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18 pages, 41338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From CySkin to ProxySKIN: Design, Implementation and Testing of a Multi-Modal Robotic Skin for Human–Robot Interaction

by Francesco Giovinazzo, Francesco Grella, Marco Sartore, Manuela Adami, Riccardo Galletti and Giorgio Cannata

Sensors 2024, 24(4), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24041334 - 19 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1102

Abstract

The Industry 5.0 paradigm has a human-centered vision of the industrial scenario and foresees a close collaboration between humans and robots. Industrial manufacturing environments must be easily adaptable to different task requirements, possibly taking into account the ergonomics and production line flexibility. Therefore, [...] Read more.

The Industry 5.0 paradigm has a human-centered vision of the industrial scenario and foresees a close collaboration between humans and robots. Industrial manufacturing environments must be easily adaptable to different task requirements, possibly taking into account the ergonomics and production line flexibility. Therefore, external sensing infrastructures such as cameras and motion capture systems may not be sufficient or suitable as they limit the shop floor reconfigurability and increase setup costs. In this paper, we present the technological advancements leading to the realization of ProxySKIN, a skin-like sensory system based on networks of distributed proximity sensors and tactile sensors. This technology is designed to cover large areas of the robot body and to provide a comprehensive perception of the surrounding space. ProxySKIN architecture is built on top of CySkin, a flexible artificial skin conceived to provide robots with the sense of touch, and arrays of Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors. We provide a characterization of the arrays of proximity sensors and we motivate the design choices that lead to ProxySKIN, analyzing the effects of light interference on a ToF, due to the activity of other sensing devices. The obtained results show that a large number of proximity sensors can be embedded in our distributed sensing architecture and incorporated onto the body of a robotic platform, opening new scenarios for complex applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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11 pages, 2002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Positively Charged Organosilanes Covalently Linked to the Silica Network as Modulating Tools for the Salinity Correction of pH Values Obtained with Colorimetric Sensor Arrays (CSAs)

by Andrea Pastore, Denis Badocco, Luca Cappellin, Mauro Tubiana and Paolo Pastore

Sensors 2024, 24(2), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24020417 - 10 Jan 2024

Viewed by 634

Abstract

Seven increasing levels of water salinity from 0.029 to 0.600 M (as NaCl) were used to investigate the dependence of pH measurement, performed using colorimetric sensor arrays (CSAs), on ionic strength. The CSAs were arrays of sensing spots prepared in the form of [...] Read more.

Seven increasing levels of water salinity from 0.029 to 0.600 M (as NaCl) were used to investigate the dependence of pH measurement, performed using colorimetric sensor arrays (CSAs), on ionic strength. The CSAs were arrays of sensing spots prepared in the form of sol–gel-embedding Bromothymol Blue (BB) and Bromocresol Green (BCG) in a porous nitrocellulose support. The support was impregnated over the entire thickness (≈100 µm), allowing for the signal (Hue) acquisition on the opposite side to the contact with the sample solution. Three CSAs were prepared, M1, M2, and M3. M1 contained a free cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate (CTApTs), for modulating the

{p K}_{a}

of the indicators. In M2, the surfactant dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (DTSACl) was covalently bonded to the sol–gel. M3 was prepared like M2 but using a larger amount of ethanol as the solvent for the synthesis. The modulation of the CTApTs or the DTSACl concentration enabled the tuning of the

{p K}_{a}

. In general, the

{p K}_{a}

modulation ability decreased with the increase in salinity. The presence of a surfactant covalently linked to the backbone partially reduced the competitiveness of the anionic species, improving the results. Nevertheless, the salt effect was still present, and a correction algorithm was required. Between pH 5.00 and 12.00, this correction could be made automatically by using spots taken as references to produce sensors independent of salinity. As the salt effect is virtually absent above 0.160 M, M2 and M3 can be used for future applications in seawater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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18 pages, 3965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

LSTM-Based Virtual Load Sensor for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

by Abdurrahman İşbitirici, Laura Giarré, Wen Xu and Paolo Falcone

Sensors 2024, 24(1), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24010226 - 30 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 910

Abstract

In this paper, a special recurrent neural network (RNN) called Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) is used to design a virtual load sensor that estimates the mass of heavy vehicles. The estimation algorithm consists of a two-layer LSTM network. The network estimates vehicle mass [...] Read more.

