Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sheeraz Athar, Gaurav Patel, Zhengtong Xu, Qiang Qiu, Yu She
Summary: This study presents an innovative robotic finger called VisTac, which combines high-resolution tactile and visual perception in a single device. Using multimodal sensing capabilities, VisTac can accurately locate objects in 3-D space and manipulate them according to tasks.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Zeyu Lu, Haoyong Yu
Summary: This article introduces a robotic hand integrated with tactile sensors to obtain both normal and shear contact force feedback simultaneously. By leveraging distributed forces and acquiring dynamic time-varying rate and tactile events, the complicated coupling relationships during external contact can be perceived. Quantitative evaluation shows high accuracy in recognizing external contact states, and the use of sectionwise features significantly reduces error rates.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tamil Selvan Ramadoss, Yuya Ishii, Amutha Chinnappan, Marcelo H. Ang, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: This study utilized inexpensive atactic polystyrene as the base polymer and fabricated functional fibers using an electrospinning method. A unique pressure sensor fabrication method was proposed and the fabricated pressure sensor demonstrated the generation of an open circuit voltage and integral output charge under applied pressure.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saurabh Khuje, Abdullah Islam, Jian Yu, Shenqiang Ren
Summary: This article presents a flexible and wireless multimodal sensor for temperature, pressure, and flow monitoring, fabricated using low-temperature additive manufacturing of copper nanoplates on elastic polyurethane substrates. The sensor exhibits high sensitivity, capable of detecting small pressures and velocities, and features a self-powered, battery-free system with superior real-time sensing performance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jingyi Zhou, Qi Shao, Chao Tang, Fei Qiao, Tongqing Lu, Xiong Li, Xin-Jun Liu, Huichan Zhao
Summary: This study presents a multiaxis tactile sensor based on a soft anisotropic waveguide, which exhibits high sensitivity and high resistance to overload, and can distinguish normal force and shear force. By embedding two anisotropic units, a multiaxis sensor is formed, and the calibration algorithm achieves the reconstruction of vector forces.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shi Luo, Xi Zhou, Xinyue Tang, Jialu Li, Dacheng Wei, Guojun Tai, Zongyong Chen, Tingmao Liao, Jianting Fu, Dapeng Wei, Jun Yang
Summary: This study explored a flexible piezocapacitive sensor with microstructured graphene nanowalls electrodes and conformally microstructured dielectric layer, achieving ultra-high sensitivity, fast response speed, and broad pressure range. Finite element analysis revealed that the piezoelectric effect of the ZnO film significantly enhanced the sensor's capacitance, and the integration of electrode and dielectric layer improved mechanical stability. The potential applications in robotic tactile perception have been successfully demonstrated due to the outstanding comprehensive performance of the sensor.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
M. Ntagios, Ravinder Dahiya
Summary: This work presents a soft, flexible, and low-cost capacitive pressure-sensitive insole developed using resource-efficient single-step 3D printing method. The insole exhibits excellent pressure response and sensitivity, making it a promising solution for applications such as gait analysis and robotics.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Rob Bogue
Summary: This study provides a detailed insight into new sensor technologies and their potential applications in robotic tactile sensing and navigation. The research effort in tactile sensing and navigation technologies shows promise in enhancing the capabilities of various classes of robots. This research contributes valuable knowledge to the advancement of robotics technology.
