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A new kind of wearable. It doesn’t track your steps, or how many calories you’ve burned in a day. Nor does it analyse your sleep cycles and record your workouts. This wearable analyses something else, your posture. The UpRight is a posture trainer that does not only read your posture when sitting, but also rectifies it by providing real time biofeedback.Your back posture has a knock-on effect across your bodily functions, and when your posture is poor, this has negative repercussions from decreased lung capacity, increased blood pressure, decreased digestive function, back pain and decreased bone density.The UpRight sensor affixes to the user’s back via single-use adhesives and vibrates when it senses the user has slacked from a good postural position, to remind them to adjust accordingly.The vibration and sensitivity levels can be manually adjusted on the UpRight app, allowing the user the choose how strict they want their posture training to be.The app has tutorials on correct posture and how to use the UpRight vibration sensorproperly, as well as an easy to understand infographic displaying the user’s training progress and history.The UpRight sensor can be worn for a length of time at the user’s discretion, but UpRight suggest wearing it for 15 minutes to an hour every day. The Upright training programmes to gradually train core muscles and build muscle memory.“UpRight’s training is built on Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning negative reinforcement, which explains that a behaviour is strengthened by removing an aversive stimulus. In UpRight’s case, the vibration is the aversive stimulus. Skinner’s theory explains why UpRight’s training is almost entirely subconscious and trains you to naturally improve your posture gradually,” UpRight explain.The UpRight blog regularly updates with information on the benefits of good posture, not only physical, but also psychological. Read the ‘5 reasons to start working on your posture, and one way to do it’ blog here.Reference:KY45- D7E-1KY45-BU-27135-000KY45-1005940-1

The Hall-effect sensor HAL 18xy family from Micronas, a TDK group company, has been expanded with the introduction of the HAL 1860. This small, robust and cost-effective product also possesses output signal supervision capabilities.  Several programmable output signal clamping levels extend error signalling capabilities to indicate various fault conditions like under/overvoltage, under/overflow of the signal path, or overcurrent. A one-pin programming interface enables simultaneous programming of several devices through the output pins. Other major sensor characteristics like magnetic field range, sensitivity, offset and temperature coefficients are programmable in a non-volatile memory. “The small package and the protection functions of our new HAL 1860 sensor are perfectly suited for space constrained and harsh environments. The type of diagnostic and clamping used to enhance the signal integrity are usually found on higher-end devices. Furthermore, our customers will improve productivity thanks to our programming interface enabling the sensor performances to be optimised at the end of their production line. You clearly get more for less!” said Matthieu Rezé, Product Marketing Manager at Micronas. Thanks to the aforementioned benefits, the HAL 1860 can measure small angle (<90°) or linear displacement (few mm) in stringent applications. For example, it can be used as gear position detection sensor in dual clutch automatic transmission or steering torque sensor for industrial and recreational vehicles. The HAL 1860 is qualified according to AEC-Q100 and is packaged in an industry standard 3-pin TO92-UA, lead (Pb) free, with matte tin lead frame plating. It comes with two lead forming configurations: an online version with 1.27mm pin-to-pin spacing or alternatively a spread version with 2.54mm pin-to-pin spacing, better suited for welding process. Micronas will present the HAL 1860 from 8th to 11th November at the electronica exhibition in Munich (hall A6, booth 219).      

