{"title":"Determination of salt concentration in aqueous solution using an open-ended coaxial line resonator-based microwave sensor","authors":"Min Jiang , Wassana Naku , Shiyu Li","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A metal-post-coupled open-ended coaxial line resonator (OE-CLR) is proposed and demonstrated for measuring salt concentrations in aqueous solutions. The sensor operates based on the perturbation of the fringing electric field at the open end of the resonator caused by the aqueous analyte. Variations in the concentration of the analyte lead to changes in both the dielectric constant and the loss tangent of the material, which can be determined by tracking shifts in the resonance frequency, quality factor, and magnitude at resonance in the device’s spectrum. The sensor’s responses to sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at varying concentrations are demonstrated. Additionally, the potential of harnessing machine learning to analyze the OE-CLR’s spectral response for differentiating between the two salts is explored. The proposed sensor is easy to fabricate, robust, highly sensitive, and the strategy of combining rich spectral data with advanced analytical techniques (e.g., machine learning) opens up possibilities for developing advanced sensors with expanded functionalities, such as measuring individual salts in complex aqueous mixtures for more demanding applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143869275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identification of mixed micro- and nanoparticle suspensions using an opto-microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system with Monte Carlo-based light extinction spectrometry","authors":"Quoc-Thinh Dinh , Shuo-Chih Chien , Hsin-Yu Chuang , Wei-Yu Chen , Chia-Hsiung Cheng , Tien-Li Chang , Yu-Bin Chen , Cheng-Yang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The extinction characteristics of mixed micro- and nanoparticle suspensions with micro-systems are of primary importance in various research fields and industry applications. In this study, light extinction spectrometry on the basis of a Monte Carlo technique is investigated to characterize the mixing ratio and particle radius of monodisperse two-phase suspensions. A series of experimental extinction spectrum measurements for single-phase and two-phase suspensions are operated by an opto-microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system. Subsequently, the optimized genetic algorithm is employed to perform simultaneous inversion of the mixing ratio and radius for two-phase suspensions based on spectral measurements. The results indicate that the inversion errors are < 2 % and < 5 % for single-parameter and multi-parameters of mixed particle suspensions, respectively. It clearly demonstrates the value of the proposed system for simultaneously identifying particle radii and mixing ratio in mixed particle suspension. These findings confirm the effectiveness of our system, which can be used as a mixed particle identification platform for advanced applications such as medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring. It can also be further extended to handle polydisperse and non-spherical particle suspensions for more complex and realistic scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116597"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Raed A. Arishi , Abbas A.M. Alghareeb , Naser M. Ahmed , Siti Azrah Mohamad Samsuri
{"title":"Gold and copper nanoparticles assisted porous silicon for high UV photodetector sensitivity by localized surface plasmonic resonance phenomena","authors":"Raed A. Arishi , Abbas A.M. Alghareeb , Naser M. Ahmed , Siti Azrah Mohamad Samsuri","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study conducts the impacts of surface plasmonic resonance on ultraviolet (UV) photodetector performance that uses gold and copper nanoparticles integrated with porous silicon (PS) substrates, utilizing pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) approach and deposited over the PS substrates. The deposited samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, conducting a thorough analysis of the optical characteristics, crystal structure, and morphological parameters. An assessment of the influence of plasmonic resonance on the photodetector performance was conducted utilizing a Keithley 2400 source analyzer. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics showed Schottky features and a significant rise in current after exposure to UV light. Moreover, the current-time (I-t) characteristics showed enhancement photo-response upon analyzing the performance of the Ag/AuNPs/PS/Ag heterojunctions photodetector, which was found that it exhibited a remarkable sensitivity of 37467.57 %, an optical gain of 376, responsivity of 1.03 A/W, a detectivity of 1.72 × 10<sup>12</sup> Jones, and an equivalent noise power of 5.82 × 10<sup>−13</sup> W, as well as a fast decay time of 20 ms at a bias voltage of 5 V under the UV-light of 370 nm. The findings highlight the substantial impact of plasmonic resonance in metal nanoparticles on the effectiveness of UV photodetectors, suggesting the potential for its utilization as a direct means to increase detector performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116595"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143873543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuxin Zhang , Heng Li , Jincong Feng , Haolei Yan , Jin Xu
