Engineering & Physical Sciences » Sensors & Controls

Found 22 technologies within Sensors & Controls RSS ATOM

Figure 1. Illustration of the new vehicle detection system with RFB technology alerting a wrong-way driver. Courtesy of the Central Florida Expressway Authority.

Wrong-Way Driver Detection Technologies can Help Prevent Head-On Collisions

33441 – New systems leverage vehicle and roadside technologies to thwart head-on collisions caused by wrong-way drivers Researchers at UCF and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) have patented methods for systems that help prevent head-on collisions when drivers wrongfully enter roadways. The technologies (UCF IDs: 33441, 33714, and 33716) can be used to alert and stop wrong-way drivers... Read More

Schematic diagram of a graphene plasmonic-cavity structure, according to the invention

Monolayer Graphene Optical Detector Offers Exceptional Light Absorption

33758 – New low-cost graphene-based, light absorber increases the efficiency and performance of mid-IR photodetectors, photovoltaic devices and modulators UCF researchers have invented a graphene-based optical detector device with an unprecedented light absorption value of 60 percent in the mid infrared spectral domain. Historically, graphene’s low optical absorbance ( Various strategies use... Read More

Photonic Platform for Polarization Diversity and Extremely Broad Bandwidths

33645 – New platform enables polarizers to span optical bandwidths of more than an octave in frequency (Note: figures referenced below can be found by clicking the Image Gallery, to the right.) UCF researchers have invented a breakthrough technology for creating optical systems that enable control of different polarizations over broader bandwidths than those of conventional systems. The... Read More

Illustration of the system capturing and identifying contaminated areas in a mock medical procedure

System Monitors Medical Procedures to Detect Sterile Field Contamination

33396 – UCF researchers have developed an automated detection system aimed at helping to prevent and reduce the number of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) contracted during medical procedures. The new System for Detecting Sterile Field Events tracks activity during training or an actual medical procedure and identifies actions (such as contact-related events) that violate the sterile field and... Read More

Illustration of the hole/disk array coupled with the ground plane.

Tunable, Uncooled Infrared Detector with Narrow-Band Wavelength Selectivity

33377 – Low-cost, mid-infrared (IR) wavelength detector offers high responsivity without cryogenic cooling UCF researchers have invented a nanoscale IR detector that overcomes major limitations of today’s cooled and uncooled IR detectors. The Optical Frequency-Selective Absorber-Based Infrared Detector operates uncooled and can be tuned to a specific narrow bandwidth within the IR spectrum. The new... Read More

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Perspective views of an arc-type APTV

New Velocimeters Provide Improved Sensing Capabilities in Aquatic Environments

33297 – Introducing the Automatic Pulse Tracer Velocimeter (Cross-type and Arc-type) Measuring low flow regime water velocities is challenging, but important for investigating the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants in heterogeneous aquatic environments. Similarly, monitoring of groundwater is important for understanding solute transport processes including; pollutant fate and... Read More

An exemplary thermal conduction switch in a parallel setup according to an embodiment of the invention

Shape Memory Alloy Based Thermal Conduction Switch for on Demand Heat Transfer

31191 – This invention embodies a thermal conduction switch based on shape memory alloy material to provide on-demand heat transfer between reservoirs kept at different temperatures Thermal conduction switches play an important role in heat management for numerous systems. They are used in spacecraft and satellites for applications such as cooling of reservoirs and equipment, and long-term... Read More

Top view of the mask design of the hydrogen micro sensor, and the exploded view of the same showing the resistive temperature sensor of the hydrogen micro sensor

Micro Electro-mechanical Room Temperature Hydrogen Sensor

30305 – A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device that incorporates its own UV radiation source and thin film technology to detect hydrogen at low concentrations and at room temperature Hydrogen gas is currently used for a variety of industrial, commercial and scientific purposes. While extremely useful, it is also highly combustible, even at concentrations as low as 4% by volume. The... Read More

Finite Difference Time Domain calculation of the energy density around a metal nanoparticle under plane wave excitation

Method of Generating Frequency Tunable Resonant Scatterers

30287 – Apparatus, methods, systems and devices for enhancing optical emissions by tuning the resonant states of conductive structures In many applications, such as optical, mechanical and acoustic sensing, displays of optical information are based on scattering of optical fields with specific frequencies on various scattering structures. These actions are significantly more efficient when the... Read More

Optical block diagram showing a hybrid lens distance sensor for reflective targets according to the present invention

Low Cost and High Resolution Optical Distance Sensor with a Large Dynamic Range

31603 – This invention provides means and methods for the creation of an optical distance sensor comprised of a laser, hybrid (digital and analog) lens for ideal distance range and resolution, and an optical imager to measure target path length. The invention also makes use of a beam splitter to allow for remote sensing of object distance, motion displacement, 3D structure and spatial profile. ... Read More

Top view depiction of an exemplary micromixing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention

A Passive Micro-Mixer for Use With Micro- Fluidic Sensors in Medical, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Applications

31571 – The invention provides the means, materials and methods for creating an in-line passive micro-mixer to be combined with a micro-fluidic sensor. This device makes use of variations in side-wall shapes to alter the flow rates of miscible liquids. These side-wall shapes are comprised of polymer resins cast from a silicon wafer mold. The field of micro-fluidics is growing rapidly, with... Read More

