Technique-Dependent Relationship between Local Ski Bending Curvature, Roll Angle and Radial Force in Alpine Skiing.

Skiing technique, and performance are impacted by the interplay between ski and snow. The resulting deformation characteristics of the ski, both temporally and segmentally, are indicative of the unique multi-faceted nature of this process. Recently, a PyzoFlex® ski prototype was presented for measuring the local ski curvature (w″), demonstrating high reliability and validity. The value of w″ increases as a result of enlargement of the roll angle (RA) and the radial force (RF) and consequently minimizes the radius of the turn, preventing skidding. This study aims to analyze segmental w″ differences along the ski, as well as to investigate the relationship among segmental w″, RA, and RF for both the inner and outer skis and for different skiing techniques (carving and parallel ski steering). A skier performed 24 carving and 24 parallel ski steering turns, during which a sensor insole was placed in the boot to determine RA and RF, and six PyzoFlex® sensors were used to measure the w″ progression along the left ski (w1-6″). All data were time normalized over a left-right turn combination. Correlation analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was conducted on the mean values of RA, RF, and segmental w1-6″ for different turn phases [initiation, center of mass direction change I (COM DC I), center of mass direction change II (COM DC II), completion]. The results of the study indicate that, regardless of the skiing technique, the correlation between the two rear sensors (L2 vs. L3) and the three front sensors (L4 vs. L5, L4 vs. L6, L5 vs. L6) was mostly high (r > 0.50) to very high (r > 0.70). During carving turns, the correlation between w″ of the rear (w1-3″) and that of front sensors (w4-6″) of the outer ski was low (ranging between -0.21 and 0.22) with the exception of high correlations during COM DC II (r = 0.51-0.54). In contrast, for parallel ski steering, the r between the w″ of the front and rear sensors was mostly high to very high, especially for COM DC I and II (r = 0.48-0.85). Further, a high to very high correlation (r ranging between 0.55 and 0.83) among RF, RA, and w″ of the two sensors located behind the binding (w2″,w3″) in COM DC I and II for the outer ski during carving was found. However, the values of r were low to moderate (r = 0.04-0.47) during parallel ski steering. It can be concluded that homogeneous ski deflection along the ski is an oversimplified picture, as the w″ pattern differs not only temporally but also segmentally, depending on the employed technique and turn phase. In carving, the rear segment of the outer ski is considered to have a pivotal role for creating a clean and precise turn on the edge.

Study of Pressure Distribution in Floor Tiles with Printed P(VDF:TrFE) Sensors for Smart Surface Applications.

Pressure sensors integrated in surfaces, such as the floor, can enable movement, event, and object detection with relatively little effort and without raising privacy concerns, such as video surveillance. Usually, this requires a distributed array of sensor pixels, whose design must be optimized according to the expected use case to reduce implementation costs while providing sufficient sensitivity. In this work, we present an unobtrusive smart floor concept based on floor tiles equipped with a printed piezoelectric sensor matrix. The sensor element adds less than 130 µm in thickness to the floor tile and offers a pressure sensitivity of 36 pC/N for a 1 cm2 pixel size. A floor model was established to simulate how the localized pressure excitation acting on the floor spreads into the sensor layer, where the error is only 1.5%. The model is valuable for optimizing the pixel density and arrangement for event and object detection while considering the smart floor implementation in buildings. Finally, a demonstration, including wireless connection to the computer, is presented, showing the viability of the tile to detect finger touch or movement of a metallic rod.

Validation of a Sensor-Based Dynamic Ski Deflection Measurement in the Lab and Proof-of-Concept Field Investigation.