INDUSTRIAL ROBOT-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS RESEARCH AND APPLICATION
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Shaoyu Liu, Daohui Zhang, Xin Fu, Liyan Mo, Qile Miao, Rong Huang, Xin Huang, Wei Guo, Yangyang Li, Qingyang Zheng, Ganguang Yang, Kun Bai, Bin Xie, Zhoupin Yin, Hao Wu
Summary: Deep-sea exploration faces challenges posed by extreme hydrostatic pressure, darkness, and suspended sediment. To overcome the hydrostatic pressure challenge, a flexible sensor that simulates deep-sea environments is proposed, which can perform tactile sensing in 50 MPa hydrostatic pressure conditions and has high sensitivity. The sensor is able to accurately classify objects based on their hardness and is expected to be highly valuable in deep-sea exploration.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Liu, Juan Tao, Wenkai Yang, Yufei Zhang, Jing Li, Huilin Xie, Rongrong Bao, Wenchao Gao, Caofeng Pan
Summary: A biodegradable, breathable multilayer pressure sensor with outstanding pressure-sensitive characteristics is presented. It is made of all biodegradable materials, has a three-dimensional porous hierarchical structure, and shows excellent pressure-sensitive characteristics over a wide pressure sensing range with high sensitivity. The sensor can be used for human health monitoring and pressure imaging applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nihal, Rahul Sharma, Navjot Kaur, Mamta Sharma, B. C. Choudhary, J. K. Goswamy
Summary: This study investigates the sensing behavior of pure graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) and silver nanoparticles decorated gCN (Ag-gCN) towards ethanol vapors. XRD, HRTEM, and EDS analysis confirms the successful synthesis of gCN and Ag-gCN. The sensing response of pure gCN is enhanced from 6.67% to 14.87% with the addition of Ag. The response/recovery time is also significantly reduced for Ag-gCN. The sensor exhibits good linearity and stability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wooseok Kim, Doyoung Kim, Jihwan Kim, Sang Uk Park, Hee Kyu Lee, Janghoon Joo, Se Gi Lee, Jeong Woo Chae, Jeonghyun Kim, Seungyong Han, Hyoung Won Baac, Sang Min Won
Summary: This article introduces a pressure sensor made on a mechanically deformable substrate, which is widely used in health monitoring systems, tactile sensors, and human-machine interfaces. By optimizing the geometrical configuration, the sensor can effectively reduce the mechanical distortion caused by non-pressure related stimuli, enabling independent perception of normal force.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jack McAlorum, Marcus Perry, Christos Vlachakis, Lorena Biondi, Brenden Lavoie
Summary: Sensors and new materials can be used to optimize concrete maintenance, justify low carbon structural designs, and address risks associated with manual installation. The demonstration of multifunctional material deposition using robotics in a laboratory setting shows promise for remote, traceable, and low-risk technology deployment in civil engineering sectors, supporting wider adoption of novel concrete health monitoring and repair systems in the future.
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yu-Sheng Tsai, XinDai Lin, Yewchung Sermon Wu, Hsiang Chen, Jung Han
Summary: This study demonstrated the use of ZnO/ZnS nanocomposite-based dual UV light/CO gas sensing devices for the first time, with ZnS/ZnO core-shell rods successfully formed on SiO2 substrates. Incorporating a ZnS shell on ZnO nanorods effectively increased gas sensing and light detection capabilities. The compact size, low cost, and simple fabrication of these ZnO/ZnS NR-based devices make them promising for hazardous gas and light monitoring.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
M. Arjun Hari, Subash Cherumannil Karumuthil, Lintu Rajan
Summary: This comparative analysis explores the performance improvement of PVDF-based piezoelectric tactile sensors through the addition of different nanofillers. Nanoparticles such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and nanosilica were incorporated into PVDF composites to enhance their electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The results showed that the addition of nanofillers led to faster crystallization and stronger interfacial interactions, resulting in the formation of piezoelectric PVDF composites with enriched sensitivity. The fabricated sensors exhibited improved piezoelectric performance, with zinc oxide-incorporated devices showing the highest observed sensitivity of 103 mV/N. Tactile sensors based on these nanocomposites were developed using cost-effective fabrication mechanisms for potential use in prosthetic devices.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anitha Senthamizhan, Brabu Balusamy, Doriana Debellis, Jose Alejandro Heredia-Guerrero, Giorgio Mancini, Riccardo Carzino, Luca Ceseracciu, Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli
Summary: Conversion of waste biomass into functional materials contributes to circular economy and reduces feedstock requirements. This study presents a template-free method to directly convert waste into 3D porous carbon traps, which exhibit efficient adsorption and excellent selectivity.
