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2018 | Buch

Sensors and Microsystems

Proceedings of the 19th AISEM 2017 National Conference

herausgegeben von: Dipl.-Ing. Alessandro Leone, Dr. Angiola Forleo, Dr. Luca Francioso, Dr. Simona Capone, Dr. Pietro Siciliano, Prof. Corrado Di Natale

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering

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SUCHEN

Über dieses Buch

This book showcases the state of the art in the field of sensors and microsystems, revealing the impressive potential of novel methodologies and technologies. It covers a broad range of aspects, including: bio-, physical and chemical sensors; actuators; micro- and nano-structured materials; mechanisms of interaction and signal transduction; polymers and biomaterials; sensor electronics and instrumentation; analytical microsystems, recognition systems and signal analysis; and sensor networks, as well as manufacturing technologies, environmental, food and biomedical applications. The book gathers a selection of papers presented at the 19th AISEM National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems. Held in Lecce, Italy in February 2017, the event brought together researchers, end users, technology teams and policy makers.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Physical Sensors

Frontmatter
Integrable Sensor System for Live Monitoring of Loudspeaker Performances

We here present a dedicated system capable of compensating loudspeaker distortion due to driver working condition or apparatus aging. The proposed monitoring system is formed by a reduced number of sensors that monitor the loudspeaker by a digital signal processing architecture (DSP) which performs a feedback to the loudspeaker amplifier so balancing its gain. All the sensors are designed to not interfere with output sound quality.

Gianluca Barile, Giuseppe Ferri, Alfiero Leoni, Mirco Muttillo, Vincenzo Stornelli, Marco Caldari, Marco Palombini, Franco Ripa
Re-configurable Switched Capacitor Sigma-Delta Modulator for MEMS Microphones in Mobiles

This paper presents a reconfigurable discrete-time audio Sigma-Delta modulator implemented in 0.18-µm CMOS technology. The 600 µm × 400 µm core area SD modulator is based on a 2 + 2 MASH architecture, and features several different operating modes in which noise-shaping order, number of output word bits, sampling rate, and bandwidth can be programmed ad hoc. By design, the power consumption is minimized for the selected operating mode. The achieved performance ranges from 99-dB DR with 4th-order noise shaping and full standard audio bandwidth, while consuming 0.97 mW down to 85-dB DR with second order noise shaping over reduced bandwidth for vocal control operation, while consuming 100 µW. The developed device can be used either to read-out different sources (microphones) or to operate in different modes within the same system (i.e. with the same microphone in different scenarios). The trade-off between performance and re-configurability is the key element of this work.

M. Grassi, F. Conso, G. Rocca, P. Malcovati, A. Baschirotto
A Low Cost Inclinometer with InkJet-Printed Resistive Readout Strategy

This paper deals with the prototyping and a preliminary characterization of an InkJet-Printed inclinometer. The developed sensor consists of a thin flexible beam, clamped to a rigid support, with a printed strain gauge to exploit the resistive readout strategy. The voltage at the output of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, where the printed strain gauge is connected, reflects the tilt to be measured. Advantages of the proposed approach are mainly related to the adopted low cost direct printing technology, which allows for the realization of cheap and customizable devices.

Bruno Andò, Salvatore Baglio, Vincenzo Marletta, Antonio Pistorio
Dual Wavelength Botda for Strain/Temperature Discrimination

The sensitivity of Brillouin Frequency Shift (BFS) to strain and temperature has been studied in a bending-loss insensitive fiber (BIF), at two different wavelengths (850 and 1550 nm). The results show that the ratio between strain sensitivity at the two wavelengths is different from the ratio between temperature sensitivity, which can be conveniently used for simultaneous and distributed measurement of the two parameters using a single sensing element. Experimental results, carried out at 1-m spatial resolution, demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.

A. Minardo, E. Catalano, A. Coscetta, L. Zeni
Electrical Characterization of Microstrip Resonators Based on Nanostructured Sensing Materials

In this paper is reported the development of microstrip resonators working in the frequency range of 3–6 GHz and their employment in the investigation of the sensing properties of nanostructured materials towards gas. The materials are deposited as films on the gap of the resonators by drop coating aqueous solutions of Ag@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite having a core–shell structure. Here are reported sensing data about humidity monitoring in the range from 0 to 70%. The increase of humidity value brings to a large frequency shift of the resonance one. The good characteristics of the fabricated device suggest its promising use as humidity sensor.

