Abstract: A vibration sensor includes a substrate. A first electrical contact and a spaced apart second electrical contact are both disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure extends outwardly from the first surface of the substrate and is disposed between, and in electrical communication with, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure is oriented so that a voltage potential exists between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact when the elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure is bent from a first state to a second state.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light sensor includes an elongated metal oxide nanostructure, a layer of an ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer, a current source and a current detector. The elongated metal oxide nanostructure has a first end and an opposite second end. The layer of an ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer is disposed about at least a portion of the metal oxide nanostructure. The current source is configured to provide electrons to the first end of the metal oxide nanostructure. The current detector is configured to detect an amount of current flowing through the metal oxide nanostructure. The amount of current flowing through the metal oxide nanostructure corresponds to an amount of ultraviolet light impinging on the metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a target substance includes a substrate, an elongated electroactive cantilever, a functional layer and an electrical sensor. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes an electroactive member extending outwardly from the substrate. The functional layer is applied to the first surface and includes a material that reacts with the target substance so that when the functional layer is in the presence of the target substance, the functional layer will cause a change in an electrical property of the electroactive cantilever. The electrical sensor is coupled to the electroactive cantilever and is configured to sense the electrical property of the electroactive cantilever.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light sensor includes an elongated metal oxide nanostructure, a layer of an ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer, a current source and a current detector. The elongated metal oxide nanostructure has a first end and an opposite second end. The layer of an ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer is disposed about at least a portion of the metal oxide nanostructure. The current source is configured to provide electrons to the first end of the metal oxide nanostructure. The current detector is configured to detect an amount of current flowing through the metal oxide nanostructure. The amount of current flowing through the metal oxide nanostructure corresponds to an amount of ultraviolet light impinging on the metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: A vibration sensor includes a substrate. A first electrical contact and a spaced apart second electrical contact are both disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure extends outwardly from the first surface of the substrate and is disposed between, and in electrical communication with, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure is oriented so that a voltage potential exists between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact when the elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure is bent from a first state to a second state.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a target substance includes a substrate, an elongated electroactive cantilever, a functional layer and an electrical sensor. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes an electroactive member extending outwardly from the substrate. The functional layer is applied to the first surface and includes a material that reacts with the target substance so that when the functional layer is in the presence of the target substance, the functional layer will cause a change in an electrical property of the electroactive cantilever. The electrical sensor is coupled to the electroactive cantilever and is configured to sense the electrical property of the electroactive cantilever.