Núcleo De Desenvolvimento E Inovação Em Sensores
SENSORS: THE MOTIVATION FOR LEARNING, TEACHING AND INNOVATING
Paulo Cesar de Camargo (LITS-UFPR , Curitiba-Paraná-Brazil, camargo@fisica.ufpr.br)
Cyro Ketzer Saul (LITS-UFPR , Curitiba-Paraná-Brazil, cyro@fisica.ufpr.br)
Aldacir Pazini (LITS-TECPAR, Curitiba-Paraná-Brazil, apazini@tecpar.br)
Abstract
Sensors are chosen as the focus of a new approach for learning, teaching and innovating. The fact that nowadays
there are sensors based on all types of physical, chemical and biochemical principles, is the focus that brings all natural
sciences and many technologies together.
The idea is explored from historical aspects, such as the difference of doing basic research nowadays and in the
eighteen’s century, but with emphasis on the recent trends, given by the popularization of personal computers and of
Internet. The fundamental aspect played by people feelings on being motivated is considered, and the presentation
explores the need for actions that change people attitude more than creating new courses or teaching techniques.
The aspect science-technology-society is approached; proposing a large educational program based on the use of
existing sensors in schools, fairs and museums. Because there sensors that detect all types of natural phenomena they
bring together all natural science and engineering disciplines, helping people to develop the ability to observe, compare
and judge. As far as teaching practice is concerned, the use of sensors are proposed to be the basis of a science teaching
program for all school levels and for continuous learning programs. It is discussed the fact that subject “sensors†can be
approached at any level from the most elementary proportionality point of view up, to the most sophisticated
nanotechnology, and data processing. Well designed sensors based, teaching program can take into account the
particular aspects of interest of each community, however keeping a common focus on sensors, but with approaches
rather different and adapted to specific characteristics. The role played by this program in each level of learning is listed
in a tabular form considering the level, or category, the objective and resources and the expected results. The program
proposed here is not a close proposal, but a reflection on an initiative that can have very positive effects on the interest
of people for learning about science and technology, creating also new opportunities for business.
The perspective of associating the generation of wealth, with motivation for learning and innovating is discussed
within the sensors program proposed. The first step along the lines suggested on this paper is given with the creation of
the Laboratory of Innovation on Sensor Technology - LITS.
Introduction
There was a time when theory of phlogistic was used to support the industry of material transformation, specially
metallurgy, and at that time, common people could imagine how the four elements that everyone could sense: air, water,
earth and fire, were used in industry and in natural processes. The theory was confusing, but public conferences were
regularly addressed to everyone, scientists, politicians, peasants, etc. They were all curious and trying to use this
confuse theory to understand the natural world. The idea of the existence of atoms already existed, but chemistry had
not been systematically organized.
Just before the French revolution (2nd half of 1700), it was Lavoisier that had the clearest perception that something
was wrong and he started a systematic research, measuring carefully quantities that allowed him to relate the world of
atoms with the manufacture of better metallurgical products.
If from one hand Lavoisier’s great contribution created the basis of the chemical industry revolution, from the other
hand the sophistication and the need of a systematic rational and structured approach made things much less attractive
to people without the necessary background.
Natural sciences like chemistry, physics and biology have advanced to such a point that, even our best trained and
most qualified persons, have a hard time in being able to imagine what happens in areas where he/she is not a specialist.
Nowadays, the techniques used for measurements go from the large astrophysical quantities down to the atomic and
nuclear scale. The so-called nanotechnology is based on lengths in the scale of one billionth of a meter and in concepts
that violate every one common sense.
In this very complex world, the question of how can we motivate our population to understand science and
technology, or at least attend to a conference on science and technology leaving the conference motivated, is a very hard
one. It has been largely recognized that this is a major problem faced by all of us and it corresponds to the core question
addressed at this conference.
The present paper intend to shine some light on this complex situation pointing out a general approach that involves
all five sub-themes of the conference.