G. Gugliandolo, A. Mirzaei, M. Bonyani, G. Neri, M. Latino, N. Donato
Graphene Decoration for Gas Detection

A comparison among the gas sensing properties of pristine graphene and graphene decorated with noble metal nanoparticles is herein investigated. Pristine graphene sheets are realized using the Liquid Phase Exfoliation method; noble metal decoration (namely platinum and palladium) is performed by a facile one-step chemical procedure which relies on the reduction of metal precursor salts directly onto graphene surface. All the materials have been employed as chemical sensing layer in a conductometric structure and tested towards some key analytes of interest for environmental monitoring, namely NO2, NH3 and H2. The device based on pristine graphene exhibits a specific response to NO2, whereas the device based on palladium-decorated graphene is more sensitive towards hydrogen. The third typology of device, based on graphene functionalized with platinum, shows a poorly selective behaviour. Unexpectedly, thanks to the remarkable stability of the material, this apparent drawback can be profitably exploited and overcome by integrating the sensing devices into an array, which enables to discriminate hydrogen from ammonia.

Brigida Alfano, Ettore Massera, Maria Lucia Miglietta, Tiziana Polichetti, Chiara Schiattarella, Girolamo Di Francia
(002)-Oriented AlN Thin Films Sputtered on Ti Bottom Electrode for Flexible Electronics: Structural and Morphological Characterization

Aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films were deposited by sputtering on Ti bottom electrodes and integrated on a kapton substrate for flexible and stretchable electronics. The aim of this work was to find the best combination of Ti underlayer sputtering conditions and AlN over-growth to obtain the (002) nitride orientation, fundamental requirement for the piezoelectric response of the material in piezoelectric devices. Flexible electronics represent today’s cutting-edge electronic technologies thanks to their low cost and easy fabrication scalability.

A. Taurino, M. A. Signore, M. Catalano, M. Masieri, F. Quaranta, P. Siciliano

Chemical Sensors

Frontmatter
Detection of Tumor Markers and Cell Metabolites in Cell Cultures, Using Nanostructured Chemoresistive Sensors

Nowadays, tumor markers detection is one of the most dynamic field of research for medical technologies, as it seems a reliable source of screening technologies able to both detect neoplasms before their degeneration into malignant forms, and monitor possible relapses after the main cancer removal. On the other hand, studying neoplastic cell cultures behaviour, and their vitality in real time, places problems given to the high proliferation rate of the tumor cells. In this work, nanostructured chemoresistive sensors, sensing unit able to detect volatile chemicals in concentrations up to part per billions, have been used to detect neoplastic markers, with the idea to develop a technology able to follow in real time cell cultures and neoplasms growth, for both research and application in the medical field.

N. Landini, B. Fabbri, A. Gaiardo, S. Gherardi, V. Guidi, G. Rispoli, M. Valt, G. Zonta, C. Malagù
Fish Robot Based on Chemical Sensors for Water Monitoring

In this work, we present a bio-inspired fish robot capable of swimming according to the directives sent in form of chemical messengers. An electrochemical platform measured the hydrogen concentration in the water. The acquired signal was then transformed into electronic signal to be used in robot control electronics. The fish robot’s tail movement was thus controlled from pH electrochemical sensors.

Giovanna Marrazza, Andrea Ravalli, Claudio Rossi
QCM Sensors Based on In2O3 Nano-films Obtained by a Pulsed Plasma Deposition Technique

In this paper Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) gas sensors obtained depositing nano-films of In2O3 over AT-cut 10 MHz resonators are presented. Films are grown by a Low-Temperature Pulsed Electron Deposition (LTPED), a single-stage growth technology by which films can be deposited on a variety of different substrates Rampino et al. (Appl Phys Lett 101(13):132107, 2012 [1]) down to a few nms thickness, allowing for maintaining large quality factors of the quartzes and for realizing very stable oscillators. The gas sensing performance of these devices are studied by means of experiments with a toxic gas, NO2, water vapor and ethanol. The effect of UV irradiation on the sensor response is also studied. The sensors provide stable and repeatable measurements, a large response to water vapor, and respond reversibly to NO2.

Tommaso Addabbo, Andrea Baldi, Mara Bruzzi, Ada Fort, Marco Mugnaini, Valerio Vignoli
Electrocatalytic Activity of α-MoO3 Plates Synthesized Through Resistive Heating Route

Characterization and electrochemical application of α-MoO3 hierarchical plates achieved through direct resistive heating of molybdenum foils, at ambient pressure and in absence of templates or catalysts, has been reported. The plates with an orthorhombic single-crystalline structure, as observed by SEM, TEM, SAD and Raman-scattering techniques. They are about 100–200 nm in thickness and a few tens micrometers in length. Electrochemical characterization of α-MoO3 plates casted on Pt electrodes was performed by Cyclic Voltammetry in phosphate buffer to investigate the properties of this material against methanol oxidation. Reported results indicate that α-MoO3/Pt devices were suitable to promote the electroxidation of methanol in sensing and/or fuel cell anodes development applications.

