New Battery-Free RFID Sensor Technology for New Applications
Use Cases in Care & Critical Infrastructure
The fill level, dilution and temperature of vaccine doses are monitored using RFID and sensor technology.
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Vaccine and Cold Chain Monitoring
Covid-19 vaccines must be stored at temperatures as low as -80°C, depending on the manufacturer. To ensure safe usability of the vaccine, compliance with the cold chain is required. Temperature deviations render the vaccine unusable. Additionally, a dilution of the vaccine is necessary prior to administration to patients. For temperature monitoring, an RFID sensor tag is applied to each vaccine vial. These capture both the fill level and the temperature of the respective vaccine dose. The fill level is monitored by a special liquid-sensing antenna on the tag.
Through the application of the RFID sensor tags, each vaccine dose has a unique identification number. This is read by RFID readers and the temperature and fill level information is transmitted. The cold chain of vaccine doses is monitored from the point of manufacture, increasing patient safety and reducing waste from unusable vaccine doses.
CARE FACILITIES
Smart Diapers with Sensor Technology
The application of an RFID sensor tag enables moisture monitoring in diapers. A manual check to determine whether a diaper change is required is no longer necessary. The battery-free sensor integrated in the tag measures the moisture in the diaper. The data is read out by means of an RFID reader. Reading is possible with both stationary readers and RFID handhelds.
Use Case: Care Facilities
Measuring the moisture of a diaper using sensor technology and RFID offers significant advantages for care. Remote reading of the moisture data minimizes stress for patients who would otherwise have to be checked manually on a regular basis. With the use of stationary readers, moisture data is collected in the rooms of individuals in need of care, for example. If increased moisture is measured, a warning is sent to the responsible nursing staff. The diaper is changed promptly and patient well-being is increased.
Smart diapers with RFID sensors automatically detect the need for a diaper change.
Larger data centers are classified as critical infrastructure. Optimal temperature and humidity management is needed for reliable operation.
SERVER MONITORING
Critical Infrastructure Monitored with Sensors
Data centers contain numerous switchgear and busbars, cooling systems with pumps and fans, and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Because data centers are classified as critical infrastructure, fault-free, continuous operation must be ensured. In this context, the environment in a data center makes the use of RFID technology difficult, as numerous metal objects are used there.
The Passive Sense Series tags have the ability to function in harsh environments, which includes metallic surfaces. The integrated sensors measure moisture as well as temperature in the data center. This information is read by RFID readers and transmitted to maintenance personnel. Deviations from a predetermined threshold trigger an alarm. Maintenance personnel are authorized to locate the tags and rectify faults.