Abstract:
The present invention provides a device with carbon nanotubes wherein the nanotubes (20) are grown vertically onto the substrate surface and in-between the fingers of an interdigital structure. The completed array of conductive interdigitated fingers with a plurality of the vertical carbon nanotubes are then integrated as an interdigital device where this device operates based on the fringing electric field effects. At least two conductive fingers (22) spaced apart act as electrodes of capacitor. A plurality of carbon nanotubes (20) is vertically formed on top of conductive fingers or between conductive fingers. Carbon nanotubes have permittivity which changes according to environment, hence affecting capacitance measured. Different embodiments of device having the nanotubes placed in trench are shown. The carbon nanotube interdigital device can operate as a sensor for application in areas of agriculture, aquaculture, environmental monitoring and biomedical.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a sensor for determining humidity. A humidity sensor (30) comprises of a substrate (32); a bottom membrane (34) positioned above the substrate (32) and a top membrane (36) positioned above the bottom membrane (34) forming a dielectric layer (38); and a plurality of inter-digitated electrodes (40) with changing capacitance in accordance to change in humidity detected by the dielectric layer (38) embedded to the top membrane (36) wherein a plurality of trenches (42) are embedded to the bottom membrane (34) or to the substrate (32) thereby increasing area of exposure to humidity. The present invention also relates to a method for fabricating a humidity sensor.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a humidity sensor device. The humidity sensor device (100) comprises of at least two contact pads (110), a sensing capacitor (120), a reference capacitor (130), and a control circuit (140). The sensing capacitor (120) is an interdigital capacitor and it is divided into at least two sub- capacitors (120a, 120b, 120c, 120n). The control unit (140) determines the number of sub capacitors (120a, 120b, 120c, 120n) to be connected to the contact pads (110) by measuring the capacitance value of the reference capacitor (130) and controlling the switches (124) of the sensing capacitor (120) based on the variation in sensing material thickness of the reference capacitor (130).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to pressure sensor and more particularly self-calibrated miniaturized pressure sensor designed for monitoring applications in automotive, industrial, medical and consumer products. One of the advantages of the present invention is able to detect self-calibration of the pressure sensor at both the initial state of the device or during operation. Another advantage of the present invention is that the self-calibrated miniaturized pressure sensor of the present invention enables the user to know the exact condition of the deformed diaphragm structure to ensure that the measured results are representative of the actual applied external pressure instead of the internal mechanical failure of the diaphragm structure. The present invention further provides a considerable reduction of materials with even greater efficiency and economically during operation.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a piezoresistive pressure sensor which detects applied pressure by measuring the change of electrical conductivity of the magnetic nanoparticles (3) in response to the application of mechanical stress onto the diaphragm (1). The pressure sensor comprises conductive electrodes (2) formed on the diaphragm (1) which is provided on a substrate (4). Magnetic nanoparticles (3) are deposited on the conductive electrodes (2) for electrically connecting the conductive electrodes (2) and changing electrical conductivity when stress is applied.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a capacitive humidity sensor (100) comprising: a semiconductor substrate (101); an insulating layer (103) rests on the semiconductor substrate (101); a sensing membrane (105); a plurality of interdigitated electrodes (107); and a plurality of electrode contacts (109); characterised in that the present invention having ground plane connections (111) and the interdigitated electrodes (107) are sandwiched by the sensing membrane (105). The ground plane connections (111) and the sandwiching sensing membrane (105) are configured to eliminate stray capacitance and to provide optimal utilisation of fringing field effectrespectively.
Abstract:
A novel humidity sensor is described. The capacitive humidity sensor comprises at least two pairs of electrode contact pads (24) spaced apart; and a moisture sensitive film (26) formed around the electrode contact pads. The sensor is characterized in that, at least a pair of metals (28) connect the electrode contact pads to form a pair of l-shaped electrodes of a capacitor, wherein the capacitance measured changes according to humidity. Another sensor embodiment can be formed with contact pads exposed at two side of the moisture sensitive film. A method of fabricating the sensor is also described.