the weight so as to cause a vibration of the piezoelectric element. This vibration is converted by the flexible piezoelectric element into electrical energy. An electronic system is power by the electrical energy and is operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected event.

A detector of an event includes an electrical energy generator formed by a flexible piezoelectric element with a weight fastened to the flexible piezoelectric element that is biased with the weight in a position with the piezoelectric element flexed. In response to detection of the event, a trigger releases the weight so as to cause a vibration of the piezoelectric element. This vibration is converted by the flexible piezoelectric element into electrical energy. An electronic system is power by the electrical energy and is operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected event.

A sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) comprising a first diamond substrate (9) with at least one colour centre (15), the sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) further comprising a first piezomagnetic (10) or piezoelectric primary element (11), which primary element (10, 11) is arranged to interact with the colour centre(s) (15) of the first diamond substrate (9).

A structural health monitoring sensor includes a first layer of micromachined planar foil welded to a target structure, the first layer having a cavity and groove formed therein, the groove extending from the first cavity to the exterior of the target structure. The sensor also having second layer of micromachined planar foil welded to the first layer, the second layer having a second cavity corresponding to the first cavity. The sensor also includes dielectric ceramic coating formed within the cavities and grooves to form a film resonator and film waveguide within the target structure. The resulting waveguide forming an opening on the exterior surface of the target structure. The sensor also includes an adapter attached to the exterior surface of the target structure at the waveguide opening and may be wireless.