Integrated Temperature and Humidity Sensor Using Dual Sensor Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-cost integrated flexible temperature and humidity sensors are not currently available in the market, limiting the ability to effectively measure environmental temperature and fluid relative vapour pressure.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus comprising first and second sensor elements, where the first sensor material's electrical property is dependent on temperature and the second sensor material's electrical property is dependent on relative vapour pressure, allowing for combined measurements to determine temperature and fluid relative vapour pressure, using pseudo two-dimensional platelets with different interstitial spacings and potentially the same oxide material with varying oxidation states or functional groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If combined temperature and humidity sensors are implemented, then environmental sensing capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature sensing and humidity sensing capabilities into a single integrated sensor device. The first sensor element measures temperature while the second sensor element measures humidity, and both are integrated within the same apparatus structure, allowing simultaneous environmental monitoring without requiring separate independent sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor apparatus performs multiple functions simultaneously - it can measure both temperature and humidity (or relative vapour pressure) using the same device structure. The first and second sensor elements work together within a single apparatus to provide comprehensive environmental sensing, making the device universal for various environmental monitoring applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If integrated temperature and humidity sensors are developed, then sensing functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into distinct first and second sensor elements, each with specific sensor materials optimized for their respective measurements. This segmentation allows for specialized material selection and fabrication processes for each element while maintaining overall integration, potentially reducing manufacturing complexity compared to a fully integrated single-material sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different sensor materials in the first and second sensor elements to achieve both temperature and humidity sensing capabilities. By using composite material structures with distinct functional layers, the sensor can leverage the advantageous properties of each material for its specific sensing function while maintaining cost-effectiveness through targeted material deployment.
3Measurement precision
If sensor materials with different interstitial spacings are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but material fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first sensor material and second sensor material are designed with different interstitial spacings optimized for their specific sensing functions. The first material's interstitial spacing is optimized for temperature sensing while the second material's interstitial spacing is optimized for humidity or vapour pressure sensing. This local optimization of material properties at different locations within the sensor enhances measurement accuracy for each parameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and cost-effective measurement of temperature and fluid relative vapour pressure, with the apparatus being suitable for integration into portable electronic devices, providing a low-cost solution for environmental sensing.
Implementation Method 1
the first sensor material is configured such that an electrical property of the first sensor material is dependent upon the temperature of the environment
Implementation Method 2
the second sensor material is configured such that the same electrical property of the second sensor material is dependent upon the relative vapour pressure of a fluid in the environment
Implementation Method 3
the first and second sensor materials each comprise a stack of pseudo two-dimensional platelets having an interstitial spacing, and wherein the interstitial spacing of the pseudo two-dimensional platelets in the first sensor material is different from the interstitial spacing of the pseudo two-dimensional platelets in the second sensor material
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An apparatus (409) comprising first and second sensor elements (403, 404), the first sensor element (403) comprising a first sensor material (405) and the second sensor element (404) comprising a second sensor material (408), wherein the first sensor material (405) is configured such that an electrical property of the first sensor material (405) is dependent upon the temperature of the environment in which the first and second sensor elements (403, 404) are located, and the second sensor material (408) is configured such that the same electrical property of the second sensor material (408) is dependent upon the relative vapour pressure of a fluid in the environment in which the first and second sensor elements (403, 404) are located, the respective temperature and fluid relative vapour pressure dependencies of the first and second sensor materials (405, 408) allowing the temperature and fluid relative vapour pressure of the environment to be determined based on combined measurements of the electrical property of the first and second sensor materials (405, 408) in the environment.