Fridge failures: why temperature monitoring needs to move beyond the clipboard.

Chris Potts, Marketing Director at ANT Telecom explores the risks of relying on manual fridge and freezer monitoring, from missed faults and human error to compliance issues and stock loss, and explains how automated temperature monitoring processes can provide faster alerts, stronger audit trails and better protection for temperature-sensitive goods.

Chris Potts, ANT Telecom

For any organisation storing chilled or frozen goods, temperature control is not a back-office task. It directly affects safety, compliance, stock protection and, in some sectors, the quality of research or patient care. Food businesses, for example, have clear responsibilities around chilled storage. The British Food Standards Agency states that chilled food must be kept at 8°C or below, with fridges ideally operating at 5°C or below. Temperature checks and accurate records are a core part of showing due diligence.

However, many businesses still rely on manual checks, basic thermometers and paper-based logs. While these methods can work in simple environments, they leave gaps. A fridge may fail overnight. A freezer door may be left open between checks. A power cut may go unnoticed until stock has already been compromised. For organisations holding high-value or sensitive goods, those gaps can quickly become expensive.

Why manual monitoring is a thing of the past.
The problem with manual temperature checks is that they depend on someone being available and remembering to take the reading. If this is done then the next step is to record it correctly. If an issue does occur they then need to react to it in a timely manner. In a busy workplace, this process is very easily forgotten or disrupted.

Of course, there are solutions to this. A thermometer with an audible alarm is a popular solution, and can help - but only if someone is close enough to hear it. This doesn’t, however, solve the record-keeping burden as staff still need to write down readings, maintain logs and provide evidence during audits or inspections.

Manual monitoring essentially creates three common risks. The first is a delayed response. If a fault happens outside working hours, the alarm may not be acted upon until the next day. The second is human error, with checks missed or recorded incorrectly. The third is limited visibility, especially for businesses managing multiple fridges, freezers or sites. These risks may be manageable for smaller operations. But for larger organisations, or those storing high-value food, pharmaceuticals, samples or other temperature-sensitive goods, they can become a serious operational weakness.

The risk of getting it wrong.
There are many risks for businesses if they get temperature monitoring wrong, some of which carry serious consequences. There is not just a visible cost, but a reputational cost that some businesses may never recover from. If temperature control creates a food safety risk for example then bacteria could spread and make customers ill. For healthcare businesses and pharmaceutical companies incorrect storage conditions can compromise medicines, samples or research materials, which could cost people their lives. This is why businesses need a clear process for monitoring temperatures, escalating alerts and recording the action taken.

Moving from manual to continuous monitoring.
One way to navigate this problem effectively is to install an automated temperature monitoring system to ensure continuous monitoring 24/7. This works by inserting wireless sensors in the fridge and freezers to constantly measure temperatures around the clock.

If a temperature moves outside of its designed threshold, alerts can be sent to the right people by phone call, SMS or email. Just as importantly, temperature data can be recorded automatically, creating a digital audit trail that supports compliance and removes much of the manual administration. This is perhaps most valuable when the business is out of hours. Automated alerts give teams the chance to move stock, check the appliance, close a door, investigate a power issue or call out maintenance before goods are lost.

For multi-site businesses, cloud-based monitoring can also provide a central view of appliances across different locations. This helps teams identify recurring issues, compare performance and spot equipment that may need attention.

Choosing the right approach.
As with everything in life, there is no one size fits all system. And businesses will need to invest in systems that best fit their organisation. So, when selecting which technology works best for a business, it is recommended to consider which technology best suits the operating environment. As well as this, businesses should factor in the value of goods being stored, the number of appliances needed, whether there are any compliance requirements and the resources available to manage checks.

The questions to ask are: How often are temperatures checked? Who is responsible for recording them? What happens if an alarm sounds overnight? How quickly could staff respond to a breach? Are records easy to access during an audit? How much stock could be lost if an appliance failed unnoticed?

The answers often reveal whether automated monitoring would provide better protection than a manual check. Alarm management is another important factor. Systems should allow thresholds and escalation routes to be set in a way that reflects real working practices. Too many unnecessary alerts can lead to alarm fatigue, where staff begin to ignore notifications. Too few alerts can leave the business exposed. The balance matters. Scalability also needs consideration. A business monitoring one fridge today may need to monitor multiple appliances, locations or environmental conditions in future. Selecting an approach that can grow with the organisation avoids unnecessary replacement costs later.

Summary. Basic thermometers, manual checks and logs certainly have a place in smaller lower risk environments. But when storage requirements become more complex and businesses face greater pressure to prove compliance these processes will always struggle to keep pace. Automated temperature monitoring is not about replacing responsibility. It is about giving teams better information, faster alerts and more reliable records. For any organisation storing perishable, sensitive or high-value goods, the question is not simply whether the fridge is cold enough during a scheduled check, it is whether the business would know quickly enough if it wasn’t.

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@ANT_Telecom @foodgov #Food

Highest standards in safety.

The ISO 45001 certification has been received by WIKA for its Services division This is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. Such a system ensures that all operational processes are harmonised with health and safety in the workplace. Processes are also continuously optimised to this end. It applies both to activities at its own facilities and the various service calls at the customer′s site.

The occupational health and safety management system ensures that risks are systematically identified and minimised during these sometimes challenging assignments. WIKA’s services range from installation, maintenance and repair to calibration and consulting.

“With the ISO 45001 certification of our Field Services, we are sending a clear signal at international level,” says Matthias Bundschuh, Vice President Services at WIKA. “Customers worldwide can rely on the highest safety standards being met during installation, commissioning and maintenance of the instrumentation - whether for new projects or maintenance and repair work as part of service calls.”

The requirements of the ISO 45001 standard include regular audits, employee and management training and the evaluation of safety standards. These measures make it possible to recognise and eliminate potential hazards at an early stage and lead to a continuous improvement in processes with regard to occupational health and safety.

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@WIKANews #PAuto #Standards

Trends in energy management, office space optimization and wellbeing.