Emanuela Filippo, Daniela Chirizzi, Francesca Baldassarre, Marco Tepore, Maria Rachele Guascito, Antonio Tepore
A New Resonant Air Humidity Sensor: First Experimental Results

In this paper, first experimental results obtained on a new resonant humidity sensor are presented. The resonant sensor is made of a piezoelectric material coated with a hygroscopic material, therefore able to adsorb the water molecules contained in the surrounding air. The adsorbed water increases the sensitive layer mass, thus varying the sensor resonance frequency. The sensor is included in an electronic oscillator that tunes its oscillating frequency with the sensor resonance frequency. The output voltage signal is sampled and processed by a microcontroller in order to measure the resonance frequency. By relating the device resonance frequency to the amount of water adsorbed by the polymeric layer, an accurate air humidity measurement can be obtained.

Nicola A. Lamberti, Monica La Mura, Pasquale D’Uva, Nicola Greco, Valerio Apuzzo

Biosensors

Frontmatter
Food Allergen-IgE Impedance Measurements Evaluation in Allergic Children

We propose a new strategy for the evaluation of the interaction between IgE proteins and allergens in allergic subjects by impedance measurements. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in leukocyte subpopulations from non-allergic and allergic children was evaluated. On the basis of our results, these new approaches show advantages in terms of diagnostic efficacy with respect to traditional UNICAP and prick skin tests, which are commercially available nowadays. Here we describe in detail the instrument for impedance evaluation and the measurement protocols, defining univocally, in this way, the overall measurement technique.

Simona Barni, Tommaso Addabbo, Ada Fort, Matteo Becatti, Claudia Fiorillo, Marco Mugnaini, Niccolò Taddei, Valerio Vignoli, Elio Novembre, Francesca Mori
Enhancement in PDMS-Based Microfluidic Network for On-Chip Thermal Treatment of Biomolecules

In this paper, we present an improved microfluidic network based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and thin film heaters for thermal treatment of biomolecules in lab-on-chip systems. It relies on the series connection of two thermally actuated valves, at both inlet and outlet of the network, in order to reduce leakage of sample when its process temperature approaches 100 °C. The spatial arrangement of valves and microfluidic channels in between has been optimized using COMSOL Multiphysics, through the investigation of the system thermal behavior. Taking into account the simulation results, the geometries of the heaters have been defined following standard microelectronic technologies and the microfluidic network has been fabricated by soft lithography. The experiments demonstrate that with the proposed configuration the liquid evaporation is strongly reduced since more than 80% of the sample is recovered after a practical thermal treatment experiment.

G. Petrucci, N. Lovecchio, M. Nardecchia, C. Parrillo, F. Costantini, A. Nascetti, G. de Cesare, D. Caputo
A Continuous Flow Microelectrophoretic Module for Protein Separation

In this paper, we are presenting the development of a microfluidic electrically driven SPLITT (Split flow thin fractionation) device, which can be used for online protein separation. The microfluidic network is realized by means of a three times laminated structure (thermo-compression lamination) of a thin dry film, Ordyl SY 355, which is patterned through a photolithographic technique. The device has been tested with a Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) solution, through absorbance measurements with a spectrophotometer, with best achieved separation at the outlet of 40%, measured as relative concentration unbalance at output channels.

A. Capuano, A. Adami, V. Mulloni, L. Lorenzelli
Thrombin Aptamer-Based Biosensors: A Model of the Electrical Response

Aptamers are target specific single stranded DNA, RNA or peptide sequences having the ability to bind a variety of proteins, molecules and also ions. Aptasensors, sensors based on aptamers, are at the frontier of sensing technology, mainly in diagnosis and therapy. They appear to be competitive with traditional sensors due to the possibility of detecting and measuring very low concentrations of many different ligands, whose detection and quantification are usually complex, expensive and time-consuming. In this paper we report about a thrombin aptasensor, able to resolve concentrations in a range of 6 orders of magnitude, and provide the microscopic interpretation of its electrical response on the basis of a single macromolecule approach. This investigation has been performed in the framework of an emerging branch of electronics devoted to proteins and living matter, also known as proteotronics.

