Tuning Fork as a Sensor and Beyond

The tuning fork is a common item that is found in many timing devices. Recently, it has also found many other applications beyond the conventional timing applications. Tuning forks as chemical sensors and infrared/temperature sensors have been demonstrated in addition to applications other groups have demonstrated. Four different flavors of portable devices demonstrating the tuning fork sensor as a good candidate for an economical portable deployment sensor platform that can afford simple instrumentations, stability, reusability, sensitivity, low power consumption, low cost and relatively small size have also been shown. A new detection scheme to protect a generic sensor from damage, extend its dynamic range, improve its response time and potentially reduce noise has been proposed. In addition, sensitivity limitations of the tuning fork sensor that is above the typical thermal noise limit have been covered. Finally, challenges the sensor field is facing have been identified; demonstrated how specificity issue can be addressed through gas chromatography separation and techniques in improving selectivity and sensitivity of a gas chromatograph have been proposed.