A micromachined magnetic field sensing system capable of measuring the direction of the Earths magnetic field has been fabricated, measured, and characterized. The system is composed of a micromachined silicon resonator combined with a permanent magnet, excitation and sensing coils, and a magnetic feedback loop. Electromagnetic excitation of the mechanical resonator enables it to operate with very low power consumption and low excitation voltage. The interaction between an external magnetic field surrounding the sensor and the permanent magnet generates a rotating torque on the silicon resonator disc, changing the effective stiffness of the beams and therefore the resonant frequency of the sensor. MEMS-based mechanically-resonant sensors, in which the sensor resonant frequency shifts in response to the measurand, are widely utilized. Such sensors are typically operated in their linear resonant regime. However, substantial improvements in resonant sensor performance can be obtained by designing the sensors to operate far into their nonlinear regime. This effect is illustrated through the use of a magnetically-torqued, rotationally-resonant MEMS platform. Platform structural parameters such as beam width and number of beams are parametrically varied subject to the constraint of constant small-deflection resonant frequency. Nonlinear performance improvement characterization is performed both analytically as well as with Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation, and confirmed with measurement results. These nonlinearity based sensitivity enhancement mechanisms are utilized in the device design. The complete magnetic sensing system consumes less than 200 microwatts of power in continuous operation, and is capable of sensing the direction of the Earths magnetic field. Such low power consumption levels enable continuous magnetic field sensing for portable electronics and potentially wristwatch applications, thereby enabling personal navigation and motion sensing functionalities. A total system power consumption of 138W and a resonator actuation voltage of 4mVpp from the 1.2V power supply have been demonstrated with capability of measuring the direction of the Earths magnetic field. Sensitivities of 0.009, 0.086, and 0.196 [mHz/(Hz and #903;degree)] for the Earths magnetic field were measured for 3, 4, and 6 beam structures, respectively.

This thesis presents a fully integratable read-out front-end for recording from piezoelectric sensors. It is proposed to periodically reset the input signal to avoid build-up of large voltages across the circuit input terminals. Digitizing the signal after buffering allows removal of the reset steps in the digital domain, thus yielding a faithful representation of the applied input force variation. Different realignment algorithms are presented in this thesis, and the measured results as well as the simulated results from a bench setup are reported which confirm a 52.5 dB dynamic range and recording of frequencies as low as 0.55 Hz. It is also shown the effect of input current leakage is reduced. The proposed system is simulated using the Cadence Spectre simulator, Synopsys HSPICE and National Instruments LabVIEW to confirm its operation. Different realignment algorithms are examined using MATLAB. The read-out circuit is further realized by 0.35 £gm 2-poly 4-metal Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) process technology. The chip measured results are reported and compared to the simulation. The measured implementation yields a pressure recording range of 0.4 N to 169 N, while consuming 230 £gW from 3 V supplies.

Molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs) and vibrational electronics (“vibronics”) have developed into novel scenarios proposed by our group to process information at the molecular level. They along with the traditional current-voltage scenario can be used to design and develop molecular devices for the next generation electronics. Control and communication features of these scenarios strongly help in the production of “smart” devices able to take decisions and act autonomously in aggressive environments. In sensor science, the ultimate detector of an agent molecule is another molecule that can respond quickly and selectively among several agents. The purpose of this project is the design and development of molecular sensors based on the MEPs and vibronics scenarios to feature two different and distinguishable states of conductance, including a nano-micro interface to address and interconnect the output from the molecular world to standard micro-technologies. In this dissertation, theoretical calculations of the electrical properties such as the electron transport on molecular junctions are performed for the components of the sensor system. Proofs of concept experiments complement our analysis, which includes an electrical characterization of the devices and measurement of conductance states that may be useful for the sensing mechanism. In order to focus this work within the very broad array between nanoelectronic and molecular electronics, we define the new field of Molecular Engineering, which will have the mission to design molecular and atomistic devices and set them into useful systems. Our molecular engineering approach begins with a search for an optimum fit material to achieve the proposed goals; our published results suggest graphene as the best material to read signals from molecules, amplify the communication between molecular scenarios, and develop sensors of molecular agents with high sensitivity and selectivity. Specifically, this is possible in the case of sensors, thanks to the graphene atomic cross section (morphology), plasmonic surface (delocalized charge) and exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. Deliverables from this work are molecular devices and amplifiers able to read information encoded and processed at the molecular level and to amplify those signals to levels compatible with standard microelectronics. This design of molecular devices is a primordial step in the development of devices at the nanometer scale, which promises the next generation of sensors of chemical and biological agents molecularly sensitive, selective and intelligent.

The main purpose of the optical fiber sensing technology is to detect perturbation of physical fields. By means of some demodulating scheme, we can extract the real signal from those light beams which modified by physical fields. In the thesis, we proposed a configuration of modified Sagnac Interferometer as a sensing system. The optical sensing and demodulation system are exploited separately. Next, we study the advantages and disadvantages of the configuration. Besides, we are also measured the sensitivity and dynamic range. The sensing system used a low coherence light source to reduce cost. This system also improves the shortage of a Sagnac Interferometer which has a blind point in the middle position. In addition, the structure is easily implemented and can detect weak signal in a high noisy water environment. For matching the main structure, we make many kinds of sensing heads for detecting signals under water. We also use the mathematical model as the base of the theory. The dynamic range is 40 dB and the sensitivity is -231.47 dB re V/uPa.

