The highly sensitive humidity sensor is modeled on the camel’s nose
(photo: Weiguo Huang and Jian Song)
Scientists have developed an advanced new type of humidity sensor, drawing inspiration from camel noses. They say that the new device overcomes the shortcomings of the existing solutions.
The sensor is able to detect low concentrations of water molecules in the air and opens up some interesting possibilities, including finding water sources
The various humidity sensors currently on the market have their strengths and weaknesses, notes NewAtlas . Some have lower sensitivity to detect water, while others offer high sensitivity, but their properties can be compromised by environmental conditions, such as exposure to harsh sunlight, for example.
Now scientists from China are developing a sensor that is very sensitive, both durable. To do this, they studied how the camel’s nose works. The noses of these “ships of the desert” are characterized by narrow passages with large surfaces, “lined” inside with mucus that absorbs water. This whole system changes its capacity with fluctuations in humidity. This makes animals very effective at smelling water in a dry environment.
Therefore, scientists have used camel noses as a plan for a new type of high-sensitivity humidity sensor. The device consists of a porous polymer network covered with molecules called zwitterions, which attract moisture and mimic the ability of camel mucus to change its capacity when the humidity changes.
The sensor is proved to be both durable and highly sensitive in the team’s experiments, successfully detecting the changing humidity in the hot industrial exhaust gases and proving that it is able to quickly distinguish between fresh, stagnant and dry leaves.
It is also able to locate a source of water and can detect moisture coming from the human body. Experiments have shown that the sensor responds to changes in sweating while training, and can detect human finger, even if it tracks its movements in L- or L-shape.
Scientists say the technology can be used as a contactless interface for people to interact with computers .
Note: This article has been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here