Sensors in the car - more safety through less pressure
Whether in the gear, in the air-conditioning system or for the control of airbags - modern cars are no longer imaginable without sensors. The most important thing for the reliability of car sensors is their encapsulation. Although designed to protect the sensor against environmental impacts, it can for its part generate a considerable mechanical load which may cause a failure of the sensor functions. With a specially developed X-ray diffractometer, scientists of the PTB have now succeeded in performing a measurement of the mechanical stress condition of encapsulated silicon sensors. This is an important step towards the greater reliability of car sensors and, as such, provides for more safety. The X-ray diffractometer will also allow manufacturers and users of encapsulated sensors and other silicon chips to perform a non-destructive stress analysis. Further information is available at the SENSOR and TEST fair in Nuremberg from May 26 to 28, 2009, hall 12, stand 582. more... more...