Pressure and Temperature Sensor Transducer Array: 5,984,874

A pressure or temperature sensor array utilizing a combination of liquid crystal material and charge coupled device (CCD) sensor array. The device generally comprises a liquid crystal material enclosed in a planar capsule, one side of which has a flexible outer membrane which is placed on the surface whose pressure and/or temperature is to be measured; a light source used to illuminate the liquid crystal material; and a charge coupled device (CCD) array which detects the variations in the optical signature of the liquid crystal material due to changes in pressure or temperature. The device may further include an optical waveguide for controlling transmission of light from the light source to the liquid crystal material.