Passive Resonant Sensors: Trends and Future Prospects

Sensors based on “resonance phenomenon” span a broad spectrum of important current applications including detection of biological and chemical agents, and measurements of physical quantities. Resonance phenomena occur with all types of waves: electromagnetic, optic, and acoustic. This review reports about the most recent advances in the design and applications of resonant “passive” sensors, i.e. resonant sensors able to operate with a distant power source and/or able to communicate with a distant transceiver. The sensors considered in this review include acoustic, magnetoelastic, and electromagnetic transducers. They are presented through their relevant technological aspects and through they major advantages which include their integrability within embedded systems and/or systems requiring energy autonomy. Furthermore, the use of these resonant sensors is illustrated in a large variety of applications, ranging from environmental monitoring, structural health monitoring, food packaging monitoring, wearable or implanted sensors for the monitoring of physiological parameters in healthcare related applications, to IoT and future industry monitoring applications.