Gas Sensors Market size was USD 1.9 billion in 2014 and is predicted to achieve USD 2.9 billion in 2022 as estimated by Global Market Insights, Inc.  These devices are effectively used for maintaining the safety level especially in toxic environment condition. These sensors check the level of toxic gases mainly in industrial environments for avoiding any mishap.With a focus on security measures for preventing gas leakages, an exponential growth on this product is predicted. In addition, government norms for ensuring the health and security of workers are anticipated to increase demand over the projected period. Oxygen sensors are widely used in vehicles for maintenance of air quality. And also the effort to control emission across Asia Pacific is going to give a significant boost to the regional industry.Let's take a look on some of the figures forecasting the future of sensors and their importance in near future.Nitrogen oxide sensors touched USD 150 million in 2014 and are anticipated to rise at CAGR of 6.5% from 2015 to 2022. Medical gas sensors market share had exceeded 10% of global revenue in 2014. In addition to this, CO2 gas sensor size was gone above USD 500 million in 2014 and is estimated to fuel up to USD 800 million in the year 2022. Latin America market has noticed 10% of global rise in 2014. Europe is expected to rise at a CAGR of over 4.5% in the coming years. These rising digits are not going to stop in future because of wide use of sensors in numerous industries.Apart from above mentioned sensors and their statistics, semiconductor gas sensing technology is also widely used for checking the gas level by measuring the change in resistance of semiconductor.  It contributed to 18% of overall gas sensors industry in 2014. Along with cost effective feature, these sensors are known for eliminating toxic and combustible gases present in the environment. Chief manufacturers of sensors include Alphasense, Membrapor, Dynament, Figaro Engineering, City Technology and Dynament. All of them have dominated the market accounting for over 50% of the industry in 2014. In addition to new product development, companies working in this sector have adopted long-term agreements, along with mergers and acquisitions as primary growth strategies.However, use of shale gas especially in electricity production may challenge the growth rate. It has emerged as an eco-friendly way of electricity production over the power generated through coal. But as per the predictions of market trends, these products are going to thrive in next coming years.Reference:KY45-KGZ10KY45-KGZ10-SPKY45-GMS10RVSKY45-605-00007 

Researchers at the University of York have developed a sensor that is capable of detecting multiple proteins and enzymes in a small volume of blood, which could significantly speed up diagnostic healthcare processes. Currently tests to detect the presence of infection or disease require a sample of blood from a patient, which is later analysed in a laboratory to detect markers of disease.The presence of particular proteins can give an indication of a health condition and the best course of treatment, but only one type of protein can be identified per sample.If multiple tests are required, as is the case in the suspected presence of cancer cells or resistant infection, the delivery of results can take longer and the costs of testing increases.The team at York, however, have developed a biosensor that combines light and electricity, to detect multiple disease biomarkers in one smaller sample of blood. The technology could make blood tests more comfortable for patients and enable results to be processed quicker.Professor Thomas Krauss, at the University of York's Department of Physics, said: "These sensors can give fast, real time results and at low cost. The length of time and money that it takes laboratory technicians to identify just one protein in a patient sample is a real challenge for the NHS and can result in emotional distress for patients."Not only can this new technology speed the process up, but it can test for a number of proteins and enzymes together in just one sample, increasing the chances of a successful and timely diagnosis."Researchers are now looking to test the new technology in urine samples for urinary tract infections (UTIs), which has a high resistance to antibiotic treatment. If the biosensor can identify biomarkers of the infection and of resistance, it is more likely that the correct course of antibiotic treatment will be prescribed the first time around, rather than on repeat visits, which is often the case with UTIs.Dr Steve Johnson, from the University of York's Department of Electronics, said: "Combining light and electricity in silicon sensors has never been done before. This exciting new technology provides in-depth analysis of biological interactions and new ways of sensing on the micro-scale."The emergence of stratified and personalised medicines – the tailoring of treatments to the biology of the individual – has increased the demands on diagnostic technologies, particularly with healthcare challenges related to anti-microbial resistance.PhD student, Jose Juan Colas, who conducted the research at the University's Department of Physics, added: "This new diagnostic technique could have many applications and really pushes us forward in how we think about developing technologies for the future."By working together across multiple disciplines we have demonstrated a unique technology with the potential to make a real difference to health science, clinical practice, and basic science." The research, supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), is published in the journal Nature Communications.Reference:KY0-LM50BIM3/NOPBKY45-LM61CIM3XKY45-TMP03FT9Z