Eleonora Alfinito, Lino Reggiani, Rosella Cataldo, Giorgio De Nunzio, Livia Giotta, Maria Rachele Guascito
Chloramphenicol Determination by New Immunosensor Using Two Different Competitive Formats

In the present research has been performed the analysis of Chloramphenicol in bovine milk and rivers water samples, by a new immunosensor using two different competitive formats, one in which the antibody was immobilized on the membrane superimposed to the electrode, the other in which the antigen was immobilized on the membrane. In both cases satisfactory results were obtained, but from an analytical point of view the first format shown better features.

Elisabetta Martini, Mauro Tomassetti, Riccardo Angeloni, Maria Pia Sammartino, Luigi Campanella
Numerical Results on the Exploitation of Gold Nanostructures in Plastic Optical Fibers Based Plasmonic Sensors

The use of Nanostructured SPR sensors on Plastic Optical Fibers opens new challenges, because in an SPR sensor made by a continuous metal layer, the sensor’s response is basically related to the metal properties at optical frequencies and to the waveguide characteristics. On the other hand, when a Nanostructured SPR sensor is used, the behavior is also related to the geometric parameters of the Nanostructures. Working on them it is potentially possible to tune the sensor’s behavior. In this work the Authors present a numerical investigation in order to evaluate the behavior of two different SPR Nanostructured platforms, made by “long” gold Nanorods, and comparing them to an SPR sensor with a continuous gold layer. The difference between these two Nanostructured platforms is the orientation of the Nanorods, with respect to the light’s propagation direction. The numerical results seem to indicate an increase of the sensitivity, when an SPR Sensor with long Nanorods is used, with respect to the sensor made by a continuous gold film, with some benefits.

N. Cennamo, F. Mattiello, P. A. S. Jorge, R. Sweid, L. De Maria, M. Pesavento, L. Zeni

Optical Sensors

Frontmatter
Design of an Evanescent Waveguide Sensor Based on a-Si:H Photodiodes for Lab-on-Chip Applications

Here we present the design of an amorphous silicon photodetector integrated with an ion-exchanged waveguide on the same glass substrate in order to obtain an evanescent waveguide sensor for on-chip biomolecular recognition in Lab-on-Chip applications. We studied the behaviour of a monochromatic light in a channel waveguide and its coupling into the thin-film sensor, using COMSOL Multiphysics. Simulations show that the presence of the photodiode’s insulation layer and transparent electrode strongly affects the coupling efficiency between the waveguide and the sensor.

Alessio Buzzin, Rita Asquini, Domenico Caputo, Giampiero de Cesare
Optoelectronic System-on-Glass for On-Chip Detection of Fluorescence

In this paper, we present an optoelectronic system-on-glass (SoG), suitable for detection of fluorescent molecule. It integrates, on the same glass substrate, an array of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photosensors and a thin film interferential filter. The system can be directly coupled with another glass substrate hosting a polydimethylsiloxane based microfluidic network where the fluorescent phenomena occur. The compatibility of the different technological steps to attain on the same glass substrate the photosensors and the filter determined the sequence, the selection of materials and the deposition parameters of the whole process. The electro-optical characterization of the photodiode, performed after the filter deposition, demonstrated the efficacy of the filter in reducing the excitation light. The system has been successfully tested using the ruthenium complex [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+, a fluorescent dye which works as DNA intercalating molecule.

N. Lovecchio, F. Costantini, M. Nardecchia, G. Petrucci, M. Tucci, P. Mangiapane, A. Nascetti, G. de Cesare, D. Caputo
Optical Detection of Antioxidant Capacity in Food Using Metal Nanoparticles Formation. Study on Saffron Constituents

A simple metal nanoparticles (MNPs) based colorimetric assay for the antioxidant capacity of Saffron polyphenolics is proposed. The proposed method has been compared with the commonly used classical assays (FC and ABTS); a significant similar response trend was found with the ABTS. Additionally, it was also found that the proposed approach was polyphenols selective versus other endogenous antioxidants as safranal and crocin.

Flavio Della Pelle, Annalisa Scroccarello, Aida Santone, Dario Compagnone

Applications

Frontmatter
A Multicenter Survey About Companion Robot Acceptability in Caregivers of Patients with Dementia

