FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE SENSOR SYSTEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING
First Claim
1. A flexible substrate sensor system for detecting a parameter, analyte or characteristic of interest in a large volume of fluid or in or on a large volume solid comprising:
- a. a plurality of sensors;
b. a flexible substrate;
c. a network; and
d. a connection between the sensors and the network,wherein;
the network reads out the sensors or collects information from the sensors,the plurality of sensors is optimized for volume sampling or sampling the surface of the volume,the optimization of the plurality of sensors comprises conforming the plurality to a specific geometry of a measurement environment or condition of interest,the plurality of sensors is embedded, incorporated or encapsulated in or on the flexible substrate, andthe connection comprises a communication bus.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system utilizing flexible electronics for on-line real-time high-sensitivity sampling, monitoring, and analysis of a parameter or analyte of interest in a fluid or in or on a solid is provided. The flexible substrate sensor system comprises a plurality of sensors, a flexible substrate, a network, and a connection between the sensors and the network, wherein the network reads out or collects information from the sensors. The network can be onboard, connected by via a physical connection to the sensors and the flexible substrate, or external to the sensors and flexible substrate, connected via a telemetric or wireless connection to the sensors. The flexible substrate sensor system can be deployed in systems that conduct or distribute fluids or solids, such as distribution systems (municipal water systems, oil or gas pipeline systems), industrial systems (production facilities, piping, and storage systems), and large structures (dams, bridges, walkways, buildings).
59 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A flexible substrate sensor system for detecting a parameter, analyte or characteristic of interest in a large volume of fluid or in or on a large volume solid comprising:
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a. a plurality of sensors; b. a flexible substrate; c. a network; and d. a connection between the sensors and the network, wherein; the network reads out the sensors or collects information from the sensors, the plurality of sensors is optimized for volume sampling or sampling the surface of the volume, the optimization of the plurality of sensors comprises conforming the plurality to a specific geometry of a measurement environment or condition of interest, the plurality of sensors is embedded, incorporated or encapsulated in or on the flexible substrate, and the connection comprises a communication bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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14. (canceled)
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19. A method for detecting the presence or activity of an analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest in a large volume of fluid or in or on a large volume solid comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a flexible substrate sensor system wherein the flexible substrate sensor system comprises a plurality of sensors, a flexible substrate, a network and a connection between the sensors and the network, wherein; the network reads out the sensors or collects information from the sensors, the plurality of sensors is optimized for volume sampling, the optimization of the plurality of sensors comprises conforming the plurality to a specific geometry of a measurement environment or condition of interest, the plurality of sensors is embedded, incorporated or encapsulated in or on the flexible substrate, and the connection comprises a communication bus; b. contacting the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest with the flexible substrate sensor system, the flexible substrate sensor system when in contact with the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest producing a detectable signal that correlates with the presence or activity of the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest; and c. correlating the detectable signal with the presence or activity of the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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20. (canceled)
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25. A method for detecting an analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest in a large volume of fluid or in or on a large volume solid, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a flexible substrate sensor system wherein the flexible substrate sensor system comprises a plurality of sensors, a flexible substrate, a network and a connection between the sensors and the network, wherein; the network reads out the sensors or collects information from the sensors, the plurality of sensors is optimized for volume sampling, the optimization of the plurality of sensors comprises conforming the plurality to a specific geometry of a measurement environment or condition of interest, the plurality of sensors is embedded, incorporated or encapsulated in or on the flexible substrate, and the connection comprises a communication bus; b. contacting the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest with the flexible substrate sensor system, wherein the contacting of the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest with the flexible substrate sensor system produces a detectable signal that correlates with the presence or activity of the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest; and c. correlating the detectable signal with the analyte, parameter or characteristic of interest. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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26. (canceled)
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32. (canceled)
Specification