CLEAN-SOIL AIR WATER
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Sumit Kumar, Antriksh Goswami, Ruchir Gupta, Satya P. P. Singh, Aime Lay-Ekuakille
Summary: In edge computing, app vendors solve the challenge of limited IoT device capacities by renting resources from edge servers and allocating them to app users. They aim to maximize user coverage and minimize edge servers to reduce costs, but must balance this with maintaining Quality of Service (QoS). To address this, we propose a distributed game-theoretic approach that finds the optimal solution using a Pure Nash Equilibrium (PNE). We model the problem as a constrained optimization problem and introduce a User Allocation Game (UAGame) with an Edge Server Allocation (ESA) algorithm to reach PNE. The ESA algorithm's time complexity is reduced through edge server clustering, and it is proven to converge at PNE as it is a potential game.
IEEE INTERNET OF THINGS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Liuyu Gong, Mathias Bonmarin, Fabrizio Spano, Ya Shen, Lin Shen, Guocheng Han, Shanshan Wei, Qihan Zhang, Zhencheng Chen, Feijun Zhao
Summary: The relationship between sweat and blood compositions makes sweat an ideal noninvasive test body fluid for biomarker detection. However, accessing sweat samples is limited, and a continuous, safe, and stable method for sweat stimulation and detection is still lacking. This study presents a nanomaterial-based sweat-stimulating gel for transdermal drug delivery, which effectively stimulates skin sweating. The nanomaterial is applied to an integrated sweat glucose detection device for noninvasive blood glucose monitoring, achieving high sweat evaporation and stable glucose detection.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pietro Cataldi, Pietro Steiner, Mufeng Liu, Gergo Pinter, Athanassia Athanassiou, Coskun Kocabas, Ian A. Kinloch, Mark A. Bissett
Summary: A green textile-based conductor with controllable electrical resistance change with deformation and transiency has been developed using graphene or carbon nanofiber conductive inks, biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol binder, and environmentally friendly solvents. The coating can function as a deformable compliant electrode or a tunable piezoresistor, and withstands bending cycles and washing cycles without losing its electrical conductivity. By altering the material composition and deformation direction, this versatile conductor can serve divergent needs.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivan K. Ilic, Valerio Galli, Leonardo Lamanna, Pietro Cataldi, Lea Pasquale, Valerio F. Annese, Athanassia Athanassiou, Mario Caironi
Summary: Edible electronics is a growing field that aims to produce digestible devices using only food ingredients and additives. The development of fully edible electronic devices could revolutionize gastrointestinal tract monitoring, therapeutics, and food quality monitoring. A rechargeable edible battery, made from common food ingredients and dietary supplements, has been created, providing a power source for small electronic devices. This proof-of-concept battery opens up new opportunities for safer medical diagnostics, treatments, and innovative food quality monitoring.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohammad Reza Shirzad Kebria, Luca Bono, Saeed Khoshhal Salestan, Andrea Armirotti, Riccardo Carzino, Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli
Summary: Due to legislation, long-chain PFASs must be reduced and replaced with short-chain PFASs, which results in the abrupt introduction of short-chain PFASs in the environment. This study explores the use of a chitosan/polyethyleneimine based composite xerogel for the removal of PFBS from water. The study finds that the maximum PFBS adsorption capacity of the xerogel is 305 mg/g within 24 hours, and the adsorption process involves electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bond formations.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Danila Merino, Paolo Bellassi, Uttam C. Paul, Lorenzo Morelli, Athanassia Athanassiou
Summary: Fully bio-based and biodegradable biocomposites were developed for packaging dry foods, using plasticized chitosan blended with hydrolyzed orange peel waste. The films exhibited improved mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties, as well as water resistance. However, the antimicrobial activity of the individual components was lost due to electrostatic interactions. The films also showed high transparency, antioxidant capacity, and fast biodegradability in soil.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Julie Schweitzer, Gautier Schrodj, Alban Florentin, Emmanuel Denys, Loic Vidal, Thierry David, Francois Rouillard, Florence Bally-Le Gall, Fabrizio Spano, Vincent Roucoules, Laurent Vonna