EnOcean has developed sustainable solutions for the global megatrends of energy management, office space optimization and wellbeing and has aligned its strategy for accelerated growth. Owners and tenants of houses, buildings, and industrial facilities can realize smarter and more sustainable working and living conditions and thus significantly reduce energy consumption and CO² emissions. As a pioneer and market leader in energy harvesting and sensor-to-cloud solutions for sustainable Internet of Things (IoT) applications, EnOcean sees significant growth opportunities, particularly in the retrofitting and energy optimization of existing buildings.

Alternative energy sources and IoT solutions to reduce energy consumption and CO² emissions.
The requirements for sustainable energy use are increasing worldwide due to climate change, new working and living environments, and legal regulations. "Against this backdrop, we have developed IoT-based solutions for the key global megatrends of energy management, office space optimization and wellbeing. With these, owners and tenants of houses, buildings and industrial facilities can use alternative energy sources, realize smarter and more sustainable working and living environments and ultimately significantly reduce energy consumption and CO² emissions," explains Raoul Wijgergangs, CEO of EnOcean. The most important keys to greater efficiency, productivity and environmental friendliness are energy harvesting from alternative energy sources in the environment and the smart use of sustainable IoT solutions. "With our energy harvesting technology, high-quality sensors, the cloud-based IoT connector, an end-to-end approach, and a large partner ecosystem, we have strategically developed our business model and aligned it with global megatrends. In doing so, we want to ensure the continued growth of EnOcean and make an important contribution to a future worth living for generations to come, taking into account economic, ecological and social aspects." 

Global megatrends: energy management, space optimization and wellbeing.
Owners and tenants of houses, buildings and industrial facilities around the world are facing the major challenge of reducing energy consumption and CO² emissions.

• Energy management: Regarding sustainable energy management, EnOcean ensures multi-layered energy optimization based on current data. Manufacturers of switches can thus drive intelligently controlled light and heating switch-offs to save energy in unused rooms, for example.
• Office space optimization: EnOcean also offers new concepts for optimized space utilization based on new work models such as desk sharing. This can ensure a flexible, healthy and comfortable working environment. It also optimizes energy costs, drives building automation, and aligns the office and building landscape more effectively and efficiently.
• Wellbeing: Automated adjustment of temperature, lighting, or even air conditions significantly improves wellbeing and productivity in working environments.

"Modern energy use through alternative and self-sufficient energy sources and sustainable IoT solutions are a win-win situation for companies and the environment. Our solutions not only open up value-adding options for owners and tenants, for example through predictive maintenance and condition-based servicing, but also reduce energy consumption and CO² emissions in particular. 20 million sensors sold have already saved 1.484.000 tons of CO²," emphasizes Wijgergangs.

Light + Building: Focus on sustainable solutions.
"With our solutions, we create sustainable added value for intelligent building automation in compliance with national and international legal regulations. Our wireless, battery-free and maintenance-free sensors for energy harvesting and our cloud-based IoT connector help to analyze the collected data and make informed decisions to optimize building performance," says Wijgergangs.

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@EnOcean @NapierPR #Pauto Environment

A healthier workplace for operators.

90% of human-error related accidents in the oil and gas sector can be attributed to the working environment, study shows.

Despite being mission critical for much of the world’s energy infrastructures and industries, the ambience of control rooms is often overlooked with many facilities outdated or not suitable for keeping operators alert at all times. ABB has launched its Operator Wellbeing Service (OWS), a digital solution that focuses on delivering optimal industrial control room worker environments and conditions.

The OWS solution is designed to deliver safe, smart, and sustainable operations by enabling plant owners to investigate and measure air quality and noise levels in real time, ensure lighting is ambient and meets current standards, and manage temperatures to help maintain employee focus and alertness.

ARC Advisory Group estimates that 40 percent of global process industry losses due to unscheduled downtime are related directly to human error1, while a study published by the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics identifies that the working environment is the main human factor in 90 percent of accident cases in the oil and gas industry2.

Building upon ABB’s leadership in control room design, furniture and equipment innovation, OWS helps ensure a healthier workplace for operators as well as improved plant performance and safety.

Operator wellbeing is the key success factor for productive and reliable operations. Human factors form a fundamental foundation of the control room solution. When operators are happier, more alert, less stressed and much safer, the result is better decision making and less downtime.

“Adverse working conditions are known to exacerbate fatigue or distraction,” said Ulf Engberg, General Manager of Control Room Solutions at ABB Energy Industries. “OWS addresses this, delivering live data to managers enabling them to monitor working conditions and make necessary changes accordingly. Additionally, it ensures that plant owners will always comply with ISO 11064 standards.”

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@abb_automation @ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @admiralpr #PAuto #HanS

Virtual reality health and safety training.

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and BioPharmaChem Skillnet, one of 70 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide, have launched an exciting new Virtual Reality (VR) programme designed specifically for workplace health and safety training.

Ireland is the third largest exporter of complex pharmaceutical goods and medicines and the second largest exporter of vaccines in Europe, with over €100bn in annual exports, 84,000 people directly and indirectly employed, and a further 10,000 jobs to be created over the next five years. The use of innovative technologies such as VR, increases engagement and knowledge retention while decreasing training time, and engages learners in real-world scenarios that teach important skills and concepts.

Dr Paul Maguire, Head of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, TU Dublin acknowledged the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the research partners: "We are delighted that TU Dublin is continuing our involvement with BioPharmaChem Skillnet, an organisation that is supporting one of the largest and most important sectors in Ireland providing thousands of jobs. This partnership highlights the world-leading research capabilities of Brian and this team in the VR/AR space and their ability and desire to solve immediate industry challenges. It also spotlights the excellent working relationship that TU Dublin has with BioPharmaChem Skillnet, facilitated by David Gardiner in TU Dublin Innovation via our Open Labs R&D outreach initiative."