{"title":"Integration of GRIN lens in a digital microfluidic spectrophotometer for enhanced on-site environmental analysis","authors":"Yuxin Zhang , Heng Li , Jincong Feng , Haolei Yan , Jin Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmental monitoring plays a crucial role in assessing and managing environmental quality, providing real-time data for decision-making, and ensuring the protection of ecosystems and public health. This study introduces a high-accuracy spectrophotometer for digital microfluidics, designed for on-site testing analysis and offering, with excellent performance in the visible spectrum range. This device features an actuator electrode with an integrated hole and a gradient index lens as a collimator, enabling real-time droplet measurement through a vertical optical path. Employing LEDs matched to the specific absorption wavelengths, the system exhibited good linearity for copper sulfate and auramine O across the visible spectrum. The applicability of the device for determining nitrite and iron in water was validated. The applicability of the device for determining ammonium concentrations in natural water using the indophenol blue method was evaluated. The device demonstrated high stability and accuracy, with results that were consistent with those from a commercial UV-2550 spectrophotometer. A detection limit of 13 μg/L was achieved, indicating the device's sensitivity for ammonium analysis. This device demonstrated excellent stability during the 24-hour on-site monitoring of ammonium concentrations in the Lijiang River. This integrated digital microfluidics platform shows potential as an innovative tool for environmental monitoring, biochemical analysis, and food safety assurance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116598"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143860455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mengnan Tian , Liwei Jiang , Yanchao Chai , Jiali Liu , Zhenglong Lu , Junlin Chen , Xin Zhao , Wei Quan
{"title":"Measurement and suppression of tensor light shift for nonlinear magneto-optical rotating atomic magnetometers","authors":"Mengnan Tian , Liwei Jiang , Yanchao Chai , Jiali Liu , Zhenglong Lu , Junlin Chen , Xin Zhao , Wei Quan","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116562","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the NMOR atomic magnetometer, the tensor light shift is identified as a critical systemic error that affects the accuracy of magnetic resonance frequency measurements. In this paper, we present a tensor light shift measurement and suppression method based on Linear Resonance Frequency Variation and Reverse Magnetic Compensation (LRFV-RMC), which utilizes the resonance frequency linear dependence on the light shift, along with a suppression technique based on reverse magnetic compensation. To further enhance the compensation accuracy and improve the long-term stability of magnetic field measurement, a closed-loop light power control scheme is introduced. The theoretical models of resonant frequency and tensor light shift are established and the mechanism of the influence of light shift on resonance frequency is clarified. Additionally, the light shift and its corresponding magnetic resonance signals are investigated theoretically and experimentally under different light power, polarization direction and magnetic field amplitude. As a result, compared to the existing system, the proposed method effectively compensates for tensor light shift and improves the long-term stability of the magnetic resonance signal by at least 25.8%. This work provides a practical approach to improving the accuracy and stability of NMOR atomic magnetometers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116562"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143869262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kuo Sun , Ting Han , Hao liu , Haiqing Qin , Linqian Han , Guoqiang Tang , Haijun Qiu , Yong Xiang , Xinyu Wang
{"title":"In-situ analysis of image noise in CsPbI2Br perovskite X-ray detectors","authors":"Kuo Sun , Ting Han , Hao liu , Haiqing Qin , Linqian Han , Guoqiang Tang , Haijun Qiu , Yong Xiang , Xinyu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The perovskite X-ray flat panel detector, characterized by its high sensitivity and low dose requirements, is considered a promising candidate for the next generation of X-ray detectors. However, achieving adequate image resolution remains a considerable challenge. In this paper, we employ a spraying process to fabricate a direct X-ray detector with a high-resolution pixel size of 100 × 100 μm². The detector demonstrates excellent performance characterized by low a detection limit of 50 nGy<sub>air</sub> s<sup>−1</sup> and high sensitivity (2222 μC Gy<sub>air</sub><sup>−1</sup> cm<sup>−2</sup>). By employing background image subtraction and median filtering techniques, a clear image is obtained. The photocurrent characteristics of the pixel-level CsPbI<sub>2</sub>Br perovskite device are investigated using in-situ detection techniques. By integrating TFT circuit analysis and electrical simulations, it is concluded that the primary source of image noise originates from fluctuations in photocurrent at the pixel level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116605"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143869263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Byungjin Kwon , Seonghun Pyo , Junryong Eo , Hee-Seon Seo , Yongrae Roh
{"title":"Temperature dependence of the full material constants of [011]-poled Mn-doped 0.32PIN-0.39PMN-0.29PT single crystals, and its effect on the performance of an underwater Tonpilz transducer","authors":"Byungjin Kwon , Seonghun Pyo , Junryong Eo , Hee-Seon Seo , Yongrae Roh","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transducers used actively in sonar systems are subject to prolonged transmission under high voltage, generating significant heat and experiencing temperature variations due to the operating environment. Piezoelectric single crystals exhibit changes in properties due to domain transformations, such as phase transitions, depending on the temperature. These changes affect the electrical and acoustic performance of transducers that use piezoelectric single crystals as active elements. In this study, the material constants of piezoelectric single crystals were derived under various temperature conditions, and the performance variations of transducers incorporating these constants were analyzed to investigate the impact of temperature changes on transducers. To this end, the electromechanical impedance of Mn: PIN-PMN-PT piezoelectric single crystal resonators polarized along the [011] crystal axis was measured at different temperatures. The complete set of physical constants was determined using the resonance method and optimization techniques based on the measured resonance frequency, anti-resonance frequency, and capacitance. The derived material constants were applied to a finite element model of a Tonpilz transducer to analyze the temperature-dependent characteristics of the transducer. Furthermore, a transducer structure insensitive to temperature variations was designed. This approach is expected to prevent the degradation of transducer efficiency and output due to temperature changes, thereby contributing to the performance stabilization of sonar systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116602"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lei Fan , Dong Ma , Zhixin Wu , Lei Zhang , Xiuqing Qian , Yi Liu , Jifeng Ren
