Research and funding projects We research for the future

Motivation / targets

The project was initiated in the scope of invitations for tender "sensor-based electronic systems for applications for industry 4.0". Using the three MR sensor technologies AMR, GMR and TMR creates a modular, open sensor construction kit (hard- and software), in order to optimise assembly, handling and packaging processes under the aspect of industry 4.0. Systems are to be implemented that offer a higher resolution and much faster signal processing than the currently available systems, while being independent of an external energy supply and wirelessly linkable. A high signal processing capacity is to permit condition and process monitoring in real time.

Results / outlook

The project is to lay the foundation for smart sensor networks for condition monitoring already during evaluation of the options. The focus is on the area of data transmission and energy efficiency. Many sensor data are to be available quickly and without subsequent complex evaluation, which suggests data pre-processing within the sensor.

The project will enrich the chapter of Industry 4.0 and reduce some technical obstacles to implement special measuring tasks.

Further information on the project can be found on the project's website.

Modular sensor systems for industry 4.0

_{Source: MoSeS-Pro: Universität des Saarlandes/ZeMA, Photo: Oliver Dietze}

Motivation

Despite increasing demand for guaranteed availability of capital goods, many companies are reluctant to offer these guarantees (so-called availability-oriented business models). Reasons for this include a lack of operating data, a lack of transparency regarding the condition of the machines during the usage phase and a lack of knowledge about customer behaviour during operation. In the context of industry 4.0, technologies available today offer new possibilities for realising innovations in the service sector and eliminating the deficits mentioned above.

Task of Sensitec within the project

For the UseCase of the Grimme potato harvester, the wear of the first intake conveyor in the machine should be monitored. Sensitec was commissioned with the development of a sensor concept and the provision of the first prototypes in the project. These prototypes were installed in the machine and provided sensor data over a total of two harvest periods for the project partners involved in pattern recognition in the sensor data. The challenges for the sensors are the very rough environment (dirt, sand, stones etc.) as well as the high change of the air gap due to the unsteady running behaviour of the belt.

Result

Concepts were developed with the help of which availability-oriented business models can be developed and implemented. The development process can be carried out both from a market-driven perspective and from a technology-oriented perspective.

In addition, two monitoring concepts were developed within the project period, which, depending on the nature of the application, are suitable for monitoring individual wear components or for monitoring the overall mechanical system. A new flexible, hardware-based communication platform can also be used for retrofitting different capital goods.

And a cloud-based IT communication platform was developed that transfers the data of the intelligent communication-capable components via a mobile data connection or manual synchronization to the platform, where they can be evaluated and made available for various work processes.

^{(Source: GRIMME Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG)}

Motivation / targets

Design and optimisation of GMR sensors for the magnetic flow cytometrics for quick and simple determination of cell concentrations in the blood ("Point-of-care"-diagnosis), e.g. for cancer treatment or emergency treatment after accidents.

The project's target is using magnetic markers with super-paramagnetic properties to mark blood components (cells) and to individually route the marked cells via the GMR sensor, so that the number of the desired cells can be counted to determine their concentration in the blood.

This requires a sensor that detects the scatter field of a cell (or other biological materials), which is occupied by super-paramagnetic markers. Most of all, the number of cells occupied by markers is to be counted. Therefore, highly specialised and adjusted GMR sensors are needed that are resistant to the aggressive medium blood while also permitting a distance between the sensitive sensor layers and blood cells at less than 0.1 µm. The sensors are to be industrially produced, in order to ensure later use at high numbers.

Results / outlook

In the project, the GMR sensors were successfully integrated into newly developed disposables, the task of which is to route the blood fluid across the sensor, record measured values and feed them into the evaluation unit, which was also developed. Tests with blood cells have demonstrated feasibility of the new overall system and thus documented the possibility of a magnetically based cytometry test at the Point-of-Care without using a central lab.