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State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 22263

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. proMetheus-Research Unit in Materials, Energy and Environment for Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Portugal
2. Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, Porto, Portugal
Interests: optical fiber sensors; arc-induced long-period fiber gratings; fiber gratings; biosensors; environmental sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CMEMS–UMinho, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: microsystems; RF microelectronics; wireless sensor networks; biomedical devices; antennas; neural interfaces; wireless power
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of sensor technology in Portugal. We invite research articles that consolidate our understanding of this area. The Special Issue will publish full research papers and reviews. Potential topics include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Optical fiber sensors
  • Medical sensors
  • Optical fiber instrumentation
  • Antenna and microwave design for wireless sensor applications
  • Physical sensors
  • Chemical sensors
  • Biosensors
  • Advanced materials for sensing
  • Internet of Things
  • Industrial sensors and IoT protocols
  • Remote sensors
  • Sensor networks
  • Smart/Intelligent sensors
  • Sensor devices
  • Sensor technology and application
  • Sensing principles
  • Optoelectronic and photonic sensors
  • Optomechanical sensors
  • Sensor arrays and chemometrics
  • Micro- and nanosensors
  • Signal processing, data fusion, and deep learning in sensor systems
  • Human–computer Interaction
  • MEMS/NEMS

Prof. Dr. Gaspar Rego
Prof. Dr. Paulo Mendes
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4390 KiB  
Communication
Particle Classification through the Analysis of the Forward Scattered Signal in Optical Tweezers
by Inês Alves Carvalho, Nuno Azevedo Silva, Carla C. Rosa, Luís C. C. Coelho and Pedro A. S. Jorge
Sensors 2021, 21(18), 6181; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21186181 - 15 Sep 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2931
Abstract
The ability to select, isolate, and manipulate micron-sized particles or small clusters has made optical tweezers one of the emergent tools for modern biotechnology. In conventional setups, the classification of the trapped specimen is usually achieved through the acquired image, the scattered signal, [...] Read more.
The ability to select, isolate, and manipulate micron-sized particles or small clusters has made optical tweezers one of the emergent tools for modern biotechnology. In conventional setups, the classification of the trapped specimen is usually achieved through the acquired image, the scattered signal, or additional information such as Raman spectroscopy. In this work, we propose a solution that uses the temporal data signal from the scattering process of the trapping laser, acquired with a quadrant photodetector. Our methodology rests on a pre-processing strategy that combines Fourier transform and principal component analysis to reduce the dimension of the data and perform relevant feature extraction. Testing a wide range of standard machine learning algorithms, it is shown that this methodology allows achieving accuracy performances around 90%, validating the concept of using the temporal dynamics of the scattering signal for the classification task. Achieved with 500 millisecond signals and leveraging on methods of low computational footprint, the results presented pave the way for the deployment of alternative and faster classification methodologies in optical trapping technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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14 pages, 2669 KiB  
Article
Hybrid Multisite Silicon Neural Probe with Integrated Flexible Connector for Interchangeable Packaging
by Ashley Novais, Carlos Calaza, José Fernandes, Helder Fonseca, Patricia Monteiro, João Gaspar and Luis Jacinto
Sensors 2021, 21(8), 2605; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21082605 - 8 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3600
Abstract
Multisite neural probes are a fundamental tool to study brain function. Hybrid silicon/polymer neural probes combine rigid silicon and flexible polymer parts into one single device and allow, for example, the precise integration of complex probe geometries, such as multishank designs, with flexible [...] Read more.
Multisite neural probes are a fundamental tool to study brain function. Hybrid silicon/polymer neural probes combine rigid silicon and flexible polymer parts into one single device and allow, for example, the precise integration of complex probe geometries, such as multishank designs, with flexible biocompatible cabling. Despite these advantages and benefiting from highly reproducible fabrication methods on both silicon and polymer substrates, they have not been widely available. This paper presents the development, fabrication, characterization, and in vivo electrophysiological assessment of a hybrid multisite multishank silicon probe with a monolithically integrated polyimide flexible interconnect cable. The fabrication process was optimized at wafer level, and several neural probes with 64 gold electrode sites equally distributed along 8 shanks with an integrated 8 µm thick highly flexible polyimide interconnect cable were produced. The monolithic integration of the polyimide cable in the same fabrication process removed the necessity of the postfabrication bonding of the cable to the probe. This is the highest electrode site density and thinnest flexible cable ever reported for a hybrid silicon/polymer probe. Additionally, to avoid the time-consuming bonding of the probe to definitive packaging, the flexible cable was designed to terminate in a connector pad that can mate with commercial zero-insertion force (ZIF) connectors for electronics interfacing. This allows great experimental flexibility because interchangeable packaging can be used according to experimental demands. High-density distributed in vivo electrophysiological recordings were obtained from the hybrid neural probes with low intrinsic noise and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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17 pages, 6671 KiB  
Article
Frequency-Spectra-Based High Coding Capacity Chipless RFID Using an UWB-IR Approach
by Kawther Mekki, Omrane Necibi, Hugo Dinis, Paulo Mendes and Ali Gharsallah
Sensors 2021, 21(7), 2525; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21072525 - 4 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3365
Abstract
A novel methodology is proposed to reliably predict the resonant characteristics of a multipatch backscatter-based radio frequency identification (RFID) chipless tag. An ultra-wideband impulsion radio (UWB-IR)-based reader interrogates the chipless tag with a UWB pulse, and analyzes the obtained backscatter in the time [...] Read more.
A novel methodology is proposed to reliably predict the resonant characteristics of a multipatch backscatter-based radio frequency identification (RFID) chipless tag. An ultra-wideband impulsion radio (UWB-IR)-based reader interrogates the chipless tag with a UWB pulse, and analyzes the obtained backscatter in the time domain. The RFID system consists of a radar cross-section (RCS)-based chipless tag containing a square microstrip patch antenna array in which the chipless tag is interrogated with a UWB pulse by an UWB-IR-based reader. The main components of the backscattered signal, the structural mode, and the antenna mode were identified and their spectral quality was evaluated. The study revealed that the antenna-mode backscatter includes signal carrying information, while the structural mode backscatter does not include any tag information. The simulation findings were confirmed by experimental measurements obtained in an anechoic chamber environment using a 6-bit multipatch chipless RFID tag. Finally, the novel technique does not use calibration tags and can freely orient tags with respect to the reader. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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Review