The new generation linear and angular position sensors from ZF pursue new ways in terms of efficiency. Based on a modular system, the sensor is available as an ANG version for angular position measurements or as a LIN-version for linear position measurements. Whereas the ANG-series adds to the existing range of angular position sensors, the linear position sensor opens a new scope for ZF customers. Possible for these sensors are applications such as hydraulic valves, hydraulic controls, electric drives, pneumatic controls, gear selection / shifting position, ride height and level position detection, throttle valve and pedal position, steering wheel position or as a zero-contact encoder alternative. IP68 classification makes these sensors universal also for use in rough environmental conditions. They comply with industrial / automotive EMC/EMI directives and come with a 12 Bit resolution. Due to the compact size the ANG- and LIN-series require less space than other sensors with a similar performance. The mounting Height is only 6.5 mm which is an extremely flat design for linear and angular position sensing. The LIN-series can measure a range of up to 45 mm, while the ANG series provide a programmable measuring range from 0° to 360° degrees. Due to the quality of the components used, both sensors come with an overall accuracy of ±2% full scale and a linearity of the output signal with ±1% full scale. Custom programming is available for: range, slope and PWM output thus allowing an excellent modification to individual requirements. No mechanical interface means no parts to wear out or jam. The LIN- and ANG-series sensors are non-contact linear position sensors with one or two independent outputs. The sensors operate through the use of Hall Effect technology with magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets. They provide a linear change in voltage output (ratiometric to the input voltage) corresponding to a linear displacement of the actuator magnet. The LIN-sensor includes an actuator magnet which specifically paired to the sensor and is required to assure proper operation. Both sensors are RoHS Compliant and suitable for wide air gap applications. Reference: KY45-34THEB1ATA2S22 KY45-AMS22S5A1BHAFL334 KY45-F56101114 KY45-6015-1002-030  

Harvard University researchers have made the first entirely 3D-printed organ-on-a-chip with integrated sensing. Built by a fully automated, digital manufacturing procedure, the 3D-printed heart-on-a-chip can be quickly fabricated in customized form factors allowing researchers to easily collect reliable data for short-term and long-term studies.This new approach to manufacturing may one day allow researchers to rapidly design organs-on-chips, also known as microphysiological systems, that match the properties of a specific disease or even an individual patient's cells.The research is published in Nature Materials."This new programmable approach to building organs-on-chips not only allows us to easily change and customize the design of the system by integrating sensing but also drastically simplifies data acquisition," said Johan Ulrik Lind, first author of the paper and postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Lind is also a researcher at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University."Our microfabrication approach opens new avenues for in vitro tissue engineering, toxicology and drug screening research," said Kit Parker, Tarr Family Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics at SEAS, who coauthored the study. Parker is also a Core Faculty Member of the Wyss Institute.Organs-on-chips mimic the structure and function of native tissue and have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional animal testing. Harvard researchers have developed microphysiological systems that mimic the microarchitecture and functions of lungs, hearts, tongues and intestines.However, the fabrication and data collection process for organs-on-chips is expensive and laborious. Currently, these devices are built in clean rooms using a complex, multi-step lithographic process and collecting data requires microscopy or high-speed cameras."Our approach was to address these two challenges simultaneously via digital manufacturing," said Travis Busbee, coauthor of the paper and graduate student in the Lewis Lab. "By developing new printable inks for multi-material 3D printing, we were able to automate the fabrication process while increasing the complexity of the devices."The researchers developed six different inks that integrated soft strain sensors within the micro-architecture of the tissue. In a single, continuous procedure, the team 3D printed those materials into a cardiac microphysiological device—a heart on a chip—with integrated sensors."We are pushing the boundaries of three-dimensional printing by developing and integrating multiple functional materials within printed devices," said Jennifer Lewis, Hansjorg Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering, and coauthor of the study. "This study is a powerful demonstration of how our platform can be used to create fully functional, instrumented chips for drug screening and disease modeling."The chip contains multiple wells, each with separate tissues and integrated sensors, allowing researchers to study many engineered cardiac tissues at once. To demonstrate the efficacy of the device, the team performed drug studies and longer-term studies of gradual changes in the contractile stress of engineered cardiac tissues, which can occur over the course of several weeks."Researchers are often left working in the dark when it comes to gradual changes that occur during cardiac tissue development and maturation because there has been a lack of easy, non-invasive ways to measure the tissue functional performance," said Lind. "These integrated sensors allow researchers to continuously collect data while tissues mature and improve their contractility. Similarly, they will enable studies of gradual effects of chronic exposure to toxins.""Translating microphysiological devices into truly valuable platforms for studying human health and disease requires that we address both data acquisition and manufacturing of our devices," said Parker. "This work offers new potential solutions to both of these central challenges."Reference:KY45-59020-010KY45-59135-020KY45-MK21P-1B90C-500W