# Slumbering Sensor Technology The Dormant Novel Sensors Developed for DARPA Use No Standby Power By Alyson Wyers | Published 2017-09-28 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/novel-sensors References: [techcrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/11/this-tiny-sensor-could-sleep-for-years-between-detection-events/) & [darpa.mil](https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2017-09-11) Developed for the [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pmt-critical-metals) ([DARPA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darpa-1)), these novel sensors are simultaneously dormant and always awake, becoming alert only when in the presence of a so-called signal of interest. DARPA believes this could enhance situational awareness for war-fighters. Adding to the Internet of Things (IoT), the novel sensors are capable of sleeping for years in between active periods. They are still able to detect events despite "[using virtually zero standby power](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meross-ms605-presence-sensor)" and not needing a battery top-up thanks to DARPA's Near Zero Power RF and Sensor Operation. Northwestern engineers worked on the sensors and referred to them as "a plasmonically-enhanced micromechanical photoswitch." The technology behind the tiny sensors was published recently in a Nature Nanotechnology paper. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Dormant Sensors:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation by developing sensors that can stay dormant for long periods of time, conserving power while still remaining alert. - **Near Zero Power RF:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation by creating RF and sensor operation technologies that use virtually zero standby power, eliminating the need for frequent battery top-ups. - **Plasmonically-enhanced Micromechanical Photoswitch:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation by exploring plasmonically-enhanced micromechanical photoswitches, which can enhance situational awareness for various industries. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Defense:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the defense industry by implementing dormant sensors for enhanced situational awareness for war-fighters. - **Iot:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the IoT industry by integrating near zero power RF and sensor operation technologies into IoT devices, enabling long-lasting battery life. - **Engineering:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the engineering industry by researching and developing plasmonically-enhanced micromechanical photoswitches for improved sensing capabilities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Battery-Free Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uci.md) - [Contactless Smart Sleep Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remwave-sleep.md) - [Sleep-Monitoring Pads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/isleepad.md) - [Slumber-Inducing Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleep-devices.md) - [Self-Powered Smart Pillows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-powered-smart-pillow.md) - [Wi-Fi-Enabled Senior Care Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wifi-sensing.md) - [Sleep Disorder-Detecting Pajamas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-pajama-top.md) - [AI Voice Detection Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polyn-technology.md) - [Upgraded Wireless Sensing Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wireless-sensing-technology.md)