The Laboratory of Electronic Sensors has been established in 1998 and is part of the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering of the NTUA, as well as the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS). Its research activities include the following scientific areas:
1. Magnetic Sensors
The flagship of the laboratory concerns Steel Health Monitoring (STEHEMON), according to which it has been possible to measure the distribution of residual stresses in steels (TRL 6-7) with an uncertainty of better than 1% and a speed greater than 1 m/s. Pilot applications have been implemented, among others, at the Corinth Pipeworks and the American Bureau of Shipping. The method has been recently complemented by a stress gradient annihilation technique based on local induction heating. The laboratory also develops magnetometers with pT sensitivity and the ability to recognize the shape of ships within 2 nautical miles (TRL 4). Finally, it develops other magnetic sensors, such as position and displacement sensors with a sensitivity better than 1 μm and a cost of 1/10 of the existing solutions.
2. Bio-Sensors
The laboratory, in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, develops “Labs-on-a-chip” for the measurement of viruses, enzymes and proteins for the prediction of heart attack, sensors for the measurement of bone welding, spirochete in the gums, as well as Personalized Medicine, with kinase measurement, wearable cardiographs & encephalographs. It also deals with mobile applications for measuring scoliosis and related diseases.
3. Other sensors
The laboratory deals with the development of sensors for agricultural production, such as temperature and relative humidity sensors, measurement of chemical components and water quality monitoring, with applications in Agribator, the Peloponnese Center for Excellence in Agri-Food. At the same time, it develops other sensors, such as sensors for measuring fatigue in ships and rotating parts, measuring the health of batteries and supercapacitors, emission monitoring systems, etc., in collaboration with CMMI, the Center of Excellence for Marine Technology.
Based on these sensors, the laboratory deals with:
- An innovative magnetic selective separation technique for trapping and removing heavy metals and organic substances from aqueous solutions
- The production of magnetic algae and their application in selective drug delivery
- Structure and microstructure studies of water with applications in hydrogen production, in pharmaceuticals, etc.