Grzegorz Tarapata

The ink-jet printing humidity sorption sensor—modelling, design, technology and characterization

This paper presents a humidity sorption sensor made with an ink-jet printing technique. Nafion was applied as a humidity sorption material. After the presentation of sensor construction and sensor fabrication technology, a lot of effort has been made for detailed sensor tests and characterization. The sensor model based on a RC transmission line with distributed parameters (Jachowicz and Senturia 1981/1982 Sensors Actuators 2 171–86) has been carefully described and validated by a comparison with the sensor empirical parameters, measured in a broad range of measurement frequencies. On the basis of achieved results, some general conclusions for humidity sorption sensors on both the sensor fabrication technology and the sensor modelling have been made and presented in this paper.

A MEMS-based super fast dew point hygrometer—construction and medical applications

The paper shows how MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) technology and a modified principle of fast temperature control (by heat injection instead of careful control of cooling) can considerably improve the dynamic parameters of dew point hygrometers. Some aspects of MEMS-type integrated sensor construction and technology, whole measurement system design, the control algorithm to run the system as well as empirical dynamic parameters from the tests are discussed too. The hygrometer can easily obtain five to six measurements per second with an uncertainty of less than 0.3 K. The meter range is between ?10 ?C and 40 ?C dew point. In the second part of the paper (section 2), two different successful applications in medicine based on fast humidity measurements have been discussed. Some specific constructions of these super fast dew point hygrometers based on a MEMS sensor as well as limited empirical results from clinical tests have been reported too.

Smart sensors interface for wireless data and power transmission

The paper presents the interface designed for wireless data and power transmission. The interface operation idea was tested using build up hardware and software. The sample construction of the temperature sensor embedded with this type interface was designed. Measurements show that the sensor can be wirelessly supplied with energy and is capable to sent data (temperature readings) in 5 cm distance. The interface is universal and can be used after some modifications with any type of sensors.

Methodology and technological aspects of the flexible substrate preparation for ink-jet printing technology

The ink-jet printing technology becomes especially promising for wide volume of production of cheap sensors, consumable electronics and other dedicated applications of everyday life like smart packaging, smart textiles, smart labels, etc. To achieve this goal new materials compatible with ink-jet printing should be developed. Currently on the market there is a growing number of inks with different properties, but their use requires many tests related to its printability and their interaction with other materials. The paper presents technological problems that are encountered by people associated with fabrication of various devices with using of inkjet printing techniques. Results presented in the paper show the influence of surface preparation techniques on the quality of achieved shapes, the impact of other materials already deposited and the impact of another external factors. During carried out experiments the printer Dimatix DMP 2831 and several inks base on nanosilver or dielectric UV curable was used.

Characterization of inkjet-printing HF and UHF antennas for RFID applications

The aim of this work was to perform a set of RFID antennas on flexible plastic substrates designed for range of HF and UHF band. The samples was fabricated using inkjet printing technology and conductive material base on silver nanopartilces ink. Fabricated antennas have been characterized, and the results were compared with the parameters of antennas made with usage of classical PCB technology on FR4 laminate with copper metallization. The paper presents studies on the impact of elastic substrates and conductive materials on antennas electrical parameters, as well as the communication range of the resulting RFID tags. During the experiment two patterns of HF and three patterns of UHF antennas was examined and the antennas was realized on different types of substrates, such as PET, Kapton® and FR4.

Autocalibration of Dew Point Hygrometer Based on Integrated Semiconductor Detector

The autocalibration procedure of the fast dew point hygrometer based on integrated semiconductor dew detector is presented in the paper. Proposed method is based on detector threshold level setting at 98% of difference between maximal impedance (dry detector) and minimal impedance (fully wet detector). The threshold value was set experimentally by analyzing of detector impedance characteristic in the region close to dew point. Tests of the device proved efficiency of proposed method.

Evaluation of water barrier function of human skin using super fast dew point hygrometer

A new idea of transepidermal water loss factor measurement is presented in the report. Constructed measurement system is base on fast dew point hygrometer with close chamber. For better skin parameterisation, an electrical model of water vapour evaporation through the skin was developed and presented in the paper. Both the experimental results of the dew point hygrometer tests as well as test examination results are shown.

Diagnostic system with database application for laryngological and dermatological disorders

This article describes the design and construction of a diagnostic system for laryngological and dermatological disorders. Searching for both solutions based on a dew point hygrometer with a semiconductor structure introduced. Some constructional solutions like the framework of a computer application for both systems are similar but the measurement approach is different. The major emphasis is put on the database applications dedicated for medical doctors. The database application which is a common part in both systems and also measurement devices together, create a diagnostic system which has been designed and constructed. Both systems have been tested in a hospital with the assistance of doctors specialized in this subjects. In the near future, the system will enable the analysis between achieved data and different disorders.

The ink-jet printing of microstrip lines on ferroelectric ceramic-polymer composites and its characterization in sub-THz range

In this paper the application of the ink-jet printing technology to microstrip line fabrication on tunable ferroelectric ceramic-polymer composites for devices operating at sub-terahertz range have been presented. Measurement results shown that the designed material is usable for creating structures able to tune some their electromagnetic characteristics. Relatively low temperature technology process (ink-jet printing technology) is able to deposit conductive lines on the ceramic polymer. The ink-jet printed silver microstrip lines can operate at sub-terahertz range.

Microcontroller-based portable device for seeds moisture measurements

The paper describes construction of a new specialized hygrometer and dedicated applications for data acquisition and analyzing that can be used for seeds moisture measurements. To find the correlation between seeds water content and measurements results obtained from the device the weight method was applied. This paper shows preliminary results from tests of fully functional system allowing estimation in a very easy end fast way of the water content in germinating seeds without seeds destruction.