In the frame of the European Community funded MARIO, caregivers of 139 dementia patients were recruited in National University of Ireland (NUIG), in Geriatrics Unit of IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”-Italy (IRCCS) and in Alzheimer Association Bari-Italy (AAB) for a multicenter survey on to determine the needs and preferences of caregivers for improving the assistance of dementia patients, and guiding technological development of MARIO. A six minute video on technological devices and functions of MARIO was showed, and all caregivers fulfilled a 43-item questionnaire that explored four areas: (A) Acceptability, (B) Functionality, (C) Support devices, and (D) Impact. Caregivers declared that to facilitate acceptance (over 17.5%) and to improve functionality of MARIO (over 29%) should be important/likely/useful. Over 20.3% of caregivers reported that following support devices in MARIO could be useful for their patients: (1) for monitoring bed-rest and movements, (2) for monitoring the medication use, (3) for monitoring the ambient environmental conditions, (4) for regulating heating, humidity, lighting and TV channel, (5) for undertaking comprehensive geriatric assessment, (6) for link to care planning, (7) for monitoring physiological deterioration, and (8) for monitoring cognitive deterioration. Over 21.8% of caregivers declared that MARIO should be useful to improve quality of life, quality of care, safety, emergency communications, home-based physical and/or cognitive rehabilitation programs, and to detect isolation and health status changes of their patients. MARIO is a novel approach employing robot companions, and its effect will be: (1) to facilitate and support persons with dementia and their caregivers, and (2) reduce social exclusion and isolation.

Grazia D’Onofrio, Daniele Sancarlo, James Oscar, Francesco Ricciardi, Dympna Casey, Keith Murphy, Francesco Giuliani, Antonio Greco
Breath-Printing of Heart Failure in Elderly

Comorbidity represents a confounding factor in exhaled breath analysis, in particular with elderly population, which often shows both respiratory and heart diseases. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the first cause of hospitalization and a primary cause of death and disability in the elderly population. CHF has important metabolic implications, thus exhaled VOCs analysis may support CHF severity assessment and CHF discrimination against controls. VOCs pattern in CHF has not been yet investigated so far, even if an increase in acetone and pentane has been observed. Here, breathprint based CHF diagnosis and severity classification have been studied. Moreover, studying an elderly population, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients have been enrolled, being COPD an important comorbidity in aged population.

A. Zompanti, P. Finamore, C. Pedone, M. Santonico, S. Grasso, F. R. Parente, G. Ferri, V. Stornelli, D. Lelli, L. Costanzo, R. Antonelli Incalzi, G. Pennazza
Active Sensors/Actuators-Based Flow and Noise Control for Aerospace Applications

The present work introduces a method for flow and noise control using plasma actuation. The Single Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator (SDBDPA) device is object of study. A discussion of potential applications in flow and noise control in aerospace field is initially done. Then experimental results on separation control applications are presented. The investigated SDBDPA was manufactured by means of photolithographic technique. Particular attention was paid in materials selection because of possible degradation in plasma environment. The device separation control authority was investigated locating it on a curved plate with a shape designed to reproduce the suction surface of a low pressure turbine (LPT) rotor blade. The changes in the device performances with aging were quantified by monitoring in time the actuator power consumption. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images on the new and used device were also used to complement the investigation.

Maria Grazia De Giorgi, Elisa Pescini, Antonio Suma, Maria Assunta Signore, Luca Francioso, Chiara De Pascali, Antonio Ficarella
Wireless Smart Parking Sensor System for Vehicles Detection

The proposed paper shows a novel and feasible solution for the realization of a smart-parking system. The proposed parking sensor circuit represents a robust and low cost solution for the automotive market to perform parking operations faster and simpler. The sensing strategy is based on both the electromagnetic coupling with the car platform and on an innovative dedicated algorithm implemented in a digital sensor interface for data acquisition and manipulation.

V. Stornelli, G. Ferri, M. Muttillo, L. Pantoli, A. Leoni, G. Barile, D. D’Onofrio, F. R. Parente, T. Gabriele
Heat Sink Free Wearable Thermoelectric System with Low Startup Voltage, High Efficiency DC–DC Converter

Thermoelectric energy harvesting represents a promising approach to partially or totally supply ultra-low power wearable devices, by using the human body heat as energy source. Few works were published on wearable and truly ready-to-use TEGs. The work presented in this contribute proposes development and assessment of operational properties of a system composed by a flexible heat sink free thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a DC–DC ASIC converter with 80 mV start-up input voltage. For a first functional investigation, a prototype of 45 thermocouples into a footprint area of about 2.2 × 10−3 m2 was fabricated and tested to evaluate its thermoelectric performance stand-alone and coupled with the DC–DC converter. A mean Seebeck coefficient of about 60 µV/K for pn couple was calculated from experimental data, and a power of about 27 nW was measured at 10 K on matched load of about 6.8 kΩ. A temperature difference of about 1.8 ℃ was achieved between the junctions in working conditions next to those typical of human body wearing in indoors.

