As one of the three pillars of modern information technology, sensors play a vital role in the fields of Internet of Things, intelligent manufacturing, intelligent transportation, medical health, etc. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, sensor technology is developing in the direction of intelligence, miniaturization, multi-function, integration and networking, showing broad application prospects and unlimited innovation potential.
Current status of sensor technology development
A sensor is a device or apparatus that can sense a specified measured quantity and convert it into a usable output signal according to a certain rule. It is usually composed of sensitive elements, conversion elements and conditioning circuits, and can convert physical, chemical, biological and other non-electrical information into electrical signals to meet the needs of information transmission and processing. Since its birth, sensor technology has gone through three development stages: structural, physical and intelligent. It is currently in a period of rapid development of smart sensors.
The global sensor market continues to expand. In 2022, the global smart sensor market has reached US$41.86 billion, and is expected to reach US$57.25 billion in 2025. Although China's sensor industry started late, it has developed rapidly. In 2023, the market size reached 179.6 billion yuan, an increase of 14.32% from 2022, and is expected to reach 230 billion yuan in 2025.
Emerging Trends
1. Intelligence
Intelligent sensors are an important direction for the development of sensor technology. They not only have the detection functions of traditional sensors, but also have self-diagnosis, data processing and self-adaptation capabilities. By integrating microprocessors, memory and interface circuits, intelligent sensors can process and analyze the collected data in real time, and make decisions and responses according to preset algorithms.
For example, in the automotive field, intelligent sensors can be used to identify traffic signs, detect obstacles and warn lane departures to help achieve autonomous driving. As a key component in autonomous vehicle prototype systems, lidar scanners are widely used in systems such as adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance systems, and traffic sign recognition. LiDAR-based systems can work normally without other sensors, acting as the "eyes" of the vehicle, and need to have independent safety and environmental adaptation functions, such as operating in a temperature range of -40 to 125°C and having the best signal-to-noise ratio.
2. Miniaturization
With the development of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, sensors are moving towards miniaturization. MEMS sensors are manufactured using microelectronics and micromachining technology. They are small, light, low cost, low power consumption, high reliability, suitable for mass production, easy to integrate and intelligent.
For example, smartphones are equipped with more than ten kinds of micro sensors such as light sensors, distance sensors, gravity sensors, gyroscopes, GPS, fingerprint sensors, etc. These micro sensors can not only realize various functions, but also provide the possibility for the thin and light design of smartphones.
3. Multifunctionality
Multifunctional sensors can detect multiple physical or chemical quantities at the same time, which improves the comprehensive performance and application value of sensors. For example, combined sensors are used to monitor multiple parameters. In addition to places that are difficult to reach, they are also used in closed-loop automation applications. Sensors such as temperature + humidity, pressure + flow, vibration + acceleration + deceleration are the most deployed combined sensors.
In industrial production, multifunctional sensors can monitor multiple parameters such as temperature, pressure, vibration, etc. of equipment in real time. Through comprehensive analysis of these parameters, hidden faults of equipment can be discovered in time, predictive maintenance of equipment can be realized, and equipment downtime costs can be reduced.
4. Integration
Sensor integration refers to integrating multiple sensors into one chip or system to achieve the coordinated work of multiple functions. Integrated sensors have the advantages of small size, low power consumption and stable performance, which can meet the requirements of modern electronic equipment for miniaturization, integration and high performance of sensors.
For example, some smart sensor terminals integrate multiple sensors together, such as integrating accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, etc. on one chip, to achieve accurate detection of the motion state of objects. At the same time, sensors can also be integrated with other electronic components such as microcontrollers and memories to form a complete sensor system, which improves the overall performance and reliability of the system.
5. Networking
With the rapid development of Internet of Things technology, sensor networking has become an inevitable trend. Networked sensors can transmit the collected data to the network through wired or wireless means to achieve interconnection and data sharing between sensors.
For example, in smart buildings, a large number of sensors can monitor the air quality, light intensity, smoke concentration, temperature changes and other data inside the building in real time, and transmit these data to the central control system through the network. The central control system can intelligently control the equipment in the building based on these data, such as automatically adjusting the air conditioning temperature, controlling the lighting brightness, etc., to achieve intelligent management of the building.
Innovative achievements
1. Application of new materials
The continuous emergence of new materials has brought new opportunities for the development of sensor technology. For example, graphene has excellent electrical, mechanical and thermal properties and is widely used in the preparation of gas sensors. Graphene-based gas sensors have the advantages of high sensitivity, fast response speed, good stability, etc., and can detect extremely low concentrations of gas.
Metamaterials are artificial materials with special physical properties and have broad application prospects in the field of biosensors. Metamaterial biosensors can identify the composition of materials through the unique spectrum of materials, have high sensitivity and high selectivity, and can achieve rapid and accurate detection of biological molecules.
2. Energy harvesting technology
In order to achieve self-powered sensors, energy harvesting technology has been widely studied and applied. Energy harvesters can generate electricity from multiple sources such as solar energy, vibration, and thermal energy to provide continuous energy supply for sensors.
For example, LordMicrostrain has developed a new method that uses piezoelectric materials to convert strain energy into electrical energy storage to provide independent and continuous power supply for sensors. This energy harvesting technology allows sensors to work stably for a long time without an external power supply, expanding the application range of sensors.
3. Fusion of artificial intelligence and sensors
The development of artificial intelligence technology provides strong support for the intelligent upgrade of sensors. By embedding artificial intelligence algorithms into sensors, sensors can realize real-time analysis and processing of collected data, and realize intelligent decision-making and adaptive control.
For example, in the field of medical health, wearable sensors combined with artificial intelligence algorithms can monitor human vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. in real time, and analyze and diagnose these data, timely detect potential health problems, and provide personalized health advice.
4. Flexible sensors
Flexible sensors are an important direction for the development of sensors in the future. It has the characteristics of softness, bendability, and stretchability, and can fit irregular surfaces to detect parameters such as object shape, pressure, and temperature.
At present, flexible optical sensors, pH sensors, ion sensors, and biosensors are still in the early stages of development. In the future, these flexible sensors will have more innovative applications, such as artificial skin, wearable sensors, and micro-motion sensing. Through micro-wire technology and magnetic fields, flexible sensors can be as thin as hair, yet flexible, without power supply, and can measure temperature, pressure, tension, stress, torsion, and position contactlessly.
Future Outlook
The future development prospects of sensor technology are very broad. With the continuous emergence and application of emerging technologies, sensors will play an important role in more fields. In the field of intelligent transportation, sensors will realize real-time communication and collaborative control between vehicles and vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure, and improve traffic efficiency and safety; in the field of medical health, sensors will realize early diagnosis and personalized treatment of diseases, and improve people's health level; in the field of industrial manufacturing, sensors will realize intelligent monitoring and optimization control of production processes, and improve production efficiency and product quality.
At the same time, the development of sensor technology will also face some challenges. For example, how to improve the accuracy, reliability and stability of sensors, how to reduce the cost and power consumption of sensors, and how to solve the compatibility and interoperability problems between sensors. In order to meet these challenges, it is necessary to strengthen the basic research of sensor technology, promote interdisciplinary cooperation and innovation, and cultivate high-quality professionals.
As an important part of modern information technology, sensor technology is developing towards intelligence, miniaturization, multi-function, integration and networking. The continuous emergence of emerging trends and innovative achievements will bring new opportunities and challenges to the development of sensor technology. We have reason to believe that in the future development, sensor technology will play a more important role in various fields and make greater contributions to the development and progress of human society.
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