The programme is the third course co-developed by the Skillnet Business Network and TU Dublin, which harnesses the power of VR and offers an innovative approach to mixed reality training for diverse industries. The VR technology provides a seamless interface with existing simulations in a modular framework to train staff across many sectors in Ireland. It follows on from the success of the previous two VR programmes ‘Aseptic Techniques for Biomanufacturing,’ and ‘Power Handling’, both of which were nominated for multiple innovation and industry awards.

The new programme was developed in collaboration with Dr Brian Vaughan, Founder and Director of the Virtual Interaction Research Lab (VIRal) at TU Dublin. VIRal is a cutting edge virtual, and augmented, reality research and development environment, in a large, dedicated space.

BioPharmaChem Skillnet provides upskilling to businesses of all sizes in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, and chemical supply sectors. The network’s mission is to further advance Ireland’s position as a world leader in health innovation through leading-edge talent development solutions.

“This is our third time working with BioPharmaChem Skillnet and we have always found them to be an insightful forward-thinking organisation pushing the boundaries of training in the industry. It's always great to work with them to co-create Mixed Reality training applications that incorporate cutting-edge technologies with robust pedagogical principles and methods,” said Founder & Director VIRal, Dr Brian Vaughn.

"As the BioPharmaChem sector continues to embrace immersive technologies, we identified the potential for virtual reality to address some of the known key challenges in health and safety that are high risk and time consuming," said Susan Costello, Network Director, BioPharmaChem Skillnet. "VIRal at TU Dublin was able to provide the expertise required to transform the concept of a VR programme into a reality. Dr Brian Vaughan and the team in TU Dublin ensured that the process ran seamlessly and were able to advise, adapt and reinvent when required. The programme would not have been possible without their expertise and the support of Skillnet Ireland, BioPharmaChem Ireland along with the expertise and time that industry members gave to articulate the needs around this training for the sector."

Pictured at the launch are (l-r): Siobhan Broughan (Skillnet), David Gardiner (TUD), Susan Costello and Brendan Kellet (BioPharmaChem), Dr. Brian Vaughn and Jazheel Luna (TUD VIRaL), Sinead Keogh (IBEC), and Dr. Paul Maguire (TUD).

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@WeAreTUDublin @BPCSkillnet #PAuto #HandS #Safety

Connectors to medical standards.

Medical technology plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients, making IEC 60601-1 a cornerstone of the industry. This standard ensures that medical devices are not only technologically advanced, but also efficient and meet the highest safety standards.

Connectors as an interface.
Medical devices must meet a variety of criteria throughout their lifecycle from development to disposal. As part of the medical device, connectors regulate the interfaces that enable smooth communication between different components. Medical devices are usually connected to the general power supply network and thus pose a latent danger to patients and operators. IEC 60601-1 defines clear requirements to ensure that such devices function reliably under the intended conditions of use while minimizing potential hazards.

IEC 60601-1 conformity for ODU MEDI-SNAP® and ODU MINI-SNAP®

To mitigate the risk, medical device manufacturers need to incorporate two safeguards into their products. This can be done either by two separate measures or by doubling one measure to achieve the prescribed protection level 2 MOPP (patient protection) or 2 MOOP (operator protection). Many examples from the ODU MEDI-SNAP® and ODU MINI-SNAP® connector portfolio meet these requirements. The medical device manufacturer can meet their obligations for achieving the required patient or operator level of protection by selecting a suitable connector solution from ODU. The manufacturer can either use standard products off-the-shelf or a solution specially developed for his requirements. This applies not only to the specific pin layout, but also insulation requirements, grounding measures as well as protection against electrical hazards to patients and medical staff. Such solutions may require higher clearance and creepage distances, stronger insulation and lower leakage currents.

Alternatively, the medical device manufacturer can implement the protective measures via the power supply design instead of the connector, but this may require engineering in additional components in the circuit design. However, the fulfillment of the requirements of IEC 60601-1 by selecting suitable connectors is technically much more elegant and simplifies the associated necessary risk analysis, since additional components also entail an additional risk of failure in the circuit design.

System solutions for medical technology.
Mechanical stresses such as tension, bending or compression will also not lead to unexpected failures or malfunctions when deploying ODU MEDI-SNAP® and ODU MINI-SNAP® connectors. They are well able to withstand the demands of the medical environment. The materials used are extremely durable and meet the requirements for cleaning and autoclavability. In order to meet further medical requirements, ODU offers silicone-overmolded system solutions consisting of connectors, overmolding and cable assembly. The materials are designed so that sticking or a stick-slip effect is prevented even under continuous operation. This provides the best-in-class feel, durability and hygienic performance.

Early involvement of suppliers supports the approval process.
The approval procedures are becoming increasingly complex. The early involvement of ODU in the design-in process not only significantly simplifies risk management, but also reduces product development costs for manufacturers to a minimum. Ultimately, the time required for the approval process can be significantly reduced if components from suppliers already fully comply with the requirements of IEC 60601-1.

By strictly adhering to IEC 60601-1 in these key areas, ODU underlines its commitment to the highest quality standards in medical technology. ODU connectors not only offer outstanding performance and safety, but also help make medical devices more efficient and reliable, ultimately benefiting patient care.

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@ODU_Connectors @PresseBox #Medical #Standards

Touchless switches.

IDEC Corporation has introduced a new line of CW low-profile touchless switches suitable for many hygienic industrial and public automation applications, addressing cleanliness concerns for protecting against COVID-19 and other contamination. Touchless switches are durable and reduce total cost of equipment operation.

World events have introduced a new sense of urgency among people to find ways for minimizing unnecessary touching of objects in the environment. IDEC is contributing to the well-being of these users by introducing touchless switches, which reduce or remove the need for personnel to sanitize the switch faces, saving labor and the cost of chemicals, and eliminating the need for protective films. Because there is no contact involved, users do not need to dispose of gloves or wash after using these switches. The lack of mechanical contact and cleaning also reduces switch deterioration, providing a long operational lifetime.

