Polymer Humidity Sensor Using RFID for Remote Interrogation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for low-cost, simple environmental sensors that can be remotely interrogated, particularly for humidity and pH monitoring, as existing sensing systems require expensive hardware and are not cost-effective for everyday applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing a switchable polymeric element with a polymeric matrix and water-soluble electrolyte, which changes electrical states in response to environmental changes such as humidity and pH, integrated with an RFID tag for remote communication, enabling cost-effective and efficient monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensing systems are used, then sensing performance and reliability are improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing hardware with a passive polymeric sensor that utilizes inherent material properties (swelling/shrinking in response to humidity) to modulate RF signal characteristics. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive sensor electronics while maintaining sensing functionality through the polymeric element's physical-chemical response to environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the polymeric element's physical swelling and shrinking as a natural copy or representation of humidity levels, where the material's dimensional change directly encodes environmental information that can be read remotely via RF signals, eliminating the need for complex transduction mechanisms.
2Reliability
If traditional sensing systems are used, then sensing performance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive polymeric materials and water-soluble electrolytes that can be manufactured at low cost using simple fabrication processes. The sensor design accepts that the sensing element may be consumable or temporary, focusing on providing adequate performance for the intended application lifecycle at minimal cost.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing expensive electronic sensing components with passive polymeric materials that respond naturally to humidity, the patent dramatically reduces bill of materials costs while maintaining functional performance through the material's inherent environmental response.
3Measurement precision
If complex sensing hardware is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the polymeric sensor to be universally readable by any RF-capable device (smartphones, RFID readers, wireless sensors), eliminating the need for specialized interrogation equipment. The sensor works across multiple communication protocols and devices, greatly simplifying operation while maintaining measurement precision through the polymeric element's reliable physical response.
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
The sensor system provides reliable and cost-effective monitoring of environmental changes, allowing for remote interrogation using smartphones or other devices, addressing the need for affordable and efficient environmental sensing.
Implementation Method 1
The polymeric element has at least a first electrical state and a second electrical state and is switchable between the first and second electrical states as a function of predefined environmental changes
Implementation Method 2
a water soluble electrolyte embedded in the polymeric matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor comprises: an electrically comprises a switchable polymeric element. The polymeric element has at least a first electrical state and a second electrical state and is switchable between the first and second electrical states as a function of predefined environmental changes. The sensor comprises a polymeric matrix and a water soluble electrolyte embedded in the polymeric matrix.