Summary: This article presents a study of the morphology of ultrathin gold and copper coatings thermally evaporated on PDMS. The study utilizes transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for analysis. The results indicate that gold grows as isolated particles following a Volmer-Weber growth mode, while copper more likely grows as a continuous film following a Stranski-Krastanov growth mode. The elastic modulus of PDMS has a negligible role in the morphology of the gold and copper coatings, but significant changes are observed when the metals are evaporated on a PDMS substrate with a higher surface elastic modulus achieved through O2 plasma exposure.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fabrizio Fiorentini, Giulia Suarato, Maria Summa, Dalila Miele, Giuseppina Sandri, Rosalia Bertorelli, Athanassia Athanassiou
Summary: Natural polymers from organic wastes are being considered as potential second raw materials for the design of biomedical devices with specific bioactive functions and environmentally friendly degradation. A plant-based microfibrous scaffold loaded with vitamin C (VitC) was created for wound healing purposes. The scaffold demonstrated bioactivity and antioxidant properties, stimulating collagen production and reducing inflammatory cytokines expression in an in vivo test on a skin UVB-burn mouse model.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jose A. Heredia-Guerrero, Jose J. Benitez, Jose M. Porras-Vazquez, Giacomo Tedeschi, Yandira Morales, Dolores Fernandez-Ortuno, Athanassia Athanassiou, Susana Guzman-Puyol
Summary: In this study, a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride was used to dissolve chitin from shrimp shells, and free-standing films were prepared by blending the chitin solution with glycerol. The films exhibited amorphous molecular structure and improved mechanical response, transparency, and greaseproof behavior. They also showed typical values of other polysaccharides in terms of hydrodynamic and barrier properties. The films complied with European regulations regarding overall migration and demonstrated high antifungal activity and biodegradability.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Valentina Tolardo, Alessio Romaldini, Francesco Fumagalli, Andrea Armirotti, Marina Veronesi, Davide Magri, Stefania Sabella, Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli
Summary: In this study, polycarbonate (PC) nanoplastics (NPs) were formed by laser ablation of solid PC films in water, with the size of the particles depending on the laser energy fluence. The NPs were found to be composed of PC with highly oxidized surface, similar to PC fragments from natural photo-degradation. Additionally, the study revealed cytotoxic effects of the NPs on human hepatocytes, as well as reduction in albumin production, which were attributed to both the NPs and the photo-degradation by-products.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Srinivasa Rao Karumuri, P. Ashok Kumar, Girija Sravani Kondavitee, Aime Lay-Ekuakille
Summary: This paper proposes an approach to accurately evaluate the capacitance developed by the perforated membrane in an RF MEMS switch. A comprehensive analytical model is developed, considering both parasitic and fringing field capacitance in the parallel plate capacitance model. The proposed model incorporates the ligament efficiency directly in the formula, reducing the need for individual calculations for different perforation sizes. The analytical results are validated by comparing them with simulation results using a 3D FEM tool. The proposed model demonstrates lower error percentages (2.13% at upstate and 2.59% at downstate) compared to benchmark models.
IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Amit Choudhary, Savita Ahlawat, Shabana Urooj, Nitish Pathak, Aime Lay-Ekuakille, Neelam Sharma
Summary: The study developed an artificially intelligent model based on a 19-layer deep convolutional neural network called VGG-19 architecture to automatically detect disease states of the retina with a 99.17% classification accuracy. The model was trained on a large dataset of OCT retinal images and classified the retina into four conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Despoina Kossyvaki, Matteo Bustreo, Marco Contardi, Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli
Summary: This study presents the ability of highly porous colorimetric indicators to sense volatile and biogenic amine vapors in real time. The results show that the porous fiber mats loaded with curcumin can detect amine vapors at low concentrations, showing distinct color changes that are reversible. Additionally, the curcumin-loaded fibers demonstrate strong antioxidant activity.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Deepti Sharma, Sachin Kumar, Neeta Singh, Binod Kumar Kanaujia, Satya P. Singh, Aime Lay-Ekuakille
Summary: Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems are becoming popular for powering advanced multifunctional biomedical implantable devices. This article presents a WPT system that includes an antenna array and a rectenna, which is integrated inside an implanted leadless pacemaker's capsule. The system operates in dual bands and has the smallest footprint compared to other implantable rectennas.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT
(2023)
