Humans continue to use various units of measurement that are outside the internationally accepted System of Units (SI). This creates confusion that machines are unable to overcome. In the future, machines and sensor systems feeding data to those machines are expected to operate exclusively using the SI. This requires an internationally authoritative database for converting the non-SI units that humans enter to SI units at the level of the human–machine interface or human–sensor interface.

We present an automated, contactless method to map thin film thickness and stress across microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) wafers. Using white light interferometry on cantilevers and step profiles, we extract both mean and gradient stress with orientation sensitivity. Applied to six thin films, the approach reveals process-dependent variations, offering a reliable tool for evaluating and comparing MEMS materials and fabrication methods.

Parasitic direct currents in our alternating-current power grid affect the operation of power transformers. In this work, we present a fiber-optic current sensor system designed for the long-term monitoring of such direct currents, especially those arising from solar activity. The sensor demonstrator allows remote data access and sensor operation and was deployed at an electrical substation. For the first time, we show measurements of such currents on single phases of the power grid.

This research investigates the use of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUTs) for underwater object detection and mapping in shallow-water environments. Experiments demonstrated their ability to detect small objects ( up to 4mm in size) and accurately reconstruct complex 3D surfaces. The findings highlight their potential for high-resolution underwater applications, especially for those requiring economic, compact, portable solutions.

In this article we present a new method to measure the flow of a gas by means of ultrasound waves. Instead of sending pulses across the cross-section of the pipe, we make ultrasound travel along the length of the pipe. In other words, the pipe becomes an acoustic waveguide. This has the advantage that the travelling distance can become much longer, and so the measurement of the transit time becomes more sensitive to changes in the flow or the speed of sound.

This research presents a capacitive displacement sensor concept, designed for integration into a pin array gripper. The design is optimised for additive manufacturing, offering new design possibilities and enabling the creation of fully additive manufactured pin grippers with integrated displacement sensors. A prototype sensor was fabricated using additive manufacturing, and experimental results confirm the simulations and the functionality of the fabricated sensor for different pin materials.