We present a concept for angle and position measurement based on metamaterials. The distance between the sensor and the rotating or moving metamaterial target is not limited to a precise value. We use state-of-the-art millimeter wave radar chip technology for read-out, initially intended for applications such as gesture recognition or contactless switches. We implement a demonstrator test setup and show the proof of principle.

The measurement principle shows how to measure calibration torque moment shunts in a 5 MN m torque standard machine using an interferometer and hinge flexure stiffness. The analysis of the measurement uncertainty influences shows that the measurement uncertainty of transversal force measurement ranges from 0.61 % to 3.04 % and stays constant at 1.7 % for torque measurement. A FE validation was performed. The measurement uncertainty of the calibration torque moment sank from 0.106 % to 0.100 %.

NiCr-carbon thin-film strain gauges offer the outstanding characteristic of a very high strain sensitivity. This can be very advantageous for many high-precision mechanical sensors like load cells. A downside of sensors based on these NiCr-carbon strain gauges is a rather large creep error, meaning reversible signal deviations at a constant load. We present two applicable methods for adjustment of the creep error: a modification of the film composition and a modification of the strain transfer.

In this paper, we present a tactile sensor based on the interaction of coils with a magnetic elastomer. The first experimental approach is sampling the sensor with indentations of constant depth at different positions. A mathematical model is used to reproduce the data. Afterwards, this model is applied to random indentations at the same depth. As a result, we provide conceptual proof for position determination in one direction as a basis for a refined sensor design and further model approaches.

This paper introduces a new method to drastically reduce the anisotropic strain sensitivity of granular thin film strain gauges. As a result, these improved strain gauges produce a much higher sensor signal when used for force transducers with biaxial strain fields. This gauge type is also more advantageous for uniaxial stress measurements. The method is based on the creation of a certain topographic structure of the strain gauges; in our case, this was realized by a picosecond laser system.