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22 pages, 4062 KiB  
Review
Optical Fiber Interferometers Based on Arc-Induced Long Period Gratings at INESC TEC
by Paulo Caldas and Gaspar Rego
Sensors 2021, 21(21), 7400; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21217400 - 7 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2659
Abstract
In this work, we review the most important achievements of an INESC TEC long-period-grating-based fiber optic Michelson and Mach–Zehnder configuration modal interferometer with coherence addressing and heterodyne interrogation as a sensing structure for measuring environmental refractive index and temperature. The theory for Long [...] Read more.
In this work, we review the most important achievements of an INESC TEC long-period-grating-based fiber optic Michelson and Mach–Zehnder configuration modal interferometer with coherence addressing and heterodyne interrogation as a sensing structure for measuring environmental refractive index and temperature. The theory for Long Period Grating (LPG) interferometers and coherence addressing and heterodyne interrogation is presented. To increase the sensitivity to external refractive index and temperature, several LPG interferometers parameters are studied, including order of cladding mode, a reduction of the fiber diameter, different type of fiber, cavity length and the antisymmetric nature of cladding modes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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24 pages, 6840 KiB  
Review
Arc-Induced Long-Period Fiber Gratings at INESC TEC. Part II: Properties and Applications in Optical Communications and Sensing
by Gaspar Rego, Paulo Caldas and Oleg V. Ivanov
Sensors 2021, 21(17), 5914; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21175914 - 2 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2344
Abstract
In this work, we review the most important achievements of INESC TEC related to the properties and applications of arc-induced long-period fiber gratings. The polarization dependence loss, the spectral behavior at temperatures ranging from cryogenic up to 1200 °C and under exposure to [...] Read more.
In this work, we review the most important achievements of INESC TEC related to the properties and applications of arc-induced long-period fiber gratings. The polarization dependence loss, the spectral behavior at temperatures ranging from cryogenic up to 1200 °C and under exposure to ultraviolet and gamma radiation is described. The dependence of gratings sensitivity on the fabrication parameters is discussed. Several applications in optical communications and sensing domains are referred. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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25 pages, 7106 KiB  
Review
Arc-Induced Long-Period Fiber Gratings at INESC TEC. Part I: Fabrication, Characterization and Mechanisms of Formation
by Gaspar Rego, Paulo Caldas and Oleg V. Ivanov
Sensors 2021, 21(14), 4914; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21144914 - 19 Jul 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2892
Abstract
In this work, we reviewed the most important achievements of INESC TEC related to the fabrication of long-period fiber gratings using the electric arc technique. We focused on the fabrication setup, the type of fiber used, and the effect of the fabrication parameters [...] Read more.
In this work, we reviewed the most important achievements of INESC TEC related to the fabrication of long-period fiber gratings using the electric arc technique. We focused on the fabrication setup, the type of fiber used, and the effect of the fabrication parameters on the gratings’ transmission spectra. The theory was presented, as well as a discussion on the mechanisms responsible for the formation of the gratings, supported by the measurement of the temperature reached by the fiber during an electric arc discharge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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19 pages, 4418 KiB  
Review
Biosensors for European Zoonotic Agents: A Current Portuguese Perspective
by Samuel da Costa Miguéis, Ana P. M. Tavares, Gabriela V. Martins, Manuela F. Frasco and Maria Goreti Ferreira Sales
Sensors 2021, 21(13), 4547; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21134547 - 2 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2962
Abstract
Emerging and recurrent outbreaks caused by zoonotic agents pose a public health risk. They result in morbidity and mortality in humans and significant losses in the livestock and food industries. This highlights the need for rapid surveillance methods. Despite the high reliability of [...] Read more.
Emerging and recurrent outbreaks caused by zoonotic agents pose a public health risk. They result in morbidity and mortality in humans and significant losses in the livestock and food industries. This highlights the need for rapid surveillance methods. Despite the high reliability of conventional pathogen detection methods, they have high detection limits and are time-consuming and not suitable for on-site analysis. Furthermore, the unpredictable spread of zoonotic infections due to a complex combination of risk factors urges the development of innovative technologies to overcome current limitations in early warning and detection. Biosensing, in particular, is highlighted here, as it offers rapid and cost-effective devices for use at the site of infection while increasing the sensitivity of detection. Portuguese research in biosensors for zoonotic pathogens is the focus of this review. This branch of research produces exciting and innovative devices for the study of the most widespread pathogenic bacteria. The studies presented here relate to the different classes of pathogens whose characteristics and routes of infection are also described. Many advances have been made in recent years, and Portuguese research teams have increased publications in this field. However, biosensing still needs to be extended to other pathogens, including potentially pandemic viruses. In addition, the use of biosensors as part of routine diagnostics in hospitals for humans, in animal infections for veterinary medicine, and food control has not yet been achieved. Therefore, a convergence of Portuguese efforts with global studies on biosensors to control emerging zoonotic diseases is foreseen for the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Portugal 2020-2021)
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