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| Modern sensors are expected to kill off the existence of traditional ones. Photo: frimufilms/freepik |
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DeepSeek AI's release shook the world and even the stock market. In just a few days, modern Chinese AI won many geek hearts and posed an immediate threat to Chat GPT and other US tech. Though it received a hostile reaction under the geopolitical lens, DeepSeek's rise is not due to it being a product of China. Instead, the barrage of online praises takes root from its modern, logical, and easy-to-use features on top of being an open-source LLM.
On the hardware side, DeepSeek AI can be likened to newer sensors, particularly those that guarantee more safety and efficiency. Like the need for intelligent bots, the demand for sensors continuously expands to different sectors. Thus, various industry requirements drive the evolution of sensors at a far quicker pace than originally anticipated.
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Modern sensors are expected to kill off the existence of traditional ones. As these versions are more compact and can integrate with other modern advancements like nanotechnology and biotechnology, industries will gradually shift to the utilization of devices where these modern sensors exist. Here's a list of known modern sensors to date and their applications.
Microfluidic Sensors
Environmental testing capabilities have to keep up with the growth influenced by digitization within the industry. Thus, it makes sense for chemical testers to equip their laboratories with diagnostic machines that could deliver faster or even real-time results.
Fabricators of machines that provide medical diagnostics use microfluidic sensors to manufacture modern devices that deliver faster and more accurate readings through the use of manipulated fluid flow. Apart from their rapid response, microfluidic sensors only require minimal samples.
Some applications of microfluidic sensors are as follows:
- Monitoring an individual's biofluids to detect health conditions.
- Detecting a chemical's presence in solutions.
- Measure the pressure, flow rate, velocity, and volume of liquids and gasses.
- Detecting airborne contaminants.
Near-Field Communication Sensors
More known as NFC sensors, machines that make use of them allow contactless communication between devices at shorter distances. While their range is more limited compared to Bluetooth devices, NFCs are more secure, and they don't require a power source to work.
The most common applications of NFC sensors include RFID tech on vehicles and wireless POS.
Contemporary NFC sensors, however, are built within machines that perform the following processes:
- Display information on items in logistics areas through tags for more efficient smart shelves.
- NFC sensors can also detect chemicals in human bodies, storage, and the environment.
- Compact NFC sensors are built within PCB assemblies to monitor temperature, humidity, pressure, vibration, and motion during industrial processes.
LiDar Sensors
Automation received a boost from a more sophisticated remote sensing technology. Light Detection and Ranging sensors, more commonly known as LiDar sensors, measure surroundings to create a 3D version of the scanned environment.
LiDar sensors fire lasers on a target area or objects, which will later bounce off to them. The time it takes for the lasers to go back to the sensors is used to measure the dimensions and create a 3D image with higher spatial and depth resolution. These sensors are also a lot faster compared to cameras.
Specific applications for LiDar sensors include:
- LiDar sensor integration with multilayer PCB allows highly accurate distance measurements allowing autonomous vehicles to identify obstacles and avoid collisions at a faster rate.
- LiDar sensors are installed in smart robots to create 3D images.
- Construction firms also use them to survey topography.
- Cases that require an accurate read of surroundings, particularly in extreme situations, as LiDar sensors can adapt to all light conditions.
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Biosensors
Compared to microfluidic sensors, biosensors focus more on biological recognition elements. They use an antibody or an enzyme to recognize an analyte. Then, the biosensor uses a signal transducer that converts the analyte into an electric signal, which a reader device will interpret.
Biosensors are used on the following:
- Detecting microorganisms and markers in bodily fluids like blood, urine, saliva, and sweat that can be causes of a health condition
- Finding and measuring the amount of pollutants in water and soil
- Biosensors help discover new drugs.
- Monitoring food quality, particularly in large-scale production
- Biosensors can monitor health during a pandemic, such as with lateral flow tests
Companies and engineers who want to stay ahead in the field of industrial manufacturing must look into the driving force of the development, particularly of modern sensors. Miniaturization, power efficiency, sustainability, sensitivity, accuracy, and at this age, AI integration, are some of the main things they should look into to create the next world-changing machinery.
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AUTHOR: ANGELO CHONGCO Dynamic PR Specialist, Tech Early Adopter, Toy Collector, Gamer, SEO Writer, & Crypto Enthusiast. Master of diverse trades. Creator of impactful PR campaigns and content that resonate. |