Clean applications are everywhere While the recent pandemic has elevated awareness about cleanli-ness and hygiene worldwide, there have always been major industries - such as food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medi-cal, and chemical - where sanitary operation is of the utmost importance. Even in common consumer applications like eleva-tors, ATMs, vending machines, and soda fountains, users prefer touchless operation methods. Equipment own-ers can benefit from economical incorporation of touchless switches bcause they eliminate ongoing and expensive sanitation, disinfection, and sterilisation of surfaces.

The CW touchless switches are designed with a sleek and nearly flush (just 2mm rise) low-profile surface silhouette. They are built for an industry standard 22mm mounting hole and require only a shallow 35mm space behind the panel face, plus room for the wiring connector. The typical installation pitch is 30mm width and 50mm height. Operating temperatures range from -25 to +55DegC.

A rubber washer and locking ring ensure IP65/67 and NEMA Type 4X ratings are maintained. The CW1H housing and bezel is black plastic resin, and the CW4H is silver aluminum alloy metal. Although the switches are rated for outdoor use, are made from weather resistant materials, and are highly resistant to visible light, excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from direct sunlight can cause material degradation and color fading, and even false signals. Additionally, as with almost any signaling device, dirt and water droplets can impact operation. Therefore, designers should check product performance before use, and consider degrees of physical protection.

The switch front face contains a central emitter and receiver sensing lens, and an LED indicator ring. Infrared LED diffuse reflection technology is used to detect objects. The detection distance is adjustable, typically ranging from 70 to 270mm depending on the color, material, and surface condition of the object to be detected. For example, dark gloves can be detected, but at a shorter distance than a bare hand. When two switches are installed close together, their emitting frequencies are automatically adjusted for mutual interference prevention, ensuring the switches do not trigger each other.

Switch output is a non-contact photoMOS relay, available without a timer or with a 0.5s on-delay and a 2.0s off-delay. Reverse connection protection is included, and the switch operates at a nominal 12 to 24V DC with 100mA max load current. The two-color LED ring, which can be externally controlled to illuminate in red or green, provides status feedback for users.

The IDEC portfolio of touchless switches addresses user concerns across a wide variety of applications in a cost-effective, technically advanced, and convenient form factor. As with all its products, IDEC offers free tech support for the CW1H/CW4H touchless switches, with no service or support contract required.

@IDECUSA #Pauto 

Keeping building occupants safe and healthy.

OpenBlue Indoor Air Quality as a Service is being launched by Johnson Controls. The new offering is the first dedicated "as-a-service" Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solution for buildings, delivering energy-efficient, turnkey clean air outcomes with an innovative financing model.

"Johnson Controls believes the best healthy buildings strategy is a holistic one," said Ganesh Ramaswamy, vice president and president, Global Services at Johnson Controls. "This suite of offerings delivers the market's most comprehensive portfolio of solutions, plus expert guidance, to help customers cut building costs, raise productivity and exploit new revenue opportunities - all while delivering on their sustainability goals, resulting in healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet."

OpenBlue Indoor Air Quality as a Service provides customers with a long-term proactive approach to IAQ to meet ever-changing health and safety compliance standards while leveraging industry leading OpenBlue technology to optimise IAQ and energy costs. The offering includes five key components:

• IAQ assessments – Together with UL, a global safety science leader, Johnson Controls will use a combination of science and technology to assess indoor air quality, pinpoint areas of risk and determine benchmarks and KPIs that support better IAQ, energy efficiency and cost savings.
• Solution application – Based on the results of the assessment, Johnson Controls will apply IAQ sensors, products and services required to meet customers' desired outcomes. Award-winning OpenBlue technology breaks down data silos and delivers all critical indoor air quality information in one centralised place, making it easy to control devices, display IAQ data and identify trends, helping optimise energy costs and indoor air quality levels with AI-powered recommendations for improvements.
• Remote monitoring & advisory – To ensure desired outcomes are met, Johnson Controls will leverage its global Remote Operations Centres (ROCs) to provide 24/7 monitoring of critical IAQ values and recommendations for improvements from our team of experts.
• Annual IAQ reassessment – Acknowledging the dynamic nature of all buildings, Johnson Controls will provide annual IAQ reassessments and work with clients to enhance their operations as needed to maximise return on their IAQ investments.
• Financing – OpenBlue Indoor Air Quality as a Service will be offered through an optional, predictable monthly financing model. Through this model, customers will not have to worry about making large upfront capital decisions. Since the model is scalable, Johnson Controls can help organisations shift their operational models from being COVID-19-reactive to productivity-proactive to meet longer-term goals.

OpenBlue Indoor Air Quality as a Service is scheduled to launch globally in February this year (2022).

Industry research continues to demonstrate the benefits of a holistic approach to indoor air quality control and management. In a survey of Johnson Controls customers, 60% are actively investing in indoor air quality-related measures. Even a 1% improvement in air quality can have a financial impact equivalent to an average building's annual utility bill, according to Harvard research. In addition, improved indoor air quality can reduce the aerosol transmission of COVID-19, acting as effectively as a population that is 50-60% vaccinated, according to peer-reviewed research published in Nature.

"Now, more than ever, enhancing indoor air quality is a critical business need as employees return to their workplaces and students return to their schools," said Tyler Smith, executive director, Healthy Buildings at Johnson Controls. "Our industry-leading OpenBlue Indoor Air Quality as a Service offering not only enables organisations to keep building occupants safe and healthy indoors in the face of evolving health and compliance regulations, but also empowers organisations to commit to more environmentally sustainable projects by delivering a solution that will also reduce energy use."

@johnsoncontrols @JCI_UKI @teamlewisglobal #AirQuality #BuildingAutomation

Has the printed temperature sensors time come?

Information regarding printed temperature sensors, and indeed about any of the wide variety of printed/flexible sensor technologies, can be found in a recently updated report,  “Printed and Flexible Sensors 2022-2032: Technologies, Players, Markets”.  Technologies covered in the report include printed photodetectors, pressure sensors, gas sensors, capacitive touch sensors, wearable electrodes, and more. Here DTechEx's Dr. Matthew Dyson discusses developments.