The injection molding method of fabricating the one-piece microfluidic package

Interconnecting Microfluidic Package and Fabrication Method

31566 – The field of microfluidics is aimed at developing miniaturized devices that can robustly sense specific properties of a sample utilizing minimal sample volumes. Development of biological and chemical microfluidic sensors is challenging due to the lack of adequate packaging platforms and standardized tubing. Creating connections between various microfluidic devices is cumbersome due to fragile... Read More

Block diagram of an infrared (IR) imager constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

Enhanced Conduction Structure for Improving Infrared Microbolometer Sensors Without the Need for Cooling

30886 – Methods and apparatus for an enhanced conduction structure used in infrared (IR) microbolometer sensors. The desire to “see” in complete darkness or through obscurants such as smoke or fog has driven the development and adoption of thermal imaging technology in numerous industries. Thermal imaging devices provide the observer with instruments that can collect and convert the thermal... Read More

(a) and (b) show simplified representations of an intrisic and an extrinsic fiber optic based sensor system, respectively, according to an embodiments of the present invention

Ultra-sensitive Detection of Environmental Contaminants and biologically important molecules Using Coated Quantum Dots

30939 – Methods and apparatus for efficiently generating the reagents (quantum dots with a partial and/or fully semi-conducting outer shell for the selective detection of several substances) and the optical system for detecting said substances. The rise of industry has provided humanity with numerous benefits. Unfortunately, harmful byproducts often result from these advancements. For example,... Read More

Schematic illustrations of the fabrication procedure of a five-hole probe

Ultra High Temperature Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEMS)-Based Smart Sensors for Monitoring Gas Turbines and other Similar Extreme Environments

30235 – Process for producing novel Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based smart sensors for use in harsh, ultra-high temperatures environments Materials technology has had a profound impact on the evolution of human civilization. One of the most important advances in material technology has been the focused development of smart materials. These materials have inherent sensing properties... Read More

Schematic diagram showing the formation of the CNT filled with Pd-nanoparticles in the arc-discharge in solution method

Super Absorbent Palladium Filled Carbon Nanotubes for the Storage and Detection of Hydrogen Gas

30222 – A one-step arc-discharge in solution method for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes containing metals, such as palladium Hydrogen gas is currently utilized for a variety of industrial, commercial and scientific purposes. In the future the world looks to utilizing this gas as a sustainable energy alternative to fossil fuels, but many challenges must be overcome in order to bring hydrogen... Read More

Tandem hot metal strip rolling machinery

Control Model for Tandem Hot Metal Strip Rolling

32121 – In the manufacturing and processing of metals, especially steel, tandem metal strip rolling is a critical process. Almost half of all finished steel products worldwide start in sheet or strip form produced using hot strip rolling processing—very often in a tandem hot strip finishing mill. Challenged by a hostile high-temperature environment and no space for sensors, the strip rolling process... Read More

A perspective depiction of an example ring-shaped optical photodetector element including a plurality of integrated sensing regions having different dopants for multi-wavelength detection

Uncooled Multifunction Wideband Sensors

32899 – UCF researchers have developed a photodetector able to operate at room temperature and measure spectral ranges including microwave, THz, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR while maintaining image detail. Current commercial photodetectors are limited by the sensor’s spectral responsivity, requiring multiple sensors or unique configurations to image and sense a wide spectral range. A new nanostructured... Read More

A schematic diagram of a capillary ionic transistor

Capillary Ionic Transistor: Simple, Cost-Effective, One-Step Procedure

32918 – The Capillary Ionic Transistor (CIT) nanodevice provides control of ionic transport through the nanochannel by gate voltage for use by pharmaceutical companies, medical instruments companies, hospitals, research organizations, microelectromechanical systems companies, and the chemical industry. Nanofluidic devices such as ionic diodes and ionic transistors form key elements in ionic... Read More

The assembled BOD sensor of the present invention

Water Quality Testing in the Palm of Your Hand

30257 – UCF researchers have designed a reliable, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive microfluidic portable water sensor with disposable cartridges—capable of determining microbe growth, chlorine content, purity, or temperature. Microfluidics, or “lab-on-a-chip” technology, is experiencing explosive growth in the fields of chemistry, biology, electronics, and computers. These small devices work... Read More

An exemplary evanescent-mode resonator pressure sensor including a coupling structure

Wireless Ceramic Sensors for Gas Turbines

31879 – Sensitive, real-time monitoring at high temperatures Turbine engines play a prominent role in power generation and aircraft propulsion. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that by 2020, gas turbines will account for 40% of the U.S. power generation industry. Current turbine designs have been limited by the lack of sensors capable of providing reliable, detailed physical and chemical... Read More

Passive Wireless Sensor System Utilizes Piezoelectric MEMS Resonator

33162 – UCF researchers have invented a passive wireless sensor system that includes a piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonator that can be configured to sense one or more physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, viscosity, and mass. This system is complementary metal oxide semiconductor based, which utilizes silicon substrates and fab line processing techniques, and is... Read More