Sensor

# Record card
316
Thematic areas
Aerospace and Earth Science
Aerospace and Earth Science / Seismology
Energy and environmental sustainability
Energy and environmental sustainability / Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulics, Vibration and Acoustic Engineering
Energy and environmental sustainability / Sensory
Energy and environmental sustainability / Safety and security
Energy and environmental sustainability / Natural disasters
ICT & Electronics
ICT & Electronics / Smart cities and Communities
Automotive transport and logistics
Automotive transport and logistics / Transport infrastructures
Description

The proposed technology is an advanced dynamic monitoring system for high‑mass infrastructures, based on a network of highly sensitive capacitive accelerometric sensors (femtofarad range) and Integrated Modal Analysis techniques. The sensors, featuring optimized and configurable mechanics depending on the target frequency band, measure three‑axis accelerations from 0.01 to 40 Hz, enabling the detection of slow movements and structural deformations not captured by conventional systems. The network is self‑configuring, time‑synchronized, and supported by edge‑computing architectures that enable real‑time analysis and simultaneous anomaly detection. The use of harmonic steel modules ensures robustness, sensitivity, and cost reduction, allowing continuous and long‑term monitoring for safety and predictive‑maintenance applications.

Type of innovation
Product / process innovation in integration with an already existing technology
Description of innovative features / Competitive advantages

The technology introduces a network of ultra‑high‑sensitivity capacitive sensors (femtofarad range) integrated into a self‑configuring, time‑synchronised system capable of detecting slow structural movements at sub‑hertz frequencies with resolution in the tenths of a hertz. The sensor mechanics, optimised for infrastructure monitoring and reconfigurable according to the target frequency range, offer performance superior to commercially available MEMS and piezoelectric systems. The integration with Integrated Modal Analysis models and edge‑computing techniques enables energy‑efficient data processing and simultaneous anomaly detection. The use of harmonic steel modules ensures robustness, high sensitivity, and reduced costs, supporting continuous and reliable monitoring ideally suited for predictive‑maintenance workflows and enhanced structural safety.

Reference market
Impacts on existing markets
Development stage
Prototype
TRL
6
Advantages
Product/process/service/technology optimization
Patentable technology
Yes
Patented technology
Yes
Country/ies

Italy

Publication of technology
In publication phase
Technology validation/demonstration
External validation
Market positioning
Italian
European
International
Partner required
Enteprise
Private research center
Seed capital
Cooperation in national /european / international project

Information
For more information and/or to be put in contact with the Research Team, please contact the Project Manager:

Barbara Angelini - Project Manager
CNR - Unità Valorizzazione della Ricerca
Phone number 06.49932415
E-mail barbara.angelini@cnr.it