https://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/Automobiles, computers, medical devices, a staggering array of consumer electronics—these are just a few of the places you'll find sensor technology. Join the Sensors group and stay current on all the latest developments in this key technology.en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/electronics-engineer-builds-a-plfm-open-source-radar-systemWed, 22 Apr 2026 20:03:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a6aa1410-0181-4c5f-aaf4-e3454c8f11c9CatwellNawfal built an affordable and accessible radar system that operates at 10.5 GHz. (Image Credit: Nawfal Motii ) Morocco-based electronics engineer Nawfal developed an affordable, open-source AERIS-10 radar system that combines SDR hardware with a programmable architecture. Nawfal made two versions: AERIS-10N (3 km max. range) and the AERIS-10E (20 km max. range). The phased-array operates at a frequency of 10.5 GHz and uses Pulse Linear Frequency Modulation (PLFM). He says this radar is built for researchers, drone developers, and SDR enthusiasts. So, how does the radar work? It runs through a timed boot and scanning sequence. The STM32 MCU cycles power before waiting for the Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) to thermally stabilize and manage voltage sequencing for the AD9523 clock generator. The microcontroller configures the AD9523, establishing a clock distribution network that synchronizes the FPGA and RF components with precise phase alignment. Afterward, the system initializes the GPS, IMU, barometer, two ADF4382 frequency synthesizers (one to transmit and one to receive), and four ADAR1000 beamforming chips. When an operator presses ‘Start’ in the Python GUI, the interface transmits a handshake packet and radar settings to the STM32 controller. The MCU verifies that the configuration monitors the GPS stream and waits for a lock before sending position data to the GUI. That data is used by the interface to center its map on the radar’s location, providing the operator with spatial context for targets. While the GPS updates, the STM32 reads the IMU and barometer to calculate the pitch, roll, yaw, and altitude. The yaw data instructs the stepper motor to turn the antenna, enabling the scan to start from a known reference direction. Using this configuration ensures the radar’s angular measurement remains consistent. Next, the RF chain enters the phase-coherent operation. The microcontroller sets the two ADF4382 synthesizers, executing a system synchronization step to keep the oscillators aligned. Maintaining this coherence is required for Doppler processing and coherent pulse compression, improving target detection and velocity measurement. The XC7A100T FPGA then handles the fast signal processing. While doing so, it produces chirps, captures echoes, and performs down-conversion (achieve with two LT5552 microwave mixers). Along with that, it applies filtering, pulse compression, Doppler FFT, moving target indication, and CFAR detection before transmitting results to the GUI. Those interested in the project can visit the GitHub page and build their own radar system. However, this will require electronic and mechanical knowledge. To make it more accessible, Nawfal reached an agreement with the Crowd Supply platform to reach a Q3 2026 release. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.diyopenradaropen sourcesensorhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/eth-zurich-engineers-develop-small-magnets-that-achieve-38-and-42-teslaWed, 25 Mar 2026 19:52:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:651a4510-d3e1-4881-b1b6-dfbf0602dab9CatwellSchematic diagram showing the coils for the magnets. (Image Credit: Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz5826 .) High-field magnets, especially those for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) or particle accelerators, are massive, sometimes building-sized. Now, powerful magnets are shrinking. ETH Zurich engineers developed small magnets that can be carried in our hands and are comparable to the strongest ones we see today. They created two types---one generates magnetic fields of 38 tesla and the other 42 tesla. These have a 63-millimeter outer diameter and a 3.1 mm bore. Currently, the strongest magnet is at the Florida-based National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. It runs on 20 MW and achieves 45.5 tesla. Large resistive magnets that require megawatts of power and generate 42 tesla are composed of metal and wound around a cylinder. These also need complex cooling systems. With that in mind, the team put huge amounts of magnetic power in a small, compact space. To achieve this, they used high-temperature superconductors (HTS) tape that conducts significant amounts of energy without resistance once it reaches low temperatures. They wrapped flat Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) tape around disk-shaped pancake coils before placing them on top of each other. This allowed the magnetic field to be confined in a compact space while using less tape than standard designs. Joints that generate heat and waste power are normally used for linking magnets. The team avoided using that method by wrapping the tape in a complete loop, which also allowed electrical flow with minimal energy loss. Without tape insulation between turns, the coils were densely packed. They experimented with both prototype magnets. Supplying them with over 1,000 A of current enabled them to generate 38 and 42 tesla. The ETH Zurich engineers are aiming to deploy this technology to NMR. Magnets like these could pave the way to tabletop systems instead of the massive machines used in facilities. