Robot-assisted, source-camera-coupled multi-view broadband imagers for ubiquitous sensing platform

Abstract

Multi-functional photo-imaging garners attention towards the development of universal safety-net sensor networks. Although there are urgent needs to comprehensively address the optical information from arbitrarily structured and located targets, investigations on multi-view sensitive broadband monitoring, being independent of the operating environment, are yet to be completed. This study presents a robot-assisted, photo-source and imager implanted, multi-view stereoscopic sensitive broadband photo-monitoring platform with reflective and transmissive switchable modes. A multifaceted photo-thermoelectric device design based on flexible carbon nanotube films facilitates the prototype demonstrations of non-destructive, target-structure-independent, free-form multi-view examinations on actual three-dimensional industrial components. Further functionalisation, namely, a portable system utilising three-dimensional printing and ultraviolet processing, achieves the unification of freely attachable photo-imagers and miniature photo-sources, enabling location-independent operation. Consequently, the non-destructive unmanned, remote, high-speed, omni-directional testing of a defective aerial miniature model winding road-bridge with a robot-assisted photo-source imager built into a multi-axis movable photo-thermoelectric monitor arm is demonstrated.

Stretchable broadband photo-sensor sheets for nonsampling, source-free, and label-free chemical monitoring by simple deformable wrapping

“…Here, the presented suppression of the change in device resistance against strains with the rigid-soft patterning leads to the above noise management. The CNT film PTE sensor typically exhibits photo-response voltage signals ranging from hundreds of microvolts to a few millivolts ( 20 ), and the aforementioned device design strategy relaxes the mechanical deformation–induced degradation of photo-responses. Meanwhile, the device breakage caused failures of PTE responses (sudden signal reduction in Fig.…”

“…The results here also infer further functionalization (i.e., stretchability) on existing flexible broadband photo-imagers. The uniqueness of sensitive broadband photo-detection ranging from the sub-THz (20) to the near-IR (NIR) regions promoted the field of stretchable photo-detectors, where characterizations of elastic narrowband-absorbent materials have mainly been performed (34)(35)(36).…”

“…Three-dimensional (3D) curvilinear cylinders often used for liquid flow channels present blind areas for rigid sensors, degrading the measurement accuracy. On the other hand, flexible uncooled broadband THz-IR detectors can be attached to arbitrarily structured outer surfaces ( 20 ). The flexible detector therefore enables omnidirectional BBR detection of 3D objects such as a spirally wrapped heat pipe ( 21 ) and a man’s hand ( 22 ).…”

“…Potential applications include beverage and food quality monitoring. The proposed patch sheets can be wrapped outside containers and coating for sugar content or temperature monitoring based on the inherent BBR of the targets, while external THz-IR irradiation can be applied for impurity detection such as water pipes or beverage can inspections ( 20 ), simultaneously.…”

Recent Progress in Development of Carbon-Nanotube-Based Photo-Thermoelectric Sensors and Their Applications in Ubiquitous Non-Destructive Inspections

“…Based on the above device material considerations, this and the following chapter summarize the representative CNT-film-based PTE conversion: mechanism modeling, design strategies, and fundamental performances [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. As thermoelectric conversion often employs the Seebeck effect at heterogeneous material junctions (typically P-type and N-type materials) to enhance the effective Seebeck coefficients, there are mainly two types of device structures for the CNT film PTE sensor.…”