In this paper, a special recurrent neural network (RNN) called Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) is used to design a virtual load sensor that estimates the mass of heavy vehicles. The estimation algorithm consists of a two-layer LSTM network. The network estimates vehicle mass based on vehicle speed, longitudinal acceleration, engine speed, engine torque, and accelerator pedal position. The network is trained and tested with a data set collected in a high-fidelity simulation environment called Truckmaker. The training data are generated in acceleration maneuvers across a range of speeds, while the test data are obtained by simulating the vehicle in the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC). Preliminary results show that, with the proposed approach, heavy-vehicle mass can be estimated as accurately as commercial load sensors across a range of load mass as wide as four tons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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15 pages, 7061 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electronics and Detectors for the Stellar Intensity Interferometer of the ASTRI Mini-Array Telescopes

by Giovanni Bonanno, Luca Zampieri, Giampiero Naletto, Lorenzo Paoletti, Giuseppe Romeo, Pietro Bruno, Alessandro Grillo, Gianfranco Occhipinti, Maria Cristina Timpanaro, Carmelo Gargano, Michele Fiori, Gabriele Rodeghiero, Giovanni Pareschi, Salvatore Scuderi and Gino Tosti

Sensors 2023, 23(24), 9840; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23249840 - 15 Dec 2023

Viewed by 737

Abstract

The ASTRI Mini-Array is an international collaboration led by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) that will operate nine telescopes to perform Cherenkov and optical stellar intensity interferometry (SII) observations. At the focal plane of these telescopes, we are planning to install [...] Read more.

The ASTRI Mini-Array is an international collaboration led by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) that will operate nine telescopes to perform Cherenkov and optical stellar intensity interferometry (SII) observations. At the focal plane of these telescopes, we are planning to install a stellar intensity interferometry instrument. Here we present the selected design, based on Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors matching the telescope point spread function together with dedicated front-end electronics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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10 pages, 3047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sensitive and Compact Evanescent-Waveguide Optical Detector for Sugar Sensing in Commercial Beverages

by Alessio Buzzin, Rita Asquini, Domenico Caputo and Giampiero de Cesare

Sensors 2023, 23(19), 8184; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23198184 - 30 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 812

Abstract

This work presents a compact and sensitive refractive index sensor able to evaluate the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Its working principle leverages on the changes in the optical absorption features introduced by the sample itself on the evanescent waves of [...] Read more.

This work presents a compact and sensitive refractive index sensor able to evaluate the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Its working principle leverages on the changes in the optical absorption features introduced by the sample itself on the evanescent waves of a light beam. The device’s high compactness is achieved by embedding the sample–light interaction site and the detector in a 1 cm² glass substrate, thanks to microelectronics technologies. High sensitivity is obtained by employing a low-noise p-i-n hydrogenated amorphous silicon junction, whose manufacture process requires only four UV lithographic steps on a glass substrate, thus ensuring low production costs. The system’s capabilities are investigated by sensing the sugar content in three commercial beverages. Sensitivities of 32, 53 and 80 pA/% and limits of detection of 47, 29 and 18 ppm are achieved. The above performance is comparable with state-of-the-art results available in the literature, where more complex optical setups, expensive instrumentation and bulky devices are used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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9 pages, 857 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sensing of Catecholamine in Human Urine Using a Simple Colorimetric Assay Based on Direct Melanochrome and Indolequinone Formation

by Mariagrazia Lettieri, Michele Spinelli, Laura Caponi, Simona Scarano, Pasquale Palladino, Angela Amoresano and Maria Minunni

Sensors 2023, 23(8), 3971; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23083971 - 13 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1338

Abstract

We used the first enzyme-free synthesis and stabilization of soluble melanochrome (MC) and 5,6-indolequinone (IQ) derived from levodopa (LD), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) oxidation to develop a simple colorimetric assay for catecholamine detection in human urine, also elucidating the time-dependent formation and [...] Read more.

