Evidence shows that peripheral thermometers, or those that can be used orally or under the arm, have poor accuracy compared with central thermometers, or those that can be used rectally or at other intravascular sites. The systematic evidence review and meta-analysis is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The Working Principle and Applications of Infrared…
Seebeck EffectAn interesting phenomenon applied in the field of instrumentation is the Seebeck effect, which is the production of a small voltage across the length of a wire due to a difference in temperature along that wire. This effect is most easily observed and applied with a junction of two dissimilar metals in contact, each…
Thermistors vs. RTDs As discussed in a previous article series, “Optimizing RTD temperature sensing systems Sensing System,” an RTD is a type of resistor with resistance that varies as a function of temperature. Thermistors operate in a similar manner to RTDs. Unlike RTDs that only have a positive temperature coefficient, thermistors can either have positive…
Temperature Sensor TypesTemperature sensors are among the most commonly used sensors. All types of equipment use temperature sensors, including computers, cars, kitchen appliances, air conditioners, and (of course) home thermostats. The five most common types of temperature sensors include: Thermistor Basics—NTC vs PTC ThermistorAs the name implies, the thermistor (i.e., thermal resistor) is a temperature-sensing…
Thermocouples are a popular type of temperature sensor due to their ruggedness, relatively low price, wide temperature range, and long-term stability. The Seebeck effect discussed in the previous article is the underlying principle that governs the thermocouple operation. The Seebeck effect describes how a temperature difference (ΔT) between the two ends of a metal wire…
The food and beverage industry is undergoing a digital transformation. From large corporations to smaller, more flexible brands, companies are using digital technologies to collect more data regarding their workflow processes and to ensure safety and quality in food processing, packaging, and distribution. They use this information to transform their production systems and redefine how…
Why is Monitoring Grain Moisture Important?Feeding the growing global population requires constant food quality and safety monitoring to ensure food security. Grain is the most commonly consumed food product, feeding both humans and livestock. Moisture can ruin entire stocks of grain if not monitored correctly. Even if it appears dry on the surface, moisture can…
Every day food is thrown away and squandered by the lorry-load. EU researchers are developing ways to cut waste—of both food and its packaging. Dr. Anastasia Ktenioudaki has been tracking strawberries in Ireland with high-tech sensors. She was part of a recent European research project to reduce the enormous amount of fresh food that gets…
When temperatures begin to fluctuate and rise as we approach the spring and summer months, keeping grain cool and dry is the best defense against insect activity and mold. Ken Hellevang, a grain storage expert and Extension agricultural engineer for the North Dakota State University Extension Service, suggests checking stored grain every two weeks at…
Measuring temperature with electronic sensing devices is advantageous as even the smallest change in degree can be detected. In this article, two different temperature sensor types, contact and non-contact, are compared, discussing the differences in their working principle and the advantages of each temperature sensor. Types of Temperature ProbesContact temperature sensors rely on physical contact…