Abstract: Sensor systems and methods are disclosed herein. In general, a sensor can be provided for detecting the presence of a gas (e.g., hydrogen) in an area proximate to the sensor component. A composite material is generally associated with the sensor, wherein the composite material comprises a metal hydride material for gas storage. A heater can also be provided that heats the metal hydride material to a particular temperature at which hydrogen is released from the metal hydride material in order to calibrate and self-test the sensor for detecting the presence of gas.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor apparatus is disclosed, which generally includes a piezoelectric substrate having a surface thereon. One or more interdigital transducers and a passivation layer can be formed upon the piezoelectric substrate. Additionally, an absorbent material can be formed upon the acoustic path (IDTs, electrodes, etc), such that the interdigital transducers respond to a plurality of acoustic waves propagating across the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, thereby providing data indicative of humidity in the vicinity of the piezoelectric substrate, along with the passivation layer and the interdigital transducers. Additionally, one or more heaters can be formed upon a side of the piezoelectric substrate opposite the side of the piezoelectric substrate upon which the interdigital transducers, the passivation and the absorbent material are located. The heater can be preferably configured from a material such as platinum.

Abstract: In general, a dielectric polymer substrate provided and an antenna formed upon the dielectric polymer substrate. A piezoelectric polymer layer (e.g., a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film) can be formed above the dielectric polymer substrate. Additionally, an interdigital (IDT) layer can be configured upon the PVDF piezoelectric layer, thereby permitting the piezoelectric polymer layer and the IDT layer to detect pressure data and transmit the data to a receiver via the antenna.

Abstract: Disposable pressure sensor methods and systems are disclosed. A substrate can be provided, along with a capacitor and an inductor fixed to the substrate to form a pressure sensor thereof. In a variable L configuration, the inductor can be configured to comprise an inductor surface and a diaphragm, such that when the diaphragm is exposed to a pressure, the diaphragm moves close to the inductor surface, thereby resulting in an increase in the inductance and a decrease in the resonant frequency associated with the capacitor and the inductor and any associated circuitry. In a variable C configuration, the capacitor can be configured to comprise one electrode on the surface and one on the diaphragm, such that when the diaphragm is exposed to a pressure, the diaphragm moves close to the capacitor surface, thereby resulting in an increase in the capacitance and a decrease in the resonant frequency associated with the capacitor and the inductor and any associated circuitry.

Abstract: A self-testing and self-calibrating detector utilizing an internally produced reference gas. A detector that is sensitive to a target analyte as well as a reference gas can be utilized. A gas releasing material, such as a heated metal hydride, releases the reference gas. The partial pressure of the reference gas is known as a temperature dependent physical property of the gas releasing material. During calibration, the material can be heated to release reference gas and a calibration measurement of the gas' partial pressure can be made and compared to an expected value. The comparison can then be utilized to calibrate the detector.

Abstract: A disposable and wireless sensor system and method are disclosed. In general, a pressure diaphragm can be connected to one or more reusable Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) probe heads, which are associated with an antenna for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals that excite the reusable SAW probe head only when the reusable SAW head is in contact with the pressure diaphragm. Interrogation electronics can also be provided, which are associated with the reusable SAW probe head. One or more signals can be wirelessly transmitted to the interrogation electronics for exciting the reusable SAW probe head for pressure sensing applications thereof.

Abstract: A quartz sensor method and system are disclosed in which a plurality of SAW sensing resonators can be mechanically simulated for implementation upon a quartz wafer substrate. The quartz wafer substrate can thereafter be appropriately etched to produce a quartz diaphragm from the quartz wafer substrate. A plurality of SAW sensing resonators (e.g., pressure, reference and/or temperature SAW resonators) can then be located upon the quartz wafer substrate, which is based upon the previously mechanically simulated for implementation upon the substrate to thereby produce a quartz sensor package from the quartz wafer substrate.

Abstract: A surface wave device can be configured to include an interdigital transducer and an acoustic coating formed upon a piezoelectric substrate, wherein the interdigital transducer is selected to introduce negligible electrical coupling to surface waves thereof. Additionally, an antenna can be integrated with the surface wave device, wherein the antenna receives one or mores signals, which excite the acoustic wave device to produce multiple modes frequency outputs in which temperature and pressure effect changes are separated from one another for analysis thereof.