We used the first enzyme-free synthesis and stabilization of soluble melanochrome (MC) and 5,6-indolequinone (IQ) derived from levodopa (LD), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) oxidation to develop a simple colorimetric assay for catecholamine detection in human urine, also elucidating the time-dependent formation and molecular weight of MC and IQ using UV–Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The quantitative detection of LD and DA was achieved in human urine using MC as a selective colorimetric reporter to demonstrate the potential assay applicability in a matrix of interest in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and in clinical chemistry. The assay showed a linear dynamic range between 5.0 mg L⁻¹ and 50.0 mg L⁻¹, covering the concentration range of DA and LD found in urine samples from, e.g., Parkinson’s patients undergoing LD-based pharmacological therapy. The data reproducibility in the real matrix was very good within this concentration range (RSD_av% 3.7% and 6.1% for DA and LD, respectively), also showing very good analytical performances with the limits of detection of 3.69 ± 0.17 mg L⁻¹ and 2.51 ± 0.08 mg L⁻¹ for DA and LD, respectively, thus paving the way for the effective and non-invasive monitoring of dopamine and levodopa in urine from patients during TDM in Parkinson’s disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1004 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Living Skills in Patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Degenerative or Non-Degenerative Conditions: Effectiveness of a Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Training

by Simonetta Panerai, Valentina Catania, Francesco Rundo, Domenica Tasca, Sabrina Musso, Claudio Babiloni, Giuseppina Prestianni, Stefano Muratore and Raffaele Ferri

Sensors 2023, 23(4), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23041896 - 8 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2274

Abstract

Virtual reality has gained attention as an effective tool for cognitive, motor, and daily activity rehabilitation in patients with major neurocognitive disorder (M-NCD). The first objective of this study was to check for differences between M-NCD caused by degenerative and non-degenerative conditions (DC [...] Read more.

Virtual reality has gained attention as an effective tool for cognitive, motor, and daily activity rehabilitation in patients with major neurocognitive disorder (M-NCD). The first objective of this study was to check for differences between M-NCD caused by degenerative and non-degenerative conditions (DC and NDC, respectively) in terms of relearning four functional living skills (FLSs), by means of a non-immersive virtual reality training (VRT). The second purpose was to verify whether spontaneous transfer from the virtual environment to the real environment occurred. Four FLS apps were developed in our institute (Information, Suitcase, Medicine, and Supermarket). A nonrandomized interventional study was carried out, comparing experimental and control groups (EG and CG, respectively). The study included three phases: in vivo test at T1; VRT at T2 only for EG; in vivo test at T3. During the in vivo test, the four FLSs were assessed in their natural environments. Both EG-DC and EG-NDC significantly improved in all of the VRT variable scores (the EG-NDC group seemed to show better outcomes than the EG-DC group). Moderate-to-high satisfaction with the VRT was reported. EG-DC and EG-NDC also enhanced their performances in the in vivo test. No statistically significant differences between them were found. CG-DC and CG-NDC improved only in the execution time of Information in the in vivo test. These findings confirm the ecological validity of VRT for FLSs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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12 pages, 612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Cochlear Implant Patients: Implications for the Design of Specific Rehabilitation Programs

by Andrea Frosolini, Giulio Badin, Flavia Sorrentino, Davide Brotto, Nicholas Pessot, Francesco Fantin, Federica Ceschin, Andrea Lovato, Nicola Coppola, Antonio Mancuso, Luca Vedovelli, Gino Marioni and Cosimo de Filippis

Sensors 2022, 22(22), 8770; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22228770 - 13 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

Introduction: Cochlear implants (CI) have been developed to enable satisfying verbal communication, while music perception has remained in the background in both the research and technological development, thus making CI users dissatisfied by the experience of listening to music. Indications for clinicians to [...] Read more.

