Air Option 1: Technology Translation - Functionalized III-V Nitride based Microelectromechanical Sensors for Neutron Detection

这个PFI：空气技术翻译项目专注于翻译基于III-V氮化物压阻式微悬臂梁的中子探测器技术，以填补由于全球严重短缺He-3而导致的中子探测领域的关键技术空白。转换后的技术有以下独特特点：(1)微悬臂梁传感器的真空封闭，这将导致高灵敏度的核辐射检测，以及保护传感器免受环境和有害辐射的影响，从而提高传感器的可靠性；(2)有可能使用通过微制造技术实现的传感器阵列，从而提供成像能力和方向性信息；(3)使用双峰探测技术和两个功能层对中子进行高效和独特的探测。因此，与该市场领域领先的基于Boron-10的竞争中子探测技术相比，它提供了堪称典范的性能、成本节约和效率。该项目通过使用具有独特材料性质的相对廉价的材料并采用涉及上述设计特征的设计策略来实现这一目标，从而产生了一种新型的中子探测器原型。该伙伴关系与萨凡纳河国家实验室合作，在氦气检测市场空间和包括原型测试和技术商业化在内的其他方面提供指导，因为这些方面涉及将技术转化为可能导致竞争性商业现实的道路的潜力。预计未来八年潜在的经济影响将达到数千万美元，这将有助于美国在这个高度关键的中子探测市场领域的竞争力。从长远来看，其社会影响将是创造高科技劳动力和一个更安全的社会，极大地减轻与核有关的威胁。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating III-V Nitride piezoresistive microcantilever based neutron detector technology to fill the critical technology gap in the neutron detection area arising out of severe worldwide shortage of He-3. The translated technology has the following unique features: (i) vacuum enclosure of the microcantilever sensors, which will result in highly sensitive detection of nuclear radiation, as well as protection of the sensor from environment and unwanted radiation enhancing sensor reliability; (ii) possibility of using arrays of sensors realized through microfabrication techniques, which can offer imaging capabilities and directionality information; (iii) the usage of bimodal detection technique and two functionalization layers to perform highly efficient and unique detection of neutrons. Thus, it provides exemplary performance, cost savings and efficiency when compared to the leading competing neutron detection technology based on Boron-10 in this market space. The project accomplishes this goal by using a relatively inexpensive material with unique material properties and adopting a design strategy involving the design features mentioned above, resulting in a novel neutron detector prototype. The partnership engages Savannah River National Laboratory to provide guidance in the He-detection market space and other aspects including prototype testing and technology commercialization, as they pertain to the potential to translate the technology along a path that may result in a competitive commercial reality. The potential economic impact is expected to be in several tens of millions of dollars in the next eight years, which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in this highly critical neutron detection market space. The societal impact, long term, will be in the creation of high-tech workforce and a safer society with vastly mitigated nuclear related threats.