Sensor

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A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated glass tube. A thermocouple converts temperature to an output voltage which can be read by a voltmeter. For accuracy, all sensors need to be calibrated against known standards.

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News tagged with sensors

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Samsung launches a new vacuuming robot

Samsung launches a new vacuuming robot

Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets

created Nov 06, 2009 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (7) | comments 8

(PhysOrg.com) -- Samsung Electronics has launched its latest autonomous robot vacuum cleaner, the Tango, which is capable of vacuuming hardwood floors, carpets, and even beds without human assistance.


Tackling new Arctic challenges from space

Space & Earth / Environment

created Nov 05, 2009 | popularity 1 / 5 (1) | comments 1

International scientists, researchers and decision makers met at the 'Space and the Arctic workshop' to identify the needs and challenges of working and living in the rapidly changing Arctic and to explore how space-based ...


Research leads to improved human, object detection technology

Research leads to improved human, object detection technology

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Nov 03, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

When searching for basketball videos online, a long list of websites appears, which may contain a picture or a word describing a basketball. But what if the computer could search inside videos for a basketball? ...


Customs

'Fear detector' being developed

Technology / Hi Tech

created Nov 03, 2009 | popularity 2.8 / 5 (6) | comments 11

(PhysOrg.com) -- British scientists are aiming to develop a device that can detect the smell of fear, and that could one day identify terrorists, drug smugglers, and other criminals.


Digital 'plaster' for monitoring vital signs undergoes first clinical trials

Digital 'plaster' for monitoring vital signs undergoes first clinical trials

Medicine & Health / Medications

created Nov 02, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

A wireless digital 'plaster' that can monitor vital signs continuously and remotely is being tried out with patients and healthy volunteers at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, in a new clinical trial ...


Scene from Minority Report

Microsoft Researchers Developing Muscle-Based PC Interface (w/ Video)

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Oct 30, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (10) | comments 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- Microsoft researches have teamed up with the University of Washington and the University of Toronto to develop a muscle-controlled interface that allows for hands-free, gesture-driven interaction ...


Smart Hand Project

Robotic Hand That Senses Touch (w/ Video)

Electronics / Robotics

created Oct 21, 2009 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (25) | comments 10

(PhysOrg.com) -- Developed by researchers at Lund University in Sweden and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Italy, the Smart Hand project has given patient, Robin af Ekenstam (see video) the sense of touch in ...


Earthquake early-warning system soon to enter testing

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Oct 20, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

It is the Holy Grail of seismology, sought by earthquake scientists for more than a century: the ability to provide advance warning of the Big One, so the public can react before a massive quake unleashes its rolling thunder ...


Tiny motes sniff out chemical, biological threats

Tiny motes sniff out chemical, biological threats

Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

created Oct 12, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Research to develop a new method to detect biological and chemical threats may also lead to new approaches for removing pollutants from the environment.


New technology detects chemical weapons in seconds

Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

created Oct 05, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists at Queen's University Belfast are developing new sensors to detect chemical agents and illegal drugs which will help in the fight against the threat of terrorist attacks.


Wi-Fi signals can see through walls

Wi-Fi signals can see through walls

Technology / Engineering

created Oct 05, 2009 | popularity 4.1 / 5 (7) | comments 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at the University of Utah, USA, have discovered that variations in signal strengths in wireless networks can be used to "see" movements of people on the other side of walls or ...


Graphite mimics iron's magnetism

Graphite mimics iron's magnetism

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Oct 04, 2009 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (17) | comments 1

Researchers of Eindhoven University of Technology and the Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands show for the first time why ordinary graphite is a permanent magnet at room temperature. The results ...


Energy-autonomous sensors for aircraft

Energy-autonomous sensors for aircraft

Technology / Engineering

created Oct 01, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Aircraft maintenance will be easier in future, with sensors monitoring the aircraft skin. If they discover any dents or cracks they will send a radio message to a monitoring unit. The energy needed for this ...


High-tech nuke detectors check Puget Sound small vessels for WMD

Technology / Other

created Sep 28, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 2

More than 300 trained maritime law enforcement and first responder personnel from federal, state, local and tribal agencies participated in an operational maritime exercise in Puget Sound this week. Maritime law enforcement ...


Electrical engineer working to improve monitoring systems

Technology / Engineering

created Sep 25, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- An old man walks down the stairs in his home. Suddenly, he trips and falls. No one is home to help him. But soon he hears the reassuring clanging of approaching sirens. The surveillance system installed in ...