Introduction: Cochlear implants (CI) have been developed to enable satisfying verbal communication, while music perception has remained in the background in both the research and technological development, thus making CI users dissatisfied by the experience of listening to music. Indications for clinicians to test and train music abilities are at a preliminary stage compared to the existing and well-established hearing and speech rehabilitation programs. The main aim of the present study was to test the utility of the application of two different patient reporting outcome (PRO) measures in a group of CI users. A secondary objective was to identify items capable of driving the indication and design specific music rehabilitation programs for CI patients. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 73 CI patients referred to the Audiology Unit, University of Padova, was enrolled from November 2021 to May 2022 and evaluated with the audiological battery test and PRO measures: Musica e Qualità della Vita (MUSQUAV) and Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) Italian version. Results: The reliability analysis showed good consistency between the different PRO measures (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.873). After accounting for the epidemiological and clinical variables, the PRO measures showed a correlation with audiological outcomes in only one case (rho = −0.304; adj. p = 0.039) for NCIQ-T with the CI-pure tone average. A willingness for musical rehabilitation was present in 63% of patients (Rehab Factor, mean value of 0.791 ± 0.675). Conclusions: We support the role of the application of MUSQUAV and NCIQ to improve the clinical and audiological evaluation of CI patients. Moreover, we proposed a derivative item, called the rehab factor, which could be used in clinical practice and future studies to clarify the indication and priority of specific music rehabilitation programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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15 pages, 1964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Immunosensors for Point-of-Care Serological Tests Aimed at Assessing Natural or Vaccine-Induced SARS-CoV-2 Immunity

by Simone Fortunati, Marco Giannetto, Chiara Giliberti, Angelo Bolchi, Davide Ferrari, Massimo Locatelli, Valentina Bianchi, Andrea Boni, Ilaria De Munari and Maria Careri

Sensors 2022, 22(14), 5463; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22145463 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3210

Abstract

Innovative and highly performing smart voltammetric immunosensors for rapid and effective serological tests aimed at the determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were developed and validated in human serum matrix. Two immunosensors were developed for the determination of immunoglobulins directed against either the nucleocapsid or [...] Read more.

Innovative and highly performing smart voltammetric immunosensors for rapid and effective serological tests aimed at the determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were developed and validated in human serum matrix. Two immunosensors were developed for the determination of immunoglobulins directed against either the nucleocapsid or the spike viral antigen proteins. The immunosensors were realized using disposable screen-printed electrodes modified with nanostructured materials for the immobilization of the antigens. Fast quantitative detection was achieved, with analysis duration being around 1 h. Signal readout was carried out through a smart, compact and battery-powered potentiostat, based on a Wi-Fi protocol and devised for the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm. This device is used for the acquisition, storage and sharing of clinical data. Outstanding immunosensors’ sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (100%) were assessed, according to the diagnostic guidelines for epidemiological data. The overall performance of the sensing devices, combined with the portability of the IoT-based device, enables their suitability as a high-throughput diagnostic tool. Both of the immunosensors were validated using clinical human serum specimens from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, provided by IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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Review

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39 pages, 15989 KiB

Open AccessReview

Innovative Photonic Sensors for Safety and Security, Part III: Environment, Agriculture and Soil Monitoring

by Giovanni Breglio, Romeo Bernini, Gaia Maria Berruti, Francesco Antonio Bruno, Salvatore Buontempo, Stefania Campopiano, Ester Catalano, Marco Consales, Agnese Coscetta, Antonello Cutolo, Maria Alessandra Cutolo, Pasquale Di Palma, Flavio Esposito, Francesco Fienga, Michele Giordano, Antonio Iele, Agostino Iadicicco, Andrea Irace, Mohammed Janneh, Armando Laudati, Marco Leone, Luca Maresca, Vincenzo Romano Marrazzo, Aldo Minardo, Marco Pisco, Giuseppe Quero, Michele Riccio, Anubhav Srivastava, Patrizio Vaiano, Luigi Zeni and Andrea Cusano Show full author list Hide full author list

Sensors 2023, 23(6), 3187; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23063187 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2563

Abstract

In order to complete this set of three companion papers, in this last, we focus our attention on environmental monitoring by taking advantage of photonic technologies. After reporting on some configurations useful for high precision agriculture, we explore the problems connected with soil [...] Read more.

