For decades, RAIN RFID tags have been used for item identification. Tens of billions of these low-cost tags are being consumed globally every year, and there's still a long way to go before the market is saturated. While it's easy to focus on the large numbers, the technology itself has continued to develop, now offering more than just basic identification.
Passive tags can now monitor and report environmental conditions and the status of the items they are attached to. For example, temperature sensors in most modern tags provide accurate readings within +/-1°C, making them useful for tracking temperature-sensitive items. Beyond that, today’s passive sensor tags can detect and report other conditions like moisture, strain, material density, and more. Some specific applications include:
- Detecting leaks in petroleum pipes
- Monitoring resin arrival in composite material manufacturing
- Tracking resin curing status
- Measuring strain in helicopter blades
The possibilities are expanding, with external sensors integrated into the tags that can measure things like pH levels, vibration, gas pressure, and even more accurate 2D strain. Many of these capabilities are available in standard label formats, while others require more specialized materials.
All of this is compatible with SensThys readers and PhySens software, available for download on the SensThys website.