Sensor - The Electronic Nose Artificial Olfaction Technology - page 60

Fig. 2.18 Piezo electric sensor

amplitude range, and the signal quality make it very interesting, and in particular
where no static information is needed.
Piezoelectric sensors are electromechanical systems that react on compression;
the sensing elements show almost zero deflection. This is the reason why piezo-
electric sensors are so rugged, have an extremely high natural frequency and an
excellent linearity over a wide amplitude range. Additionally, piezoelectric tech-
nology is insensible to electromagnetic fields and radiation, enabling measure-
ments under harsh conditions. Figure 2.18 shows the Piezo electric sensor used in
bimolecules detection in analyte.
Advantages of piezoelectric sensors are:

• Reliable, robust, and compact
• Low energy consumption
• Active signal producing component—no powering needed
• Extremely high temperature range
• Linearity
• Time stable and long lasting
• High frequencies
• Bidirectional electromechanical conversion.

Types of Piezo sensors:

• Accelerometers
• Force sensors
• Shock sensors
• Strain and surface deformation sensors
• Sensors for ballistic testing devices
• Bone microphones
• Microphones.