L. Francioso, C. De Pascali, C. Veri, M. Pasca, S. D’amico, F. Casino, P. Siciliano
An Innovative Electro-Optic Sensor for Point-Like Electric Field Measurements
Application Example: Electric Field Shields Characterization

The quantitative measurement of the electric field is a demanding task that has to be accomplished without perturbing the spatial distribution of the field itself and by using systems that can be operated safely also when intense electric fields have to be measured. In this paper it is presented an innovative fully dielectric electro-optic sensor suitable for measuring electric field in the range 150 V/m÷1 MV/m. An application example: the electric field shields characterization will be presented as a novel application.

Umberto Perini, Elena Golinelli, Letizia De Maria, Rudi Bratovich
A Sensor Fusion Method Applied to Networked Rain Gauges for Defining Statistically Based Rainfall Thresholds for Landslide Triggering

Timely alerts provided to the communities at risk of landslides can prevent casualties and costly damages to people, buildings and infrastructures. The rainfalls are one of the primary triggering causes for landslides so that empirical approaches based on the correlation between landslides occurrence and rainfall characteristics, are considered effective for warning systems. This research work has intended to develop a landslide alerting system by using a Sensor Fusion method based on the SVC (Support Vector Classification) techniques. This method fuses rainfall data gathered in continuous by networked rain gauges and returns confidence degrees associated to the not occurrence of the landslide event as well as to the occurrence of one. By using a k-fold validation technique, an SVC-model, with AUC (Area Under the Curve) mean of 0,964733 and variance of 0,001243, has been defined. The proposed method has been tested on the regional rain gauges network, deployed in Calabria (Italy).

Grazia Fattoruso, Annalisa Agresta, Saverio De Vito, Antonio Buonanno, Claudio Marocco, Mario Molinara, Francesco Tortorella, Girolamo Di Francia
Particle Manipulation by Means of Piezoelectric Actuators for Microfluidic Applications

In this paper the possibility to generate acoustic waves such as FPW (Flexural Plate Wave) for fluid and particle manipulation by piezoelectric actuators applied on non-piezoelectric substrates is explored. A test device with two Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) actuators deposited on an alumina (Al2O3) substrate by screen printing technique is presented. The experimental results show that, by exciting the actuators at their resonance frequencies, FPW modes are generated in the substrate. Circular vortex rotations are obtained in a fluid drop placed on the substrate by exciting a single actuator. In addition, micrometric particles dispersed in the drop allow to demonstrate that particle accumulation along circular lines is obtained by exciting both the actuators. These results suggest the possibility to employ the proposed actuators for fluid mixing and controlled positioning of dispersed particles.

Marco Demori, Marco Baù, Marco Ferrari, Vittorio Ferrari
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Residual Stress Mitigation in Piezoresistive Silicon Nitride Cantilever

In this work, we reports the design and technology optimization with residual stress balancing of piezo resistive silicon nitride micro cantilever stress sensors, which can be used for surface stress measurements in the liquid medium. In this context, the residual stresses of the thin films in a 600 nm thick cantilever stack (Si3N4/Poly Si/Si3N4/Au) were evaluated by curvature measurement on a test wafer to refine the balancing of the structure. In particular, the thickness of bottom silicon nitride was optimized to 300 nm to achieve the best trade-off between stress compensation and sensitivity. The cantilever bending curvature angle was calculated to be 45° and 19° with and without Au, as a top immobilization layer for the micro cantilever device. Further, finite element analysis results shows that for the low length/width ratio of cantilever, the stress sensitivity was better as compared to high aspect ratio.

M. Kandpal, A. Adami, F. Giacomozzi, M. Zen, V. Ramgopal Rao, L. Lorenzelli
Alcohols Traces Checked in River and Rain Water Using a DMFC-Enzymatic Device

Using direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme inserted in the anodic site by mean of a small dialysis bag, alcohol (ethanol and methanol) traces have been determined in rain and river natural waters. These two latter different type of natural waters have been also well distinguished using PCA and by performing additional measurements of pH, temperature, and oxygen content.

Mauro Tomassetti, Riccardo Angeloni, Mauro Castrucci, Giovanni Visco, Maria Pia Sammartino, Luigi Campanella
Electronic Nose Detection of Hydraulic-Oil Fingerprint Contamination in Relevant Aircraft Maintenance Scenarios

Modern aircraft structure, by making use of lightweight composite materials based on carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), succeeds in reducing CO2 emissions and transport fuel costs. Nevertheless, its usage cannot leave Non Destructive Tests out to consideration in order to set up a quality assurance procedure of surfaces’ contamination status. Here, we show and compare two different e-nose solutions able to detect and quantify hydraulic-oil fingerprint contamination at significantly low contamination levels occurring during aircraft maintenance operations.