Introduction: Ski deflection is a performance-relevant factor in alpine skiing and the segmental and temporal curvature characteristics (m−1) along the ski have lately received particular attention. Recently, we introduced a PyzoFlex® ski deflection measurement prototype that demonstrated high reliability and validity in a quasi-static setting. The aim of the present work is to test the performance of an enhanced version of the prototype in a dynamic setting both in a skiing-like bending simulation as well as in a field proof-of-concept measurement. Material and methods: A total of twelve sensor foils were implemented on the upper surface of the ski. The ski sensors were calibrated with an empirical curvature model and then deformed on a programmable bending robot with the following program: 20 times at three different deformation velocities (vslow, vmedium, vfast) with (1) central bending, (2) front bending, (3) back bending, (4) edging left, and (5) edging right. For reliability assessment, pairs of bending cycles (cycle 1 vs. cycle 10 and cycle 10 vs. cycle 20) at vslow, vmedium, and vfast and between pairs of velocity (vslow vs. vmedium and vslow vs. vfast) were evaluated by calculating the change in the mean (CIM), coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3.1) with a 95% confidence interval. For validity assessment, the calculated segment-wise mean signals were compared with the values that were determined by 36 infrared markers that were attached to the ski using an optoelectrical measuring system (Qualisys). Results: High reliability was found for pairs of bending cycles (CIM −0.69−0.24%, max CV 0.28%, ICC 3.1 > 0.999) and pairs of velocities (max CIM = 3.03%, max CV = 3.05%, ICC 3.1 = 0.997). The criterion validity based on the Pearson correlation coefficient was r = 0.98. The accuracy (systematic bias) and precision (standard deviation), were −0.003 m−1 and 0.047 m−1, respectively. Conclusions: The proof-of-concept field measurement has shown that the prototype is stable, robust, and waterproof and provides characteristic curvature progressions with plausible values. Combined with the high laboratory-based reliability and validity of the PyzoFlex® prototype, this is a potential candidate for smart ski equipment.

A Novel Sensor Foil to Measure Ski Deflections: Development and Validation of a Curvature Model.

The ski deflection with the associated temporal and segmental curvature variation can be considered as a performance-relevant factor in alpine skiing. Although some work on recording ski deflection is available, the segmental curvature among the ski and temporal aspects have not yet been made an object of observation. Therefore, the goal of this study was to develop a novel ski demonstrator and to conceptualize and validate an empirical curvature model. Twenty-four PyzoFlex® technology-based sensor foils were attached to the upper surface of an alpine ski. A self-developed instrument simultaneously measuring sixteen sensors was used as a data acquisition device. After calibration with a standardized bending test, using an empirical curvature model, the sensors were applied to analyze the segmental curvature characteristic (m-1) of the ski in a quasi-static bending situation at five different load levels between 100 N and 230 N. The derived curvature data were compared with values obtained from a high-precision laser measurement system. For the reliability assessment, successive pairs of trials were evaluated at different load levels by calculating the change in mean (CIM), the coefficient of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3.1) with a 95% confidence interval. A high reliability of CIM -1.41-0.50%, max CV 1.45%, and ICC 3.1 > 0.961 was found for the different load levels. Additionally, the criterion validity based on the Pearson correlation coefficient was R2 = 0.993 and the limits of agreement, expressed by the accuracy (systematic bias) and the precision (SD), was between +9.45 × 10-3 m-1 and -6.78 × 10-3 m-1 for all load levels. The new measuring system offers both good accuracy (1.33 × 10-3 m-1) and high precision (4.14 × 10-3 m-1). However, the results are based on quasi-static ski deformations, which means that a transfer into the field is only allowed to a limited extent since the scope of the curvature model has not yet been definitely determined. The high laboratory-related reliability and validity of our novel ski prototype featuring PyzoFlex® technology make it a potential candidate for on-snow application such as smart skiing equipment.

A luminescence lifetime-based capillary oxygen sensor utilizing monolithically integrated organic photodiodes.

A novel optical sensor device monolithically integrated on a glass capillary is presented. Therefore, we took advantage of the ability to fabricate organic optoelectronic devices on non-planar substrates. The functionality of the concept is demonstrated by realizing an integrated oxygen sensor based on luminescence decay time measurement.

Enabling luminescence decay time-based sensing using integrated organic photodiodes.

The use of organic photodiodes (OPDs) for measuring phosphorescent lifetimes of optochemical oxygen sensors is described. Phosphorescent indicators with lifetimes ranging from ∼5 to 60 µs have been studied using light-emitting diodes as the excitation source and organic photodiodes integrated into the sensor substrate for detection. A measurement system using an adjusted electronic circuitry to detect photocurrents in the nanoampere range is presented. The response behaviour of the organic photodiodes has been characterized, and it was found that a forward (positive) bias had to be applied in order to decrease the response time of the OPDs to a range suitable for phosphorescence decay time measurements. A modulation cutoff frequency of ∼100 kHz has been determined, corresponding to a response time of the organic photodiodes of 1.6 µs. Two sensor dyes have been characterized regarding their lifetimes upon exposure to 0-20% oxygen, and it was shown that results comparable to literature data and inorganic photodetectors can be achieved.