{"title":"Sensing surface tension for evaluating circulating tumor cell transiting behaviors at narrow vessels","authors":"Lei Fan , Dong Ma , Zhixin Wu , Lei Zhang , Xiuqing Qian , Yi Liu , Jifeng Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Circulating tumor cell (CTC) transendothelial migration, a process starting from cell adhesion to vessel walls, is a critical process in tumor metastasis such that tumors become hard to be eliminated. Existing studies generally focus on CTC behaviors in normal blood vessels. However, considering the high incidence of tumor in elder population and the elevated vascular diseases predisposition in elderly patients, vascular abnormalities should be taken into account when studying CTC behaviors. Many vascular diseases cause abnormal narrowing of blood vessels, such as thrombosis. On the other hand, tumor cell mechanical properties are serving as label-free biomarkers for evaluating metastatic potential. This study is the first to identify that sensing surface tension could effectively evaluate CTC transiting behaviors in narrow regions, offering valuable insights into their transendothelial migration potential. We employed both finite element method simulations and microfluidic experiments to argue surface tension is a key mechanical biomarker for CTCs transiting around narrow regions. Additionally, we examined the effects of drug treatment on surface tension through sensing single cell surface tension values after Cytochalasin D treatment. We further observed cancer cell transiting behaviors in microfluidic experiments, of which results consist with simulations. Our findings highlight sensing surface tension is a novel and effective way for assessing CTC transendothelial potentials in narrow vessels, which is promising to become a label-free examination method in clinical tumor prognosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116599"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143855801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hung-Yu Lin , Hao-Chien Cheng , Mingching Wu , Mei-Feng Lai , Weileun Fang
{"title":"On the design of a KNN piezoelectric MEMS resonant scanner for wide-angle and high-frequency scanning","authors":"Hung-Yu Lin , Hao-Chien Cheng , Mingching Wu , Mei-Feng Lai , Weileun Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116586","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116586","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study designs and realizes a piezoelectric MEMS scanning mirror with large scan angle and high frequency for high-resolution laser beam scanning displays. In this design, the micro-mirror consists of mirror plate (1.2 mm in diameter), torsional springs, two pair of wing-shaped actuators, and supporting beams. The wing-shaped actuators acts as the pure torque generator to drive the torsional spring and mirror plate with good linearity (since no axial/transverse loads), also confining the energy at torsional-spring and mirror to achieve large scan angle (at the scanning mode). By varying the width of the supporting beam, mode coupling is suppressed, and the maximum stress on the beam during scanning is also reduced. Measurements demonstrate the scanner has an optical scan angle of 70-degree (mechanical scan angle of ± 17.5-degree) at the resonant frequency of 37.7 kHz with a unipolar driving voltage of 20 V. Moreover, no vacuum environment is required for the presented scanning mirror to achieve the above scan angle. In summary, compared with existing scanners, the performance of the presented one is competitive in FOM (optical scan angle (θ) × mirror size (D)) when driving at resonant frequency, which satisfies the requirement of 1080 P.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116586"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dezhao Wang , Shujun Ma , Qingkai Han , Xin Li , Shiliang Wang , Fan Yang , Chen Xue , Zhiwen Wang , Haocheng Zheng
{"title":"Wearable and high-sensitivity sensor based on laser-induced carbonization of polyimide on photographic paper substrate","authors":"Dezhao Wang , Shujun Ma , Qingkai Han , Xin Li , Shiliang Wang , Fan Yang , Chen Xue , Zhiwen Wang , Haocheng Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sna.2025.116592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing production costs are crucial for developing high-performance flexible sensors, especially for applications in wearable electronics and health monitoring. This study presents a straightforward, cost-effective method for fabricating a flexible, photographic paper-based sensor. A laser-induced carbonization (LIC) process is employed on polyimide (PI) tape affixed to the paper surface to create a high-sensitivity, fast-response, multi-parameter flexible sensor capable of detecting bending strain, pressure, and temperature. The corrugated carbon film produced by the LIC process serves as the functional sensing material, while interdigital electrodes are formed by brush-coating conductive silver paste on the paper surface. Electrode masks are created by laser etching the PI tape. The fabricated LIC Paper-Based Sensor demonstrates superior strain sensitivity (<em>K</em>≈187.5) compared to commercial strain gauges, exhibits strong temperature response linearity (R²=0.97773), and shows ultra-short response/recovery times (480 ms/720 ms) to minor pressure changes, with reliable repeatability and stability. Additionally, the sensor’s feasibility for limb movement detection, breathing monitoring, and touch sensing has been verified.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21689,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators A-physical","volume":"390 ","pages":"Article 116592"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}