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Review
. 2023 May 3;23(9):4457.
doi: 10.3390/s23094457.

Multi-Transduction-Mechanism Technology, an Emerging Approach to Enhance Sensor Performance

Youssef Ezzat Elnemr  1 , Aya Abu-Libdeh  1 , Gian Carlo Antony Raj  1 , Yumna Birjis  1 , Haleh Nazemi  1 , Pavithra Munirathinam  1 , Arezoo Emadi  1
Affiliations
Review

Multi-Transduction-Mechanism Technology, an Emerging Approach to Enhance Sensor Performance

Youssef Ezzat Elnemr et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Conventional sensor systems employ single-transduction technology where they respond to an input stimulus and transduce the measured parameter into a readable output signal. As such, the technology can only provide limited corresponding data of the detected parameters due to relying on a single transformed output signal for information acquisition. This limitation commonly results in the need for utilizing sensor array technology to detect targeted parameters in complex environments. Multi-transduction-mechanism technology, on the other hand, may combine more than one transduction mechanism into a single structure. By employing this technology, sensors can be designed to simultaneously distinguish between different input signals from complex environments for greater degrees of freedom. This allows a multi-parameter response, which results in an increased range of detection and improved signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, utilizing a multi-transduction-mechanism approach can achieve miniaturization by reducing the number of required sensors in an array, providing further miniaturization and enhanced performance. This paper introduces the concept of multi-transduction-mechanism technology by exploring different candidate combinations of fundamental transduction mechanisms such as piezoresistive, piezoelectric, triboelectric, capacitive, and inductive mechanisms.

Keywords: capacitive; electronic nose; energy harvesting; hybrid nanogenerators; microelectromechanical systems; multi-transduction; piezoelectric; sensor; transduction mechanisms; triboelectric.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of a dual-transduction MEMS sensor employing piezoelectricity and piezoresistivity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Working principle, design, and structural parameters of a capacitive–piezoresistive sensor for proximity and large pressure applications.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic diagram of capacitive–piezoelectric DFUT.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic representation of TENG working modes. The relative motion between the triboelectric materials determines the mode of operation.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Working principle of a hybrid piezoelectric triboelectric nanogenerator based on a cantilever structure.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Schematic diagram of hybrid energy harvester.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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