Focusing on the theme “Sensorsâ€, the first sub-theme science-technology-society is approached, proposing a large
educational program based on the use of existing sensors in schools, fairs and museums. The second sub-theme, content
areas corresponds to the core of what is proposed here, because there are sensors to detect all types of natural
phenomena, bringing together all natural science and engineering disciplines. As far as teaching practice is concerned,
the use of sensors can be the basis of a science teaching program for all schools and continuous learning programs. It is
not obvious, but interesting to note that the subject “sensors†can be approached at any level from the most elementary
proportionality point of view, up to the most sophisticated nanotechnology, and data processing. Concerning to
assessment, one should consider that each community has its own needs, which can have the common focus on sensors,
but with approaches rather different and adapted to specific characteristics. Finally the history and philosophy of
science is the aspect mentioned in the beginning of this introduction.
Measure, quantify and motivate
What really matters are the people’s feelings, because, within people’s feelings is where motivation “lives†and
motivation is what makes people spend time and energy in doing something boring, like measuring and calculating. In
1987 the newspaper Toronto Star of the city of Toronto in Canada promoted a series of meetings on the theme “What
We Want From Our Schoolsâ€[1]. The meetings had involved schoolteachers, administrators, businessmen and
politicians.
Besides all the obvious conclusions of the difficulties and complains, one of the most striking was that society wants
people that are able to communicate and able to relate themselves with other people. Relating to other people also
means being able to write, read and judge, which frequently implies in having some background on language and ideas
of proportionality, for example.
One can say that this is exactly what our schools are doing. However, the question of doing it in the most effective
way is what matters. A suggestion of a new approach, in the framework of science and technology, is the aim of what is
treated in the following paragraphs and sections.
Personal motivation is linked to someone’s personality, but depends strongly on opportunities offered by the society,
and also on challenges that people think they can overcome. Most people like to satisfy their curiosity, but also like to
be rewarded for their contribution. The next paragraphs intend to show that sensors can be the focus of a new approach
that will bring the motivation for people to learn about science, to quantify things and to generate wealth, creating a
culture of innovation.
The decade of 1980 was characterized by the spreading of the use of personal computers and it can be considered
the decade of the increase in the capacity of storing and processing information [2].
During the 90’s the capacity of storing and processing kept increasing, but the availability of Internet was the
important leap and that decade can be considered the decade of the popularization of the access to the information [2].
This first decade of XXI century already shows clear signs of the trend described above. The "stars" of the decade,
most of the time have very small dimensions, microscopic in many cases, and are produced with a wide variety of
technologies and materials, some of them discovered only recently. These new stars are the sensors that provide the
information for the already fast, reliable and large capacity systems. The miniaturization and the evolution of
informatics are the key facts that have created the new opportunity treated here.
In fact, defining sensor as an element that senses something, making the conversion to a measurable quantity, send
us back to the Roman Empire, when devices to measure water consumption were already used. The differences now are
the sensitivity, the varieties and sizes available, together with the huge availability of reading, storing and processing
information at relatively low cost. One can say that the sensors are providing computers the capacity of hearing, seeing,
smelling, tasting and touching the environment. In some aspects the sensors provide the capacity that goes far beyond
the human possibilities.
Despite of the promising market for new sensors, there are already a great variety of sensors available and an
increasing need to monitor things. The Romans could make mistakes of a few percent in their water control without
problems, but nowadays, population has increased to a level that requires very tight monitoring for public services, such
as supply of energy and water. Controlling air, water and soil pollution is becoming more and more critical, and a large
number and better monitoring systems are a necessity. Many industries, public and private services, and individuals will
have increasing benefits from the use of sensors. Therefore, this is probably one of the most promising fields for new
enterprises and consequently for the so desirable innovations.
Technological Opportunities and Difficulties
The proprietary characteristics of sensors, i.e., the technology for each sensor depending strongly on final
application of it, is an aspect that makes this field highly attractive for a country like Brazil. In fact, the country can
rapidly become self sufficient on adapting existing technologies, even if mastering the technology of production of
many sensors is not easily reached, or not even desirable. In fact, this aspect is similar to the situation of personal
computers, or automobile industry, where the technology is very internationalized and interdependent, but in the case of
sensors there are many possibilities of being self-sufficient.
The other important aspect is the variety of applications ready to apply adapted sensors, which include optimization
and continuous control of water, air and energy. The benefits for the environment are limited only by our imagination.