Think of a temperature sensor - and a traditional glass thermometer, or perhaps a small thermistor would probably spring to mind. However, a new class of temperature sensors is rapidly emerging that offers spatial resolution together with a thin-film format.

This new class of temperature sensors is made from a solution-processable semiconductor that is coated between conductive rows and columns in a passive matrix architecture. Both the temperature sensing semiconducting layer and the conductors can be printed onto flexible substrates such as PET, enabling low-cost production of a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Why now?
With the ability to provide spatially resolved temperature resolution at a low cost, it might seem surprising that printed temperature sensors are not already widespread. IDTechEx identify two main reasons.

Firstly, existing temperature sensors are cheap, well understood, and very small. While conventional inorganic thermistors or platinum resistive temperature detectors (RTDs) are certainly not flexible, they are generally so small that incorporating them into a component or device doesn’t impose any form factor constraints.

Secondly, thermal diffusion is quite slow. This means that thermal gradients are usually very gentle, certainly when compared to spatial variation in force or light intensity for example. As such, introducing measurement with fine spatial resolution is unnecessary in many cases, since a few thermistors or RTDs embedded in a thermally conductive layer provide equivalent insights.

However, while both of these factors remain true, emerging application areas mean that a combination of spatially resolved temperature measurement, low-cost roll-to-roll (R2R) production, and flexible thin-film format mean that demand for printed temperature sensors is forecast to grow substantially over the next decade, with an increasing number of companies developing this technology.

Battery monitoring for electric vehicles
A forthcoming increase in electric vehicle (EV) adoption is almost unarguable, with multiple governments legislating to ban the sale of internal combustion engines for vehicles at various points in the future. This technological transition is already creating huge opportunities for battery manufacturers.

Thermal management is extremely important for batteries, as anyone who has noticed their smartphone battery life plummet when subjected to heat or cold will attest. Batteries work best within a narrow temperature range, while hot spots can provide an early indication of malfunctions.

Keeping track of battery temperature to adjust heating or cooling as required of course requires temperature sensors. Printed temperature sensors are well suited to this purpose as they are lightweight, thin, cheap to produce in high volumes, offer good thermal contact with pouch cells, and can be laminated together with thin-film heaters to produce an integrated thermal management solution.

Healthcare applications
Printed temperature sensors are also highly promising for healthcare applications. The key attribute here is conformality since printed thin-film sensors can adapt to the curvature of the skin. Indeed, there is growing interest in continuous healthcare monitoring, which will provide extensive opportunities for many types of printed sensors. It involves the continuous tracking of various parameters such as heart rate and temperature to enable remote patient monitoring.

A specific healthcare application currently being explored for printed temperature sensors includes wound monitoring since the healing process is associated with increased blood flow and thus slightly elevated temperatures. The spatial resolution available with printed temperature sensors thus enables the extent of the wound to be tracked over time.

@IDTechEx #PAuto #Automotive #Health

Is your face covering adequate?

Facemasks are a critical tool for fighting the spread of COVID-19, and are proven to be most effective when face coverings are worn universally. As stores and businesses reopen, ensuring all occupants wear a facemask is essential. However, the additional resources required to monitor patrons can further strain businesses already struggling to meet other sanitation and social distancing guidelines. Deep learning solutions* are capable of automatically detecting anyone in violation of facemask guidelines, saving employee time and ensuring safer environments.

Deep learning is a form of machine learning that uses neural networks with many “deep” layers between the input and output nodes. By training a network on a large data set, a model is created that can be used to make accurate predictions based on unseen data. In this case, the network can be trained to detect not only facemasks, but if a facemask is worn correctly on a person’s face.

A fully functioning deep learning system can be developed and deployed in a matter of days. Using a FLIR Firefly DL camera, FLIR engineers developed a system for detecting compliance and flagging users who may be in violation of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) guidelines. The facemask detection dataset used 2 publicly available libraries with over 1000 images to provide examples of people with, without, and incorrectly wearing facemasks in different environments. Other cameras suited for this purpose include the Blackfly S GigE - for more information about FLIR machine vision solutions, contact sales.

Each image in the facemask dataset was annotated with bounding boxes showing object locations and class labels indicating which faces had the mask on, which did not, and if they were worn appropriately. Deep learning developers and solution integrators can easily expand this solution to cover more complex and robust use cases for deployment in the real world. For example, the neural network can be trained to detect face shields, gowns, gloves, and other PPE within high risk / high traffic environments like hospitals and airports.

* How to Build a Deep Learning Classification System for Less than $600 USD.

@flir @mepaxIntPR #Safety #Pauto #coróinvíreas #COVID19 #coronavirus #health

CO2 Gas Sensors assess COVID-19 transmission risk.

COVID-19 has been an unpredictable black swan in 2020 and the second wave in Europe indicates that we might need to live with the pandemic for a long time. Although the development of a vaccine has had a landmark breakthrough, any vaccine will not be widespread quickly and there is still the opportunity for the virus to mutate and become seasonal. While widespread mass testing has been a central focus for governments for months, societies are now facing another question: how can the risk be assessed and how can the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 be prevented in the community.

Although the transmission routes for the SARS-CoV-2 are still debatable, there is increasing scientific evidence suggesting that long-range aerosol-based transmission might play an important role. How to assess and control the aerosol concentration are becoming the most critical measures for infection control. Due to the close link of the indoor CO₂ concentration and aerosol density, using CO₂ gas sensors to monitor the indoor environment can be an efficient method to control the COVID-19 outbreak. The German government is among the first to invest in this technology, installing CO₂ gas sensors in schools. These sensors indicate when the air in the room is unhealthily stale.

The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) has also published guidance for schools to install a CO₂ monitoring system with traffic light indication.