[N,N??-bis-(mercaptoethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctanato]NiII, Ni-1, is known to undergo metallation reactions with numerous metals. [N,N??-bis-(mercaptoethyl)-1,5-diazacycloheptanato]NiII, (bme-dach)Ni or Ni-1??, differs from Ni-1 by one less carbon in its diazacycle backbone ring producing subtle differences in N2S2Ni geometry. Metallation of Ni-1?? with PdCl2, Pd(NO3)2, and NiBr2 produced three structural forms: Ni2Pd basket, Ni4Pd2 C4-paddlewheel, and Ni3 slant chair. In attempts to provide a rationale for the heterogeneity in the active site of Acetyl coA Synthase, metal ion capture studies of Ni-1 in methanol found a qualitative ranking of metal ion preference: Zn2+ < Ni2+ < Cu+. Formation constants for metal ion capture of Ni-1?? in water were determined for Pb2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cu+, and Ag+. A quantitative estimate places copper some 15 orders of magnitude above nickel or zinc in binding affinity. Sulfur dioxide uptake by Ni-1?? is characterized by significant color change, improved adduct solubility, and reversible binding of two equivalents of SO2. These combined properties establish Ni-1?? as a suitable model for gas uptake at nickel thiolate sites and as a possibly useful chemical sensor for this poisonous gas. Comparisons of molecular structures,&#61472; &#957;(SO) stretching frequencies, and thermal gravimetric analyses are made to reported adducts including the diazacyclooctane derivative, Ni-1&#903;2SO2. Visual SO2 detection limits of Ni-1 and Ni-1?? are established at 25 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. Structural studies of products resulting from reaction at the nucleophilic S-sites of (bme-dach)Ni and [(bme-dach)Zn]2 included acetyl chloride and sodium iodoacetate as electrophiles are shown. The acetyl group is a natural electrophile important to the citric acid cycle. Acetylation of (bme-dach)Ni produces a five coordinate, paramagnetic species. Iodoacetate is a cysteine modification agent known to inhibit enzymatic activity. The reaction of (bme-dach)Ni and sodium iodoacetate yields a blue, six coordinate nickel complex in a N2S2O2 donor environment. The bismercaptodiazacycloheptane ligand binds lead(II) forming an unprecedented structural form of N2S2M dimers, in which Pb2+ is largely bound to sulfur in a highly distorted trigonal geometry. Its unusual structure is described in comparison to other derivatives of the bme-daco ligand. The synthesis and structural characterization of square pyramidal (bme-dach)GaCl are also given and compared to the analogous (bme-daco)GaCl.

Methods to improve performance of sensors with regard to sensor nonlinearity, sensor noise and sensor bandwidths are investigated and new algorithms are developed. The necessity of the proposed research has evolved from the ever-increasing need for greater precision and improved reliability in sensor measurements. After describing the current state of the art of sensor related issues like nonlinearity and bandwidth, research goals are set to create a new trend on the usage of sensors. We begin the investigation with a detailed distortion analysis of nonlinear sensors. A need for e&#64259;cient distortion compensation procedures is further justi&#64257;ed by showing how a slight deviation from the linearity assumption leads to a very severe distortion in time and in frequency domains. It is argued that with a suitable distortion compensation technique the danger of having an in&#64257;nite bandwidth nonlinear sensory operation, which is dictated by nonlinear distortion, can be avoided. Several distortion compensation techniques are developed and their performance is validated by simulation and experimental results. Like any other model-based technique, modeling errors or model uncertainty a&#64256;ects performance of the proposed scheme, this leads to the innovation of robust signal reconstruction. A treatment for this problem is given and a novel technique, which uses a nominal model instead of an accurate model and produces the results that are robust to model uncertainty, is developed. The means to attain a high operating bandwidth are developed by utilizing several low bandwidth pass-band sensors. It is pointed out that instead of using a single sensor to measure a high bandwidth signal, there are many advantages of using an array of several pass-band sensors. Having shown that employment of sensor arrays is an economic incentive and practical, several multi-sensor fusion schemes are developed to facilitate their implementation. Another aspect of this dissertation is to develop means to deal with outliers in sensor measurements. As fault sensor data detection is an essential element of multi-sensor network implementation, which is used to improve system reliability and robustness, several sensor scheduling con&#64257;gurations are derived to identify and to remove outliers.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Ceramic and Materials Science and Engineering." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Carl A. Moore, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed 6/21/04). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.E.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). "June 2009." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-98). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010. / Committee Chair: Tsukruk, Vladimir; Committee Member: Shofner, Meisha; Committee Member: Srinivasarao, Mohan; Committee Member: Thio, Yonathan; Committee Member: Weissburg, Marc. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.