Accidents can be avoided by continuous monitoring the physical integrity of industrial equipment and reservoirs.
The technology of making sensors ranges from silk screen methods, with the so called thick film technology to the
nanotechnology, so that, one can choose the most convenient technological level.
As an example, sensors based on fiber optics that are produced in Brazil, are obtained making small physical and
chemical modification on the commercial optical fiber and they can monitor mechanical behavior of structures and
equipment [3], quality of water [4] and bio-specific interactions [5].
This paper does not intend to discuss the technology, but to point out the need to develop a culture on sensors and to
start soon to avoid missing the opportunities that are in front of our eyes. These opportunities will be available for
people that catch the essence of this new wave.
At first sight the opportunities seam to be open only for first world countries, with a highly educated population,
however, considering that microcomputers and internet are being incorporated at all levels of instruction, one can
imagine that the use of sensors can also follow the same trend. In fact, it is more a matter of a new attitude than that of
specific knowledge. People use well cell phones without knowing any detail of it and sensors are far less complex in
many cases.
The variety of sensor types and operation conditions needed, opens possibilities that includes production, but
applications and development of new technologies using the market available sensors is likely to be the a more
promising aspect, as far as business opportunities are concerned.
Only for the technology of micro-sensors (MEMS) the projected world market is of US$35 billions [6,7].
Sensors Learning and Teaching Program
Sensors are already incorporated in all living creatures. The human body is full of a variety of sensors, for example,
the skin detects temperature, heat, humidity and pressure, the eyes detect light and movement, our nose detects some
pollutants of air and the taste of water can indicate many pollutants. Some turtles, bees and birds use magnetic sensors
to orient themselves [8]. All this is being used in a very effectively way, without any trouble in understanding details.
Therefore, a first aspect that an ambitious sensors learning and teaching program must consider is that we are
copying nature and extending already existing possibilities. A second aspect to be considered is that at Lavoisier’s time
(2nd half of 1700), one individual could have its own laboratory, make fundamental discoveries and be a successful
entrepreneur, however, nowadays fundamental discoveries are made by groups of researchers forming international
networks and having first class, very expensive infrastructure. A third aspect is that this is a multifaceted program that
can start at all levels at the same time, but must have a clear and motivating focus.
Under these aspects the program must bring up the consciousness of the role of sensors in understanding nature, the
large variety of systems that already use sensors, the new opportunities open to people on learning and on generating
new business with relatively low investment.
In that sense the authors have proposed the workshop “SENSORS: A Corrida do Ouro do Século XXI†promoted by
ABINEE-PR (Associação Brasileira da Industria Eletro-Eletrônica), LITS (Laboratório de Inovação em Tecnologia de
Sensores), TECPAR (Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná) and UFPR (Universidade Federal do Paraná), sponsored by
IFM-Electronic, IEL (Instituto Euvaldo Lodi), Renault do Brasil, PETROBRAS, Rede Paraná Autotech, Paraná-
Tecnologia and MCT (Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia), and supported by SMAR Sensores, SINAEES-PR
(Sindicato Nacional da Industria Eletro-Eletrônica), TURCK Sensores, CTA (Centro Técnico Aeroespacial), SIMEPAR
(Instituto Tecnológico Simepar), SETI (Secretaria Estadual de Ciência Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) and FINEP
(Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos) and organized by HAWK BRASIL, at Curitiba during the 20th and 21st of
November of 2001. During that workshop the "LITS - Laboratório de Inovação em Tecnologia de Sensores"
(Laboratory of Innovation on Sensor Technology) was officially created with the mission of disseminating the culture
of sensors use in our society, develop sensor applications and research new sensor technologies. The LITS is planned to
act on all levels of education and research, keeping a wide network of collaboration with schools of all levels, industries
and government.
In order to fix some of the ideas presented the teaching levels involved and action are presented in a tabular format.
Category
Objective and resources
Results
Elementary
Dissemination of the idea and awake of School children motivated to understand
curiosity.
sensors.
Schools laboratories, fairs and
Common people curious to learn about sensors
museums.
and its possibilities.
Technical Level
Train people on use and maintenance of - Competence + knowledge of market.
sensors available.
- Optimization of processes.