Examples of CO2 monitors with traffic light indicator showing the indoor air quality. Source: The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA)

While electrochemical gas sensors and metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors are cheaper and smaller, NDIR gas sensors are more reliable and sensitive for CO₂ monitoring. The IDTechEx report “Environmental Gas Sensors 2020-2030”, benchmarks the performance, cost and manufacturing maturity for various gas sensing technologies. Infineon launched new  CO₂ environmental sensors based on photoacoustic technology. This new product is believed to perform at a similar level as NDIR gas sensors at a significantly lower cost. 

Director at Infineon, Mr Hicham Riffi, told IDTechEx that they have received a considerable demand for implementing traffic light CO2 sensors in schools and offices. Photoacoustic-based CO₂ gas sensors are also provided by Sensirion. They are also aware of the increasing demand for such CO₂ gas sensors for HVAC systems and indoor air quality applications.

This new trend will boost the potential market for CO₂ gas sensors. IDTechEx predicts that over 50K gas sensors will be installed in Germany alone in 2021 and the demand for  CO₂ gas sensors globally will exceed 1 million units if other European countries and the new US government will decide to follow the same path.

@IDTechEx @REHVAHVAC #coróinvíreas #COVID19 #coronavirus #Health #HVAC 

Back to work - safely!

Features an Automatic On-Edge Guide to the Inner-Canthus for Improved Temperature Reading Accuracy and People Flow Through Screening Checkpoints

As employees continue returning to the office, travelers start flying again, fans slowly return to stadiums, technology that focuses on maintaining health and safety in semi-public and private venues remains crucial to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

In response, FLIR Systems has launched the FLIR Elara™ FR-345-EST, a fixed-mount radiometric thermal security camera that measures elevated skin temperature (EST) accurately without contact or the need for a reference temperature source. This system provides a safe and effective environment at high-traffic airports, stadiums, commercial buildings, and manufacturing facilities to quickly asses skin temperature at access control points. The Elara FR-345-EST automatically guides to the part of the body that most closely correlates to core body temperature: the inner-canthus—or the inner eye of a human face—without sacrificing accuracy or the ability to maintain social distancing guidelines.

The Elara FR-345-EST camera can serve as a stand-alone system without the need for desktop software or as part of a broader access control program designed to improve people flow for elevated skin temperature screening while simultaneously improving the accuracy of finding the inner-canthus, balancing the needs of personal safety and convenience. It also integrates with a variety of third-party video management systems (VMS), including FLIR United VMS, to enable fast integration within the existing security infrastructure to avoid adding risk to network IT security.

Through the use of integrated algorithms and a convolutional neural network (CNN), as individuals pass through the screening process the interactive on-screen prompts assist with eyewear identification, proper pose, positioning, and head orientation. This enables the camera’s on-edge artificial intelligence to automatically locate and measure the temperature at the inner canthus within an accuracy of +/- 0.5° C (+/- 0.9° F).

The improved AI capabilities with the on-camera software also improves the screening assessment time to an average of one-second-per-individual after the subject is in a stationary position in front of the camera and once eyewear has been removed, helping to keep lines of workers, spectators, guests, students and patients moving and to eliminate any potential crowding at checkpoints. The self-screening operation provides instant go/no-go feedback and the adaptive alarm threshold feature can be used to minimize false alarms to account for natural body temperature fluctuations throughout the day.

The Elara FR-345-EST reduces setup time and calibration while improving real-time operator decision-making with on-edge analytics. Now the user has the ability to simply self-start by connecting the camera to a smart monitor with a web browser to view a live user interface. While the camera removes the need for a dedicated operator specific to EST frontline screening, integrators, customers and their staff can still expect a seamless user experience.

The camera can also be customized to meet specific integrator or customer needs. In addition, FLIR offers extended training and support for customers and users to properly setup, operate and maintain the system. 

@flir #PAuto #Health #Mepax #coróinvíreas #COVID19 #coronavirus

Support safe reopening!

Omron is supporting the safe reopening of spaces after lockdown with a wide range of optical sensors. These components can form a vital part of an effective infection control regime within buildings, rooms and even crowd-controlled spaces by monitoring body temperature measurement, counting the density of people in an area and reducing the need to touch surfaces.

Commenting on the range, Gabriele Fulco, European Product Marketing Manager for Omron, commented, “Opto-sensing technology has an important role to play in coronavirus countermeasures and no-contact sensors provide a solid basis to solutions for access control and body temperature measurement. They can also replace ‘touch-based’ switches to operate lights and other services with the potential to becoming the norm once COVID is a distant memory.”

Omron D6T thermal sensors are based on an infrared sensor which measures the surface temperature of objects without touching them, using a thermopile element which absorbs radiated energy from the target object. The D6T 4x4 sensor can measure face temperature at distances up to 1m for access control, whilst the D6T single-eye sensor is more suitable for wrist or forehead wearable devices. With suitable calibration, the temperature accuracy on the D6T 4X4 sensor can reach ±0.2degC, giving a reliable identification of fever, and a matrix type sensor makes it easy to separate human and background temperatures.

The Omron HVC-2 image sensors can detect faces, facial features and human bodies, even estimating age and gender of the humans in the captured image. Basic sensing functions could aid distancing in the workplace or public spaces by counting the number of people in the room or detecting when people are too close together. The sensor can also reduce physical interaction for customers who stand in front of digital signage, providing targeted messages to people in at-risk categories.

The Omron B5W-LB LCR contactless switch can be implemented in environments where the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses needs to be reduced, such as doors, drinks dispensers, light switches, soap dispensers and toilet flushes. The sensor is distinguished by the reliability and repeatability of detection performance, even when presented with target items of different colours and types of surface, including reflective surfaces. Long detection distance and a convergent light beam triggers accurately on an object within a tightly specified target area, ignoring any objects in the background or foreground.

@OmronEurope @NeeshamPR #Pauto #Safety

Measure for corona prevention.

FeverScreening App determines information about health status within milliseconds.