M. Salvato, S. De Vito, M. Miglietta, E. Massera, E. Esposito, F. Formisano, G. Di Francia, G. Fattoruso
Radar-Based Fall Detection Using Deep Machine Learning: System Configuration and Performance

Automatic fall-detection systems, saving time for the arrival of medical assistance, have the potential to reduce the risk of adverse health consequences. Fall-detection technologies are under continuous improvements in terms of both acceptability and performance. Ultra-wideband radar sensing is an interesting technology able to provide rich information in a privacy-preserving way, and thus well acceptable by end-users. In this study, a radar sensor compound of two ultra-wideband monostatic units in two different configurations (i.e., vertical and horizontal baseline) has been investigated in order to provide sensor data from which robust features can be automatically extracted by using deep learning. The achieved results show the potential of the suggested sensor data representation and the superiority of the double-unit vertical-baseline configuration. Indeed, while the horizontal configuration allows to discriminate the body’s position around the radar system, the vertical one discriminates the body’s height that is more important for fall detection.

Giovanni Diraco, Alessandro Leone, Pietro Siciliano
Evaluation of the Volatile Organic Compounds Released from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and THP1 Cells Under Normal and Proinflammatory Conditions

Leukemia is a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal and dysfunctional white blood cells. Many studies were carried out to investigate metabolism of these cells. Metabolome analysis has been successfully applied to leukemia disease and emerged as a powerful tool for obtaining information about the biological processes that occur in organisms, and as a useful platform for discovering new clinical biomarkers and make diagnosis of disease using different biofluids. Whatever has not been investigated in leukemic cells is volatile metabolic signature that in recent literature is called “volatilome”. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the headspace of cultured THP1 cells and normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were collected by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC–MS), thus defining a volatile metabolomics signature. Styrene, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, 1-hexanol-2-ethyl, cyclohexane, 1,1’-(1,2-dimethyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis-, benzene, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- were present in higher amount in cultured THP1 cell than in PBMC, while 2-butanone has an opposite trend. Cell stimulation with lipopolysaccharide affected normal cells, but not leukemic cells. The establishment of the volatile fingerprint of THP1 cell lines presents a powerful approach to find endogenous VOCs that could be used to improve the diagnostic tools and explore the associated metabolomic pathways.

A. Forleo, S. Capone, V. Longo, F. Casino, A. V. Radogna, P. Siciliano, M. Massaro, E. Scoditti, N. Calabriso, MA. Carluccio
Au-Catalyst Assisted MOVPE Growth of CdTe Nanowires for Photovoltaic Applications

Vertically-aligned CdTe nanowire (NWs) were grown for the first time by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy, using diisopropyl-telluride and dimethylcadmium as precursors, and Au nanoparticles as metal catalysts. The NWs were grown between 485 and 515 °C on (111)B-GaAs substrates, the latter overgrown with a 2-μm thick CdTe epilayer. To favor the Au-catalyst assisted process against planar deposition of CdTe, an alternate precursors flow process was adopted during NW self-assembly. Field emission electron microscopy observations and X-ray energy dispersive analyses of CdTe NWs revealed the presence of Au-rich droplets at their tips, the contact-angle between Au-droplets and NWs being ~130°. The NW height increases exponentially with the growth temperature, indicating that the Au-catalyzed process is kinetics-limited (activation energy: ~57 kcal/mol), but no tapering is observed. Low temperature cathodoluminescence spectra recorded from single NWs evidenced a band-edge emission typical of zincblend CdTe, and a dominant (defects-related) emission band at 1.539 eV.

Virginia Di Carlo, Fabio Marzo, Massimo Di Giulio, Paola Prete, Nico Lovergine
An Electrode Impedance Balanced Interface for Biomedical Application

This work reports on the design of an electronic interface performing biomedical signal measurements. The proposed system involves three functional blocks: two leading electrodes, the signal conditioning front-end and a feedback circuitry. In particular, the latter is able to balance the electrodes impedance mismatching so to reduce the noise contribution. In this paper, the design has been tailored for a heart signal recording, however this approach can be easily applied in other types of biopotential measurements requiring a reduced number of electrodes. The reported simulation results show that the proposed system can be a good candidate in some intensive biomedical signal recordings.

