Abstract: A gas monitoring system can include a chemical concentration secondary gas sensor, with a conductive heater element, which can be heated to a standby temperature slightly above an ambient temperature level of a gaseous ambient environment. A thermal characteristic of the environment can be monitored by a thermal property primary sensor and configured to provide a triggering output in response to a physical characteristic of the conductive heating element meeting at least one criterion. In response to the triggering output, the heater is controllable to heat the chemical concentration secondary gas sensor to a secondary operating temperature at which the chemical concentration secondary gas sensor can detect the presence of a specified gas in the environment.

Abstract: A fluid sensor system that is configured to perform in-line monitoring is disclosed. The fluid sensor system can include a sensor module that includes a sensing channel configured to receive a sample fluid, two or more calibration compartments, and a sensing element configured to interact with the sample fluid in the sensing channel. The fluid sensor system can include a reader that is electrically and mechanically coupled to the sensor module. The reader includes a controller that is configured to control operation of the fluid sensor system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for fluid sensing system are disclosed. The method can include providing a first portion of a sample fluid in a sensing channel, holding the first portion of the sample fluid in the sensing channel for a first diffusion period, after the first diffusion period, providing a second portion of the sample fluid in the sensing channel, holding the second portion of the sample fluid in the sensing channel for a second diffusion period, and after the second diffusion period, sensing the second portion of the sample fluid in the sensing channel by a sensing element. Providing pulses of sample with intervening diffusion periods can produce more uniform analyte concentration across sensors with less overall volume of sample fluid.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors include a housing within which an electrolyte is provided over the electrodes. The housing includes an active region, which is the area around the electrodes in which the electrolyte must be positioned to ensure correct operation of the device. The inner walls, base and ceiling of the housing are coated in either hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials, or both, so as to encourage the electrolyte to take a position over the active region, which is defined by the position of the electrodes. In some electrochemical sensors, a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials is used and the materials can be arranged in a pattern, which encourages the electrolyte to take a position over the active region.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors typically include capillaries or openings in a substrate which allow the gas present in the environment to make its way into the sensor. The present disclosure proposes the use of a hydrophobic layer, coating or surface in various arrangements around these openings in order to help prevent or restrict electrolyte leaving the sensor and also prevent moisture or other liquids entering the sensor. In some such electrochemical sensors, the hydrophobic layer acts to prevent or restrict electrolyte from drying out or leaving the sensor. In other such electrochemical sensors, there is a porous electrode and a liquid electrolyte, with the hydrophobic layer repelling the electrolyte from passing through the electrode and out of the electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors include a housing within which an electrolyte is provided over the electrodes. The housing includes an active region, which is the area around the electrodes in which the electrolyte must be positioned to ensure correct operation of the device. The inner walls, base and ceiling of the housing are coated in either hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials, or both, so as to encourage the electrolyte to take a position over the active region, which is defined by the position of the electrodes. In some electrochemical sensors, a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials is used and the materials can be arranged in a pattern, which encourages the electrolyte to take a position over the active region.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors typically include capillaries or openings in a substrate which allow the gas present in the environment to make its way into the sensor. The present disclosure proposes the use of a hydrophobic layer, coating or surface in various arrangements around these openings in order to help prevent or restrict electrolyte leaving the sensor and also prevent moisture or other liquids entering the sensor. In some such electrochemical sensors, the hydrophobic layer acts to prevent or restrict electrolyte from drying out or leaving the sensor. In other such electrochemical sensors, there is a porous electrode and a liquid electrolyte, with the hydrophobic layer repelling the electrolyte from passing through the electrode and out of the electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate carrying a plurality of circuit elements; a metallization stack interconnecting said circuit elements, said metallization stack comprising a patterned upper metallization layer comprising a first metal portion; a passivation stack covering the metallization stack; and a sensor including a sensing material on the passivation stack, said sensor being coupled to the first metal portion by a via extending through the passivation stack. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for containing a perishable substance has a container wall with an inner side and an outer side. The wall has an electrically conductive layer extending between the inner side and the outer side. The inner side faces the space containing the substance. The container comprises electronic circuitry having a sensor for sensing a physical property or condition of the substance, and an antenna for communicating an RF signal to a receiver, external to the container. The RF signal is indicative of the physical property or condition sensed. The sensor is positioned so as to be exposed to the space containing the substance in operational use of the container. The antenna is positioned at the outer side, or between the outer side and the electrically conductive layer, and is electrically isolated from the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10); and an optical CO2 sensor comprising: first and second light sensors (12, 12?) on said substrate, said second light sensor being spatially separated from the first light sensor; and a layer portion (14) including an organic compound comprising at least one amine or amidine functional group over the first light sensor; wherein said integrated circuit further comprises a signal processor (16) coupled to the first and second light sensor for determining a difference in the respective outputs of the first and second light sensor. An electronic device comprising such a sensor and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a stack of patterned metal layers separated by dielectric layers, the stack comprising a first conductive support structure and a second conductive support structure and a cavity in which an inertial mass element comprising at least one metal portion is conductively coupled to the first support structure and the second support structure by respective conductive connection portions, at least one of said conductive connection portions being designed to break upon the inertial mass element being exposed to an acceleration force exceeding a threshold defined by the dimensions of the conductive connection portions. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising an electrode arrangement for detecting the presence of a liquid, said electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein, prior to exposure of the electrode arrangement to said liquid, a surface of at least one of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially covered by a compound that is soluble in the liquid; the electrical properties of the electrode arrangement being dependent on the amount of the compound covering said surface. An package and electronic device comprising such an IC and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a lateral flow immunoassay test device. The test device comprises a test strip. The test strip comprises a test membrane having a translucent section including a control zone and a test zone. The device is adapted to house the test strip such that at least the translucent section is exposable to ambient light. The device comprises a backing structure for backing the test strip which comprises a first optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the test zone, and a second optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the translucent section in a further zone outside of the test and control zones. Using the detector outputs an amount of analyte in a test liquid may be calculated.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a silicon substrate having a first and a second surface, integrated circuitry provided on the first surface of the silicon substrate, and a sensor structure provided on the second surface of the silicon substrate. The sensor structure and the integrated circuitry are electrically coupled to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a stack of patterned metal layers separated by dielectric layers, the stack comprising a first conductive support structure and a second conductive support structure and a cavity in which an inertial mass element comprising at least one metal portion is conductively coupled to the first support structure and the second support structure by respective conductive connection portions, at least one of said conductive connection portions being designed to break upon the inertial mass element being exposed to an acceleration force exceeding a threshold defined by the dimensions of the conductive connection portions. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate carrying a plurality of circuit elements; a metallization stack interconnecting said circuit elements, said metallization stack comprising a patterned upper metallization layer comprising a first metal portion; a passivation stack covering the metallization stack; and a sensor including a sensing material on the passivation stack, said sensor being coupled to the first metal portion by a via extending through the passivation stack. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10) carrying a plurality of circuit elements; a metallization stack (12, 14, 16) interconnecting said circuit elements, said metallization stack comprising a patterned upper metallization layer comprising a first metal portion (20); a passivation stack (24, 26, 28) covering the metallization stack; and a sensor including a sensing material (40) on the passivation stack, said sensor being coupled to the first metal portion by a via (34) extending through the passivation stack. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10); and an optical CO2 sensor comprising: first and second light sensors (12, 12?) on said substrate, said second light sensor being spatially separated from the first light sensor; and a layer portion (14) including an organic compound comprising at least one amine or amidine functional group over the first light sensor; wherein said integrated circuit further comprises a signal processor (16) coupled to the first and second light sensor for determining a difference in the respective outputs of the first and second light sensor. An electronic device comprising such a sensor and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10); and an optical CO2 sensor comprising: first and second light sensors (12, 12?) on said substrate, said second light sensor being spatially separated from the first light sensor; and a layer portion (14) including an organic compound comprising at least one amine or amidine functional group over the first light sensor; wherein said integrated circuit further comprises a signal processor (16) coupled to the first and second light sensor for determining a difference in the respective outputs of the first and second light sensor. An electronic device comprising such a sensor and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed.

Abstract: A neuromimetic device includes a feedforward pathway and a feedback pathway. The device operates in parallel with a suspect neural region, coupled between regions afferent and efferent to the suspect region. The device can be trained to mimic the suspect region while the region is still considered functional; and then replace the region once the region is considered dysfunctional. The device may be particularly useful in treating neuromotor issues such as Parkinson's disease.