IUCRC for Process Analytical Chemistry--Adaptation of Acoustic Time-Domain Reflectometry for the Development of Improved Membrane Smart Sensors

该奖项为一个“TIE”项目提供资金，用于在科罗拉多大学（CSTF）的NSF I/UCRC使用薄膜分离和华盛顿大学过程分析化学中心（CPAC）感兴趣的系统中应用声学来表征气相和液相包裹体的合作研究。拟议的“TIE”项目研究代表了新一代智能传感器开发预期长期合作的第一步。具体的研究目标包括将声波时域反射法应用于研究膜压实过程中孔隙结构的变化以及工艺流程中气泡大小和位置的变化。提高对这些现象的基本理解是成功开发基于膜的化学传感器所必需的。本研究以CSTF在声学和膜方面的现有优势以及CPAC在化学和化学处理方面的专业知识为基础，通过设计和制造可用于膜压实和气泡动力学的精密声学仪器，有效利用昂贵的资源。此外，在相对年轻的CSTF和成熟且非常成功的CPAC之间建立正式的“TIE”，将使CSTF能够从CPAC获得有关长期赞助商发展和促进与行业赞助商技术转让的宝贵信息。

ABSTRACT EEC-9526685 Burgess This award provides funding for a "TIE" project to pursue cooperative research in the application of acoustics for characterization of gas and liquid phase inclusions in systems of interest to the NSF I/UCRC for Separations Using Thin Films at the University of Colorado (CSTF) and the Center for Process Analytical Chemistry (CPAC) at the University of Washington. The proposed "TIE" project research represents the first step in an anticipated long-term collaboration towards the development of a new generation of smart sensors. The specific research objectives involve the adaptation of acoustic time-domain reflectometry to the study of changes in the pore structure which occur during membrane compaction and changes in bubble size and position which occur in process streams. An improved fundamental understanding of these phenomena is essential for successful development of membrane-based chemical sensors. The proposed research builds upon existing strengths in acoustics and membranes at CSTF and expertise in chemistry and chemical processing at CPAC, and makes effective use of costly resources by designing and fabricating sophisticated acoustic instrumentation that can be applied to both membrane compaction and bubble dynamics. In addition, the creation of a formal "TIE" between the relatively young CSTF and well-established and highly successful CPAC will enable CSTF to obtain valuable information from CPAC about long-term sponsor development and facilitation of technology transfer with industry sponsors.