Francesca Romana Parente, Simone Di Giovanni, Giuseppe Ferri, Vincenzo Stornelli, Giorgio Pennazza, Marco Santonico
Autonomous Microfluidic Capillary Network for on Chip Detection of Chemiluminescence

This work reports on the design, simulation and fabrication of an autonomous microfluidic network. It is a part of a highly integrated, new analytical platform for the multiparametric detection of bio-organic molecules in extra-terrestrial environment. The proposed microfluidic system, made in SU-8 3050, allows to obtain an autonomous microfluidic network able to have simultaneous capillary filling and fresh solution into each site of detection avoiding cross-contamination among different sites. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have been carried in order to verify the proper operation of the designed microfluidic network and to optimize it. Technological processes have been refined and adapted in order to ensure good adhesion, using low-temperature and low-pressure bonding avoiding the risk of breaking the glass slides. Experiments have been conducted to verify the autonomous capillary filling of the entire network and its rinsing with buffer solution. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulations.

M. Nardecchia, D. Paglialunga, G. Petrucci, N. Lovecchio, F. Costantini, S. Pirrotta, G. de Cesare, D. Caputo, A. Nascetti
Assessing the Relocation Robustness of on Field Calibrations for Air Quality Monitoring Devices

The adoption of on field calibration for pervasive air quality monitors, is increasing significantly in the last few years. The sensors data, recorded on the field, together with co-located reference analyzers data, allow to build a knowledge base that is more representative of the real world conditions and thus more effective. However, on field calibration precision may fade in time due to change in operative conditions, due to different drivers. Among these, relocation is deemed among the most relevant. In this work, for the first time, we attempt to assess the robustness of this approach to relocation of the sensor nodes. We try to evaluate the impact on performance of the so called locality issue by measuring the changes in the performance indicators, when a chemical multisensory system operates in a location that differs from the one in which it was on field calibrated. To this purposes, a nonlinear multivariate approach with Neural Networks (NN) and a suitable dataset, provided by NILU (the Norwegian Institute for Air Quality), have been used. The preliminary results show a greater influence of seasonal forcers distribution with respect to the relocation issues.

E. Esposito, M. Salvato, S. De Vito, G. Fattoruso, N. Castell, K. Karatzas, G. Di Francia
RGB-D Sensor for Facial Expression Recognition in AAL Context

This paper investigates the use of a commercial and low-cost RGB-D sensor for real-time facial expression recognition in Ambient Assisted Living Context. Since head poses and light conditions could be very different in domestic environments, the methodology used was designed to handle such situations. The implemented framework is able to classify four different categories of facial expressions: (1) happy, (2) sad, (3) fear/surprise, and (4) disgust/anger. The classification is obtained through an hybrid-based approach, by combining appearance and geometric features. The HOG feature descriptor and a group of Action Units compose the feature vector that is given as input, in the classification step, to a group of Support Vector Machines. The robustness of the approach is highlighted by the results obtained: the average accuracy for fear/surprise is the lowest with 85.2%, while happy is the facial expression better recognized (93.6%). Sad and disgust/anger are the facial expression confused the most.

Andrea Caroppo, Alessandro Leone, Pietro Siciliano
UV-Cured Composite Films Containing ZnO Nanostructures: Effect of Filler Shape on Piezoelectric Response

In this work, a facile aqueous sol-gel approach was exploited for synthesizing different ZnO nanostructures; these latter were employed at 4 wt% loading in a UV-curable acrylic system. The piezoelectric behavior of the resulting UV-cured nanocomposite films (NCFs) at resonance and at low frequency (150 Hz, typical value of interest in energy harvesting applications) was thoroughly investigated and correlated to the structure and morphology of the utilized ZnO nanostructures. For this purpose, the NCFs were used as active material into cantilever-shaped energy harvesters obtained through standard microfabrication technology. Interesting piezoelectric behavior was found for all the prepared UV-cured nanostructured films; the piezoelectric response of the different nanofillers was compared in terms of RMS voltage measured as a function of the applied waveform and normalized to the maximum acceleration applied to the cantilever devices. The obtained results confirmed the promising energy harvesting capability of such ZnO nanostructured films. In particular, flower-like structures showed the best piezoelectric performance both at resonance and 150 Hz, gaining a maximum normalized RMS of 0.914 mV and a maximum peak-peak voltage of about 16.0 mVp-p corresponding to the application of 5.79 g acceleration.

L. Francioso, G. Malucelli, A. Fioravanti, C. De Pascali, M. A. Signore, M. C. Carotta, A. Bonanno, D. Duraccio
Metadaten
Titel
Sensors and Microsystems
herausgegeben von
Dipl.-Ing. Alessandro Leone
Dr. Angiola Forleo
Dr. Luca Francioso
Dr. Simona Capone
Dr. Pietro Siciliano
Prof. Corrado Di Natale
Copyright-Jahr
2018
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-66802-4
Print ISBN
978-3-319-66801-7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66802-4