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.modresearchmargnetshmion_campusuniversityhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/device-twists-light-revealing-its-handednessTue, 24 Mar 2026 20:03:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:2e56f2b0-92d4-44f9-a8f9-6c785c12fbd7CatwellHarvard researchers developed a device that differentiates the left-or-right handedness of light. (Image Credit: Mazur group at Harvard SEAS ) Researchers at Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) recently developed a proof-of-concept chip-sized device that controls light chirality. It works by twisting a pair of specially designed photonic crystals. By using an integrated micro-electromechanical system (MEMS), the team can fine-tune the twisted bilayer photonic crystal (TBPhCs) in real time. The team’s invention could pave the way toward sophisticated chiral sensing, quantum photonics, and optical communication. “Chirality is very important in many fields of science – from pharma to chemistry, biology, and of course, physics and photonics,” Eric Mazur, the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, said . “By integrating twisted photonic crystals with MEMS, we have a platform that is not only powerful from a physics standpoint but also compatible with the way modern photonics are manufactured.” The team demonstrated that twisting two photonic crystal layers stacked on top of each other produces a built-in left-right asymmetry. This allows the device to control the handedness of light as it passes through. Their device is also tunable, which means responses to different chiral light types can be adjusted without replacing components. It leverages the bilayer design to achieve this. Placing the photonic crystals close together and twisting them causes the structure to become uniformly chiral. Doing so enables the detection of chiral light. Left- or right-handed light passes through differently when both layers’ optical modes interact strongly or as light hits the surface. A MEMS TBPhCs device allowed the team to adjust the twist angle and interlayer spacing. With this method, they adjusted how the device detects various chiral light modes that approached near-perfect selectivity to determine if light is left- or right-handed. To confirm the optical chirality and response of the MEMS-integrated TBPhCs, the team measured the momentum-resolved transmission spectra with RCP/LCP using a near-infrared camera. A transmission dip appeared at the point associated with the antibonding dipole modes. The circular dichroism (CD) spectrum featured two nearly placed peaks with opposite handedness. Those peaks matched the resonance dips, and the CD extrema spectral positions may not match the transmission minima due to different definitions. “Note that although the non-zero CD values are common in the band structure, the majority of them originate from extrinsic optical chirality that relies on oblique incidence. As we focus on the vertical dashed line indicating the point, the non-zero CD only exists at around, revealing the rarity of intrinsic optical chirality,” the team wrote in the paper. The team believes their device could lead to chiral sensors or light modulators for optical communications that enable on-chip control of light. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.researchfundamentalssensorson_campuslightuniversityharvardsensorinnovationhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/denmark-installs-red-street-lights-helping-with-biodiversityWed, 18 Mar 2026 19:16:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:674fb798-8905-4177-a054-d38e604bc79bCatwellDenmark installed red LEDs in 2022 to help with biodiversity. (Image Credit: Light Bureau ) Engineers design things for interaction, for humans. HMI, GUI, touchscreen, simple buttons and switches. We interpret the world back to us. But, what if we did the same for the rest of the creatures on the planet. Here is one instance I really like. In April 2022, drivers in Denmark saw unusual lighting while driving along Frederiksborgvej in Gladsaxe, a town on Copenhagen’s outskirts. Red lights replaced the traditional blue and white ones everyone’s used to seeing. As part of a pilot project, the LEDs are placed in suburban neighborhoods that meet dense greenery, signaling a targeted effort rather than a citywide redesign. These red lights were installed near a bat colony to reduce the impact of artificial lighting on the nighttime ecosystem. They don’t interfere as much as white LEDs that emit blue wavelengths, which scatter through the air and confuse bats or repel insects away from their feeding zones. The pipistrelle and brown long-eared bat can then travel through the dark corridors to reach their roosting and feeding areas. Meanwhile, the red lights provide enough illumination for the drivers to see the road safely. “Overall, we hope that everyone welcomes the new lighting and that the red light not only has functional value, but also symbolic value. The red light should make passers-by aware that this is a special natural area that we want to protect,” Philip Jelvard, Light Bureau lighting designer, said . This is a real project and part of an international effort to create smarter, greener cities. Called Lighting Metropolis – Green Mobility, the EU-backed program connects municipalities across Denmark and Sweden to experiment with sustainable street lighting. The red LEDs are a real-world test, showing us how they can impact wildlife and energy use. They yield advantages like energy savings compared to sodium lamps. However, these also have downsides, including reduced color perception for drivers. Additionally, this connects efforts to sustainable urban living. According to the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects 2025 , cities now house 45% of the global population, with two-thirds of population growth to 2050 expected in urban settlements. These initiatives prove how interventions can help cities balance human needs with the environment. How soon will we see this in a movie? Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.environmenttransportationnaturehmilightinglightDenmarkbiodiversityearthinnovationhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/researchers-develop-water-based-enzyme-inks-simplifying-the-ebfc-manufacturing-processFri, 13 Mar 2026 19:46:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:56df8bda-96b8-496f-88e2-15d184de2ce9CatwellExample of a skin patch health monitor. (Image Credit: Bing Image Creator) Wearable biosensors are quickly evolving, with smaller devices like flexible skin patches continuously monitoring physiological signals. These analyze sweat to measure metabolites like lactate and glucose but require external batteries, adding bulk and limiting long-term usability. Scientists explored enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) to generate electricity by converting chemicals in body fluids into electrical energy. EBFCs involve complex manufacturing steps, such as printing carbon electrodes, applying enzyme and mediator solutions, and drying the layers. Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science developed water-based enzyme inks that simplify this process by printing the components in one step. Previously, scientists suggested using enzyme inks, which blend carbon materials, enzymes, and mediators into a printable mixture for biofuel cells. However, the formulations were incompatible with industrial screen printing, especially for cathodes. The team solved that issue by creating a water-based ink using high-surface-area mesoporous carbon, electron-transfer mediators, and a polymer binder called POLYSOL that stabilizes the enzyme while sticking to the carbon. Their formulation has a thickener for printing consistency and target enzymes like lactate oxidase, bilirubin oxidase, or glucose dehydrogenase. Using water-based solutions rather than organic solvents allows the ink to preserve enzyme activity while enabling large-scale manufacturing. The team used the enzyme inks to screen print electrodes on lightweight paper substrates in one fabrication step. Electromechanical tests demonstrated that the printed electrodes distributed stronger catalytic currents and improved stability compared to traditional drop-cast electrodes, which lose over half of their activity within minutes to hours. The enzyme-ink electrodes performed consistently over extended use. Assembling it onto a lactate-oxygen biofuel cell enabled the printed electrodes to generate a maximum power density of 165 uW/cm 2 at 0.63 V, higher than the 96 uW/cm 2 for comparable systems. This is a notable achievement as it represents the first-ever screen printing of the cathode using enzyme ink. The device detects lactate levels in sweat within the physiological range of 1-25 mW, making it ideal for monitoring exercise intensity and metabolic activity. The researchers also verified that the generated power is sufficient for supporting Bluetooth Low Energy communication. They demonstrated self-powered wireless monitoring of lactate levels without relying on an external battery. In addition, the team performed a roll-to-roll printing test and produced continuous patterns across 400 meters of substrate. Since the device is fabricated via screen printing, this technique simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional EBFC production. The new streamlined process cuts costs by ten yen per unit, making the technology ideal for disposable or large-scale wearable sensors. Water-based enzyme inks are a scalable and reliable method for producing high-performance EBFCs, leading to flexible, self-powered biosensors. By 2030, the team hopes to implement these biosensors. This gives them enough time to perform device optimizations, ensure long-term validation, and integrate it with wearable platforms. They believe printing companies and healthcare device manufacturers could adopt this technology. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.japanpower generationalternative energyWearablemedicalpowersensorinnovationhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/swot-spots-large-waves-during-major-stormsThu, 12 Mar 2026 14:15:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a2f9458f-9e35-4480-8f6f-837bb2e229fcCatwellStorm Eddie produced an ocean wave that reached 19.7 meters tall. (Image Credit: ESA /Planetary Visions) Ocean waves that grow to over twenty meters could threaten maritime safety, offshore infrastructure, and coastal communities. However, measuring the maximum height of these waves remains challenging due to the scarcity of direct measurements in remote storm centers. During storm Eddie on December 21, 2024, NASA and France’s Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite detected a wave that grew to 19.7 meters as it peaked in the North Pacific. Researchers relied on twenty months’ worth of data (April 2023 to December 2024) to track swells produced by Eddie and other major storms. By analyzing this long-term dataset, they demonstrated how wave echoes store storm energy, thereby allowing for indirect sizing of peak conditions thousands of miles away. As a result, the observed swells evolved over 14,000 miles, moving from the North Pacific core to the Drake Passage and tropical Atlantic. The analysis of spectral peaks revealed dominant wavelengths stretching from approximately 500 m near the storm to over one mile as the distance increased. Notably, previous models had estimated rogue waves up to 35 meters, even in the absence of super hurricanes. SWOT uses its KaRIn radar interferometry to map sea-surface height across wide ocean swaths. KaRIn transmits Ka-band radar pulses toward the ocean surface, measuring phase differences between signals received by two antennas spaced 10 meters apart on a 15-meter boom. This results in 250-meter resolution maps. Such high resolution is sufficient for imaging swells longer than 500 meters (periods over 18 seconds) that cover two 31-mile-wide strips on both sides of the satellite track. The team used 2D Fourier transforms with the elevation maps, transforming spatial patterns into swell spectra. These reveal wavelength, direction, and energy for each swell system. Tracing swell height decays and wavelength stretches over distance allowed the team to apply deep-water wave theory. Group velocity is associated with period to distance traveled. Meanwhile, energy preservation corresponds to observed power based on the storm’s peak conditions. They also measured storm wave heights using nonlinear wave models that represent the energy shifting from short, steep waves to long swells. This corrected older formulas with inflated long-wave energy by a factor of 20. The Poseidon 3C nadir altimeter revealed a 19.7-meter storm wave height at the center of Storm Eddie, verifying the estimates from swell analysis. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.sensorsweathersatelliteearthsensorinnovationhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/f/forum/56748/where-can-i-buy-snap-connection-electrode-in-mumbai/234286Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:50:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:b81bc73c-5bcc-4e9d-a04d-f520d18d54e7rsjawale24Go to Lamington road in Mumbai and show the photo to any of the shops, they will guide you on which shop stocks the part.https://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/f/forum/56748/where-can-i-buy-snap-connection-electrode-in-mumbai/234270Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:50:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a0cdaa05-8233-4886-9d1c-983c14cc3255manojroy123Thanks I like the rivet system of using the clothing Pin. Very helpful of you of sharing the information.https://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/f/forum/56748/where-can-i-buy-snap-connection-electrode-in-mumbai/234269Sat, 07 Mar 2026 19:06:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e4abaafd-b936-42ec-8fa9-ebe98db49cbcshabazAny local clothing repair/sewing store should be able to provide those. Normally sewn or riveted, but could probably be soldered with some effort.https://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/f/forum/56748/where-can-i-buy-snap-connection-electrode-in-mumbaiSat, 07 Mar 2026 13:13:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:2a7cfc86-1dd5-4a1c-a687-63976af147d7manojroy123Where Can I buy snap connection electrode in mumbai. Bellow is the given electrode link. I wan't to solder it on PCB. Please share some link. https://www.cngoochain.com/product/electrode-pin-to-snap-connect-adapters-tens-lead-wire-adapters-2mm-pin-to-35mm-39mm-snap-connector.html Please also check the link bellow. www.sparkfun.com/myoware-2-0-muscle-sensor.htmlsensorhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/transatlantic-tat-8-fiber-optic-cable-is-being-removed-from-the-seabedFri, 06 Mar 2026 20:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:2e99c0fb-7c26-431c-85b3-4a06fe57b109Catwell(Image Credit: pixabay ) For over twenty years, the Trans-Atlantic Telephone 8 (TAT-8) cable sat on the ocean floor in its out-of-operational-use state. Now, SubSea Environmental Services is pulling it from the seabed close to Portugal. The world’s first fiber-optic cable became operational on December 14, 1988, and retired in 2002 after 14 years of use, when a fault made it too expensive to repair. TAT-8 reached full capacity within 18 months, setting a precedent for other major undersea cables. SubSea Environmental Services is using the new diesel-electric MV Maasvliet vessel to recover the cable. However, the crew couldn’t retrieve as much cable as they anticipated as the early hurricane season veered the ship off course. Due to the glass fibers’ fragility, the fiber-optic cable must be manually laid in the ship’s hold rather than being mechanically coiled. Developed through the mid-1980s by AT&T, British Telecom, and France Telecom, the TAT-8 represented a transitional mark from copper coaxial to optical technology. Spanning 3,700 miles from Tuckerton, New Jersey, it connected to Widemouth Bay, UK, and Penmarch, France, via an underwater branching unit off the British coast. To support this, AT&T introduced developments for the cable, such as the 1.3-micron single-mode fiber, high-strength splicing, lasers/detectors, and 280 Mbps silicon repeaters placed 24 miles apart. In total, the project cost between $335 million and $351 million to complete. It overcame challenges, including corrosive saltwater, precise splicing at sea, and extreme pressures, before being deployed in the ocean. Its repeaters were pressure-tested at depths of 8,000m, and fibers were engineered 10 times stronger than land variants for tension resistance during laying. Lastly, opto-electric regenerators reduce hardware requirements by 75% compared to copper-based cables, utilizing compact lasers every 40-50 km instead of bulky analog amplifiers. This setup achieved 40,000 simultaneous voice circuits on two fiber pairs, with the US segment host to an extra pair. While TAT-8 transmitted data over glass fibers, it has recyclable materials like steel and polyethylene for fences and plastics. Plus, it contains high-grade copper in the power conductors and armoring. Copper supply is tightening , so recovering and recycling it for different purposes rather than leaving it on the ocean floor makes more sense. Abandoning the cable down there poses a risk of snagging fishing gears, trawlers, or ship anchors, potentially damaging vessels or entangling marine life. We also need to keep the ocean floor clear for new cables. As it stands, unused, old cables extend millions of miles. Getting rid of them frees up space, allowing new systems to reuse those routes while leaving the surrounding seabed untouched. This ensures the installation is a safe and smooth process. Google, telecom consortia, and Meta have invested billions into new cables, with some, like Google’s Firminia 1 , Apricot , and Nuvem , expected to complete this year. Meta-led Project Waterworth plans to construct the world’s longest subsea fiber-optic cable using 24 fiber pairs at 30,000+ miles long that spans five continents. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.fiberoptichistoryconnectivitycommunicationtransatlantichttps://community.element14.com/technologies/sensor-technology/b/blog/posts/researchers-create-the-world-s-smallest-qr-codeWed, 25 Feb 2026 08:42:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:ae261816-2351-4572-b393-ef83116a7eebCatwellThe smallest QR code is 1.98 square micrometers and can only be seen under an electron microscope. (Image Credit: TU Wien ) TU Wien recently collaborated with Cerabyte, a data storage company, to create the smallest QR code measuring just 1.98 square micrometers. Even the Guinness World Records verified and recognized this achievement. In the future, the technology could be utilized for long-term data storage. While standard magnetic or electronic data storage systems last a few years, writing data bit by bit into ceramic materials can extend the lifespan by centuries or millennia. To make the tiny, stable QR code, the team had to select the right material. "We conduct research on thin ceramic films, such as those used for coating high-performance cutting tools," explain Erwin Peck and Balint Hajas, who played key roles in achieving the world record. "For high-performance tools, it is essential that materials remain stable and durable even under extreme conditions. And that is exactly what makes these materials ideal for data storage as well." The researchers carved the QR code onto an ultra-thin ceramic layer with focused ion beams. Each square in the pattern measures only 49 nanometers across, an order of magnitude smaller than visible light wavelengths. This means the structure can’t interact with light to reveal its form, making it undetectable to optical microscopes. Under an electron microscope, the tiny features become visible, allowing viewers to read the QR code. Testing the tiny QR code, which was made by focusing ion beams on a ceramic-based material. (Image Credit: TU Wien ) Their technique achieves an extraordinary storage density. For example, the surface area of an A4 sheet of paper could hold over two terabytes of data. Compared to standard storage media, ceramic-based data structures do not require power or cooling to maintain the stored data. In addition, the information is physically embedded in the material, ensuring long-term durability. "With ceramic storage media, we are pursuing a similar approach to that of ancient cultures, whose inscriptions we can still read today," says Alexander Kirnbauer. "We write information into stable, inert materials that can withstand the passage of time and remain fully accessible to future generations." The record-setting demonstration, which includes retrieving data with an electron microscope, was performed by TU Wien and Cerabyte. The University of Vienna validated the results as an independent authority. After review, Guinness certified the achievement. This tiny QR code occupies 37% of the area of the previous record holder. "The now confirmed world record marks just the beginning of a very promising development," says Alexander Kirnbauer. "We now aim to use other materials, increase writing speeds, and develop scalable manufacturing processes so that ceramic data storage can be used not only in laboratories but also in industrial applications. At the same time, we are investigating how more complex data structures—far beyond simple QR codes—can be written robustly, quickly, and energy-efficiently into ceramic thin films and read out reliably." The team believes their achievement may pave the way toward a more climate-friendly future, in which data is stored permanently, securely, and without consuming a lot of energy. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.qrmicro-scaleresearchtu wienon_campusuniversityinnovation