
EMFIT, also referred to as EMFi, is a ferroelectret film related to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors. It is an electroactive polymer (EAP) based on a polyolefin structure and consists of three layers of polyester film. Its application in geophysical monitoring has not been reported in the literature. At present, EMFIT is mainly employed in ballistocardiography and medical sleep monitoring, as developed by the manufacturer Emfit Ltd. (Vaajakoski, Finland). Within the multidisciplinary monitoring network of the National Institute for Earth Physics (NIEP), EMFIT is used as a pressure sensor in combination with infrasound transducers and microphones deployed in seismic areas. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate its suitability for detecting seismic noise that precedes earthquakes, generated by rock fracturing associated with crustal deformation. Although similar studies have been reported, they have not involved the use of EMFIT sensors. The novelty of this approach lies in the large surface area and mechanical flexibility of the material. Beyond seismic forecasting, the research also examines whether this type of sensor can contribute to seismic monitoring as a complement to conventional instruments such as accelerometers, seismometers, and microbarometers. Data analysis relies primarily on spectral time-series methods and incorporates measurements from other acoustic sensors (microphones and microbarometers) as well as a weather station. The working hypothesis is the potential correlation between the recorded data and the presence of enhanced noise prior to the detection of seismic waves by standard seismic sensors. The target area for this investigation is Vrancea, specifically the Vrâncioaia seismic station, where multidisciplinary monitoring includes infrasound, radon, thoron, soil temperature, and atmospheric electrical discharges. Preliminary tests suggest that the EMFIT sensor may function as a highly sensitive device, effectively serving as an “ear” for detecting ground noise.
Article
Article
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