In order to complete this set of three companion papers, in this last, we focus our attention on environmental monitoring by taking advantage of photonic technologies. After reporting on some configurations useful for high precision agriculture, we explore the problems connected with soil water content measurement and landslide early warning. Then, we concentrate on a new generation of seismic sensors useful in both terrestrial and under water contests. Finally, we discuss a number of optical fiber sensors for use in radiation environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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32 pages, 9192 KiB

Open AccessReview

Innovative Photonic Sensors for Safety and Security, Part I: Fundamentals, Infrastructural and Ground Transportations

by Aldo Minardo, Romeo Bernini, Gaia Maria Berruti, Giovanni Breglio, Francesco Antonio Bruno, Salvatore Buontempo, Stefania Campopiano, Ester Catalano, Marco Consales, Agnese Coscetta, Andrea Cusano, Maria Alessandra Cutolo, Pasquale Di Palma, Flavio Esposito, Francesco Fienga, Michele Giordano, Antonio Iele, Agostino Iadicicco, Andrea Irace, Mohammed Janneh, Armando Laudati, Marco Leone, Luca Maresca, Vincenzo Romano Marrazzo, Marco Pisco, Giuseppe Quero, Michele Riccio, Anubhav Srivastava, Patrizio Vaiano, Luigi Zeni and Antonello Cutolo Show full author list Hide full author list

Sensors 2023, 23(5), 2558; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052558 - 25 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2110

Abstract

Our group, involving researchers from different universities in Campania, Italy, has been working for the last twenty years in the field of photonic sensors for safety and security in healthcare, industrial and environment applications. This is the first in a series of three [...] Read more.

Our group, involving researchers from different universities in Campania, Italy, has been working for the last twenty years in the field of photonic sensors for safety and security in healthcare, industrial and environment applications. This is the first in a series of three companion papers. In this paper, we introduce the main concepts of the technologies employed for the realization of our photonic sensors. Then, we review our main results concerning the innovative applications for infrastructural and transportation monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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27 pages, 13721 KiB

Open AccessReview

Innovative Photonic Sensors for Safety and Security, Part II: Aerospace and Submarine Applications

by Antonello Cutolo, Romeo Bernini, Gaia Maria Berruti, Giovanni Breglio, Francesco Antonio Bruno, Salvatore Buontempo, Ester Catalano, Marco Consales, Agnese Coscetta, Andrea Cusano, Maria Alessandra Cutolo, Pasquale Di Palma, Flavio Esposito, Francesco Fienga, Michele Giordano, Antonio Iele, Agostino Iadicicco, Andrea Irace, Mohammed Janneh, Armando Laudati, Marco Leone, Luca Maresca, Vincenzo Romano Marrazzo, Aldo Minardo, Marco Pisco, Giuseppe Quero, Michele Riccio, Anubhav Srivastava, Patrizio Vaiano, Luigi Zeni and Stefania Campopiano Show full author list Hide full author list

Sensors 2023, 23(5), 2417; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052417 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2650

Abstract

The employability of photonics technology in the modern era’s highly demanding and sophisticated domain of aerospace and submarines has been an appealing challenge for the scientific communities. In this paper, we review our main results achieved so far on the use of optical [...] Read more.

The employability of photonics technology in the modern era’s highly demanding and sophisticated domain of aerospace and submarines has been an appealing challenge for the scientific communities. In this paper, we review our main results achieved so far on the use of optical fiber sensors for safety and security in innovative aerospace and submarine applications. In particular, recent results of in-field applications of optical fiber sensors in aircraft monitoring, from a weight and balance analysis to vehicle Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Landing Gear (LG) monitoring, are presented and discussed. Moreover, underwater fiber-optic hydrophones are presented from the design to marine application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technologies in Italy 2023)

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