The concern about getting infected with Corona is currently present worldwide - not only in private life, but also in professional life and in public spaces. The virus has become a major challenge for numerous German companies and public authorities. Every employer wants to protect his employees as best as possible and therefore take effective preventive measures in this context.  Automation Technology (AT), has recently developed an innovative solution for the prevention of possible corona infected people - the so-called "FebriScan".

"It was important for us to offer a tool that not only works quickly but also reliably and can be used in a flexible manner. The Blackbody is immensely important for access control, as its reference value ensures that a highly accurate result is always obtained under all conditions. Therefore our FebriScan can be used everywhere and is also manageable in terms of costs", says AT CEO Michael Wandelt.

This is an access control system specially programmed by AT that is based on the interaction of an intelligent infrared camera from the IRSX-I series, a high-precision temperature reference body (blackbody) and a specially developed app for measuring body temperature. The special features of this tool: the fast measuring process, the high accuracy of the measurement as well as the uncomplicated setup. The installation of the three elements is very flexible and can be adapted and configured for different access areas. The FebriScan can be used either stationary in the entrance area of every company or mobile in public places such as railway stations, airports or public authorities.

If the access control is ready for use, the camera together with the blackbody measures within milliseconds whether the person has fever or whether this symptom typical for corona can be excluded. The temperature image is evaluated using the FeverScreening App developed by AT and the result is displayed on the screen as a numerical value and in the form of a red-green display. In this case, red stands for increased temperature or fever, while green indicates a harmless state of health.

#Medical #ATAutomationTechnology @PresseBox @PbConsumerDE  #coróinvíreas #COVID19 #coronavirus

Indoor air quality.

As a Health Safety and Environmental Consultant, Matthew Brown has experienced increased numbers of enquiries from organisations looking to investigate indoor air quality because of its effects on staff health and performance. Such work involves the monitoring of multiple parameters, and in a recent example Matthew rented a TSI QUEST EVM-7, one of the latest indoor air quality monitors from Ashtead Technology.

In response to health complaints from staff in a three-storey office complex containing approximately 800 staff, Matthew was approached and asked to investigate any possible effects from indoor air quality. “In the past, it would have been necessary to operate several instruments simultaneously,” Matthew explains. “But the QUEST EVM is able to monitor almost all of the pollutants of greatest concern, so the investigation work was significantly quicker and easier.”

With no natural ventilation in the building, air quality was controlled by a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and Matthew spent around 6 hours surveying the locations most likely to present air quality problems. Some of the staff had suggested that they may have received infections from the air, so in addition to the data provided by the instrument, Matthew also took samples for subsequent microbiological analysis.

The TSI QUEST EVM-7 is able to run from an internal rechargeable battery for up to 8 hours, monitoring Temperature, Relative Humidity, Air Velocity, Particulates (PM2.5, PM4, PM10 or TSP) Carbon Dioxide and VOCs. A separate toxic gas sensor provides the option of Carbon Monoxide, Chlorine, Ethylene Oxide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Oxygen or Sulphur Dioxide. The instrument also features an internal datalogger and a sampling pump if offsite analysis is required.

A large display with intuitive control enables rapid set-up; choosing logging and averaging rates for example. The display also allows the user to view trend graphing for measurements.

As a Gold Channel Partner for TSI Instruments, Ashtead Technology operates a fully equipped service and calibration laboratory from its facility in Sandy, Beds. As a result, Ashtead is able to ensure that these instruments, including the QUEST range, operate to their full capability.

Data from the instrument were compared with workplace exposure limits and were found to be acceptable; as were the microbiological results reported by the laboratory. However, Carbon Dioxide levels rose during the day, so it was recommended that flow rates should be increased in the afternoon. The building itself was 15 years old, so it was recommended that an assessment should be undertaken to check that the building management system was designed for, and able to cope with, the current level of occupancy. It was also recommended that the operation, maintenance and cleaning of the building management system should be better documented so that the organisation could demonstrate defensible processes if called to do so.

Commenting on the advantages provided by the QUEST EVM-7, Matthew says: “I know that Ashtead offers this instrument for sale, but for me it was more cost-effective to rent the unit for this small project.

“The instrument arrived clean, calibrated and ready for immediate use with an easy-to-use start-up procedure, and the ability to monitor such a wide variety of parameters with one lightweight instrument, meant that the whole job was simple to perform.

“With the benefit of the instrument’s data we were able to present a very professional report; appeasing the concerns of staff and recommending future actions for management.”

@ashteadtech #Environment @_Enviro_News 

Making life easier for H&S managers!

Life just got a little easier for health and safety specialists with Cirrus Research introducing the doseBadge5 with its new scheduled monitoring feature.

Taking time off need no longer strike fear into the hearts of H&S managers thanks to the new "Scheduled Measurements" function that allows the ability to automatically start and stop monitoring at pre-set times. And it is all achievable in just 4 steps:

• Step 1. Activating and configuring the Scheduled Measurement Function is easy using the doseBadge⁵ via either the NoiseTools software or the dBLink App for iOS and Android devices.
• Step 2. Then it is simply a matter of setting the start time, duration and end time for the measurement for full peace of mind whilst you are away.
• Step 3. Colleagues won't be able to complain about being left with the responsibility; all they have to do is collect the doseBadge⁵ from the charging dock, attach to the shoulder and the measurements will begin at the pre-set start time. The measurement will start at the pre-set time and continue throughout the day for the specified times and durations, collecting all the data you need. At the end of the day, the doseBadge⁵ back is put back on the charging dock.
• Step 4. The data will still be there waiting when the H&S manager returns and can be downloaded as normal from the doseBadge⁵ to generate any reports using the NoiseTools software.

"This is an excellent add-on to the doseBadge^5" said Cirrus Marketing Manager Jim Tingay. "Not only does it give real peace of mind for anyone who needs time away from their day to day job -  either for training or holidays - but it is so simple to set up with no effort on anyone else's part."

@cirrusresearch #PAuto #Safety 

Ensuring bottled beverage safety!

