E+E Elektronik has produced the first ever true monolithic humidity/ temperature sensor – the HMC01. The HMC01 design is extraordinary, because on one and the same thin glass substrate the temperature sensor and directly above the humidity sensor are located.

Conventional combined humidity/temperature sensors always consist of two substrates glued together, each with one sensor. This causes several practical and technical measurement problems, such as the loss of accuracy due the separation of substrates. According to the company’s press release, the HMC01 has been designed for stable and accurate humidity and temperature measurements in demanding industrial applications as the monolithic design creates an exceptional thermal connection between the humidity and temperature element, allowing for extremely accurate measurements in moderate to high levels of humidity.

For measurement in continuous high humidity with risk of condensation, the sensor can be operated in a controlled heating mode to prevent high humidity drift. The temperature sensor can also be used to regularly heat up the humidity sensor to high temperatures for regenerating it. This function is beneficial in demanding applications in industrial processes where there are high concentrations of chemicals, solvents or cleaning agents. Heating up the sensor expels foreign molecules and the humidity sensor will be cleansed. The humidity sensor returns to its original calibration and quickly starts to deliver accurate measurements again.