Thread: Battery-free wireless sensors

GE Global Research hC;ls announced a battery-free raditl:frequency identification (RFID) sensing platform that responds selectively to multiple chemicals under variable conditions. The sensors are built on traditional RFID tags and can be designed to be smaller than a penny and manufactured at very low cost. This could enable many exciting product applications, including new security sensors, in-the-field water purification monitoring, food and beverage safety monitoring, portable vaccine manufacturing and emissions monitoring at power plants.



Says Radislav Potyrailo, a principal scientist, GE Global Research, "Because these sensors can be made at such low cost, they also can be made for one time use. Similar to how your groceries get scanned for a price, imagine pointing a handheld sensor reader at a milk carton or packaged food to see whether it has been spoiled."
To operate without batteries, the sensor derives power wirelessly from the sensor reader. The reader activates the sensor antenna and the RFID chip and collects several response data parameters. The measurement of these parameters provides the ability to selectively detect different chemicals with an individual sensor.