Very carefully might be your first response but there is a technical answer as well. The technical answer involves a design challenge called ElephantEdge to create the world’s most advanced tracker to protect elephants in their natural habitats from poachers, trophy hunters and habitat destruction. Supported by Hackster.io, an Avnet community, and Smart Parks, a […]
What is the Air Quality Index? Pt 3
AirNow and PurpleAir report the Air Quality Index (AQI) using different methodologies. With two different techniques to measure air quality (See Pt1), how does the data from the two approaches correlate? While AirNow’s monitors cost tens of thousands of dollars and require significant infrastructure and trained personnel to operate, PurpleAir’s sensors may only cost a […]
What is the Air Quality Index? Pt 2
With over 90 forest fires raging along the West Coast, you may feel safe and think you do not need to check the air quality index (AQI) if you don’t live in that region. Think again! A recent satellite image shows that the smoke already extends all the way to Michigan. Don’t smell any smoke? […]
What IS the Air Quality Index? Pt 1
Depending on where you live, your age, sensitivity to airborne constituents and other factors, the air quality index (AQI) could be something that you monitor frequently. In the U.S., the AQI developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a nationally uniform color-coded index for reporting air quality. Air agencies use the AQI report and […]
What is the MEMS report card for 2019?
Input for the 21st Annual MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card Study (for 2019) is currently being requested. Compiled by Roger Grace, President of Roger Grace Associates, the purpose of the Report Card is to provide microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry participants with an objective assessment of the critical success factors over time for MEMS and to […]
What is a Sensor HAT?
HAT is a three-letter acronym (TLA) for hardware attached on top: the terminology used for a hardware specification for add-on modules for the Raspberry Pi model B+. With a HAT, no soldering required, the module simply plugs onto the Raspberry Pi. Taking advantage of this design concept and the popularity of the Raspberry Pi, Avnet has introduced and […]
How can engineered substrates accelerate sensor designs?
Silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates are the starting point for fabricating many sensors. One company offering a portfolio of advanced engineered substrates presents an interesting design alternative to customers. IceMOS Technology Ltd of Belfast Northern Ireland has a very attractive alternative to unprocessed starting wafers. Outsourced engineered substrates enable a company to expand their MEMS […]
What can sensor companies do to cope with the new normal of COVID-19?
With the ongoing impact of Covid-19, its re-emergence in many regions and travel significantly affecting many companies, changes in some normal activities must be considered. According to Roger Grace, President of Roger Grace Associates, a MEMS and sensors industry marketing consultancy, marketers need to consider “pivoting” their marketing strategies and need to objectively assess what […]
How can printed sensors help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
In addition to wearing a mask and frequently washing your hands, social distancing provides the third leg of the COVID-19 prevention stool. Unlike in public settings, private companies have their own interest to ensure their employees and other customers are safe and social distancing is an undisputed deterrent for the virus. In fact, recent research […]
What is the secret sauce for wearables?
First, let’s consider the usual suspects: Type of sensor or sensors used: accelerometer, barometer, magnetometer, gyroscope and more Type of power source: battery, rechargeable battery, energy harvesting Other electronics to compute, store and conserve power consumption and more What the wearable does – measures and then communicates: activity tracker, electrocardiogram (ECG), fall detection, compass and […]