In an increasingly regulated and safety-conscious market, legislation such as the EU Directive for Bottled Water 98/88/EC (1998) drives the beverage industry to meet ever more stringent standards of quality. Microbial growth due to contaminated water or ingredients can cause discolouration, off flavours and shortened shelf-life. The threat of contamination is further increased as manufacturers respond to demands for less chemical additives and preservatives. Effective microbial disinfection of the whole process is therefore essential.

To meet this requirement, Cott Beverages has been using Hanovia UV disinfection technology to treat process water used in the production process. The company decided to use UV technology to ensure final product security prior to mixing and bottling and has been very satisfied with the performance of the UV systems.

“The Hanovia UV systems have been easy to integrate, maintain and operate,” said Chris Prentice, site service engineer at Cott Beverages. “They provide us with absolute insurance before bottling by making sure that we are producing and maintaining a high-quality product, which is essential for our brand.”

Hanovia’s PureLine UV is an intelligent system that is optimised for the beverage industry to simplify the treatment of water, sugar syrup, brine and even reducing chlorine and ozone. Critically, there are no microorganisms known to be resistant to UV – this includes pathogenic bacteria such as listeria, legionella and cryptosporidium (and its spores, which are resistant to chlorination). Unlike chemical treatment, UV does not introduce toxins or residues into process water and does not alter the chemical composition, taste, odour or pH of the fluid being disinfected.

UV is used for both primary disinfection or as a back-up for other purification methods such as carbon filtration, reverse osmosis or pasteurisation. Because UV has no residual effect, the best position for a treatment system is immediately prior to the point of use. This ensures incoming microbiological contaminants are destroyed and there is a minimal chance of post-treatment contamination.

UV disinfection systems are easy to install, with minimum disruption to the plant. They need very little maintenance, the only requirement being the replacement of the UV lamps every 9-12 months, depending on use. This is a simple operation that takes only a few minutes and can be carried out by trained general maintenance staff. Hanovia’s UVCare™ training programme supports businesses like Cott Beverages to make sure servicing is carried out by certified engineers.

@Hanovia_UV #FoodDrink @HHC_Lewis

Health and environment commitment leads to restructures.

Further underlining its commitment to the long term protection of employee health and the environment, Svantek has announced a major restructure to facilitate future growth and provide the platform for a series of exciting product launches in 2015, including Gilian personal air sampling pumps from US-based Sensidyne and Heat Shield Meter from Italian company, LSI Lastem.

Andy Carling

The leading manufacturer of occupational health and environmental noise and vibration monitoring instrumentation has split the business into two divisions. Long term employee, Claire Fawlk, will be Sales Manager for instruments aimed at environmental monitoring and protection. Andy Carling joins the company as Sales Manager for Health & Safety products.

A fully qualified occupational hygienist and highly experienced sales professional, Andy was previously employed at Mapal Green Energy as UK Sales Manager. Earlier roles include Field Sales Engineer at Tempcon Instrumentation Ltd and Air Quality Product Manager at H20 Chemicals Ltd.

John Shelton, Managing Director at Svantek comments: “The Svantek restructure is a critical next step as we implement our refreshed strategy and reinvigorate our growth momentum. It will help sharpen our focus on distinct markets and enable us to deliver increased productivity and further improvements in the quality of service and products we offer our customers.

“Andy brings significant instrumentation and capital equipment sales experience which will prove invaluable for both existing products and the new ranges planned for 2015. We wish both him and Claire every success in their respective roles.”

Google certified for health and safety and facilities management solutions!

Seton UK, a leading manufacturer and distributor of health and safety and facilities management solutions, was recently selected to join the Google Certified Shops program.

To help shoppers identify online merchants that offer a great shopping experience, the Google Certified Shops badge is awarded to e¬commerce sites that demonstrate a track record of on-¬time shipping and excellent customer service. When visiting the Seton website, shoppers will see a Google Certified Shops badge and can click on it for more information.

Chris Humphrey, Director of British Sales and Customer Service at Seton said: “Excellent customer service has always been the corner stone of the Seton business and we have worked hard to ensure this extends to our online customers by giving them the positive buying experience they expect and deserve. We are extremely pleased that this has been recognised by the inclusion of Seton within the Google Trusted Store program and this is a fantastic endorsement. Seton continues to adapt to current digital media and technology to enable us to best serve our customers”.

As an added benefit, when a shopper makes a purchase at a Google Certified Shops, they have the option to select free purchase protection from Google. Then in the unlikely event of an issue with their purchase, they can request Google’s help, and Google will work with Seton and the customer to address the issue. As part of this, Google offers up to £1,000 lifetime purchase protection for eligible purchases. Google Certified Shops is entirely free, both for shoppers and for online stores. The program helps online stores like Seton attract new customers, increase sales, and differentiate themselves by demonstrating excellent service via the badge on their website.

H & S in Irish SmartPly facility!

Recently RTÉ News (The Irish State broadcasting body) covered the €60 million expansion of the Coillte Smartply Facility in Belview Port, Waterford (IRL). Read-out has learned that Pilz Ireland are the lead H&S consultants for this project which is currently the largest industrial construction/manufacturing expansion project in the country.

Pic: Coillte

With an equipment spend of over €35 million which Pilz Ireland are also involved in for Design Stage Compliance Assessments, as well as the remaining budget which will be spent on the construction of a 9000 sq.m factory extension with all civil, mechanical, electrical services and significant Automation of Plant and Equipment this is a project which shows the breadth of knowledge, expertise and capacity within our building.

Pilz's lead engineer is Jack Collins, who with his strong background in construction and experience in more recent years in Machinery Safety upgrade projects with Pilz, made him the ideal candidate for leading this project supported by our in-house Consultants and Administration. "This is a great opportunity for Pilz Ireland and enables us to further demonstrate our multi-talented team capabilities in the market."

• SmartPly Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is the smart, cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to plywood. It is suitable for use in structural and non- structural applications. With unrivalled quality and environmental certification,