Technical schools & Companies
Innovation of process & product
University Level
Qualify engineers and scientists in
Development of products and processes.
sensor technology and market.
Innovations with sensors including software,
National and International Universities, products and processes.
Companies and Research Institutes.
Professional
Business and Technical directed
Development and adaptation of new processes
Graduate Program
Research.
and products.
National and International Universities, Innovation of products and processes, including
Companies and Research Institutes,
managing.
including business and administration.
Academic
Basic Research in Materials, Processes
New advanced Technologies.
Graduate Program
and New Concepts.
Radical Innovation.
National and International Universities, Highly Technology Updated People.
Companies and Research Institutes.
This program must have a strong emphasis on the formation of networks with other research centers, universities
and companies around the world. The sensors program is designed to create opportunities for people to grow as persons,
learning an updated subject that opens opportunities for them, but also knowing other people, places and cultures. The
dissemination of entrepreneurship and the capacity of generating Innovations are intrinsically linked to this view of
sensors.
This is an ambitious project and several steps are to be overcome. As a result of consistent actions, an already
constructed area of 200 m2, was assigned to the LITS in the TECPAR (Instituto de Tecnologia do Parana) in Curitiba-
PR. Paraná State Government already provided an initial budget of almost three hundred thousand reais, for
infrastructure and equipment. An agreement on transfer of technology in sensors is already established with the CTA
(Centro Técnico Aeroespacial).
As far as, the educational part is concerned the team involved is analyzing other programs already established. There
are a number of very interesting isolated initiatives, but as for our knowledge there is no parallel in the world, to the
global approach as proposed here.
At the University level, a specific degree similar to the French, Diploma de Etudes Scientific Superior-DESS on the
Physique des Capteurs et Systemas de Mesure of Université du Paris VI, VII in collaboration with the Conservatoire de
Arts et Metiers-CNAM, is under consideration to be implemented in Curitiba-PR. Similarly to the French system this
shall be a new complementary partial degree directed towards training people for companies or for them to open their
own business with a strong support of private sector. The international cooperation with exchange of students,
professionals an opportunities for internship are being considered, together with the different and complementary
realities.
Conclusion
The idea of using sensors as a focus for a new view of science and technology teaching, is based on developing the
motivation due to the challenge the sensors pose to peoples understanding, and also because they may lead to new low
cost and high profit business. From the point of view of public politics, there are enough evidences that society will
depend more and more, on precise monitoring of consumption of energy and water and also on measurements of quality
of air, water, soil and food.
A first step on creating a culture where people is motivated to learn about what happens around them, is given with
the creation of the LITS (Laboratorio de Inovação em Tecnologia de Sensores). The authors hope this paper will
stimulate new initiatives along the same line, and that this will form an effective network of learning, teaching and
innovating.
References
[1] – Report card on Our Schools. A Reprint of a Six-Part Series. Published as Special Report of Toronto Star.
Copyright(c) 1987.
[2] - Paul Saffo "Sensors: The Next Wave of Innovation." www.acm.org/cacm/FEB97/saffo.html Institute for the
Future, (1997)
[3] – Homola Jiri, Sinclair S. Yee, Gunter Gauglitz, “Surface plasmon resonance sensors: review .“ Sensors and
Actuators B, 54, (1999) 3 –15
[4] - Azedine Charef, Antoine Ghauch, Patrick Baussand and Michel Martin-Bouyer, “Water quality monitoring
using a smart sensing systemâ€, Measurement, 28 (2000) 219-224
[5] - C. K. Y. Leung, “Fiber optic sensors in concrete: the future?â€, NDT & E International, 34 (2001) 85-94
[6] - Guido Tschulena, “Market Analysis for Microsystems 1996 – 2002†- www.sgt-sensor.de/NEXUS.html
[7] - Azedine Charef, Antoine Ghauch, Patrick Baussand and Michel Martin-Bouyer, “Water quality monitoring
using a smart sensing systemâ€, Measurement, 28 (2000) 219-224
[8] – Kathryn Brown, MAGNETORECEPTION:Animal Magnetism Guides Migration
Science 2001 October 12; 294: 283-284
Keywords: Sensor technology, wealth generation, technological training, networking, entrepreneurship,
technological innovation
