PFI:AIR - TT: Microheater-based Platform for Combustible Gas Sensing

本项目致力于将加州大学伯克利分校S的低功率微型加热器传感器平台进行翻译，以满足对低功率可燃气体传感器的需求。对易燃气体的准确检测对许多工业过程的安全运行至关重要，特别是在石油和天然气行业。在工业环境中安装可燃气体监测仪网络可以实现快速泄漏检测，并提高安全性和环境保护。在炼油厂等危险设施中安装有线气体监测器的建设和检查成本令人望而却步。电池供电的无线监视器将消除这种安装负担，但当前可燃气体传感器技术对电力的高要求需要巨大、昂贵、沉重的电池，或者给设施人员带来极大的不便，他们必须每周更换电池。该项目致力于满足可燃气体传感器的需求，使其在保持灵敏度和寿命等性能参数的同时，具有比市面上最好的传感器低得多的功耗(至少100倍)。拟议的超低功率可燃气体传感器具有竞争灵敏度和使用寿命特性，将使工业环境中的可燃气体无线监控无处不在，从而增强安全性。此外，从长远来看，该技术可能会在智能手机中嵌入气体传感器，从而提高个人安全。对人力资源开发，特别是对研究生和本科生的培训也产生了重大影响。该项目的核心技术是悬挂式微加热器，上面涂有一种催化碳氢化合物燃烧的传感材料。这些微型加热器传感器只需要几兆瓦的功率就可以达到500°C的工作温度。然而，在开发可燃气体传感的商业原型方面仍然存在一些挑战。这些包括感应层与微加热器的稳定粘附性、材料的稳定性和传感器在适当大气条件下的响应，以及可重复的催化剂沉积。该项目在从发现研究转化为商业应用的过程中解决了这些技术差距。该项目将为研究生和本科生提供核心培训，他们将受益于表面化学、材料科学、电气工程和市场分析方面的跨学科培训。学生将不仅在研究方面获得经验，还将通过参与与行业领袖的会议获得技术演示方面的经验。这将为学生提供一个独特的体验，在研发和技术与市场之间的互联互通。此外，学生将能够利用伯克利哈斯商学院的资源(如Launch：伯克利创业大赛计划)以及CleanTech Open Accelerator计划获得创业/技术翻译培训。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating UC Berkeley?s low power microheater sensor platform to fill the need for low-power combustible gas sensors. Accurate detection of flammable gases is essential for safe operation of many industrial processes, especially in the oil and gas industry. Installing networks of combustible gas monitors in industrial settings can allow for rapid leak detection and increased safety and environmental protection. The construction and inspection cost associated with installing wired gas monitors in a hazardous facility, such as a refinery, are prohibitive. Battery-powered wireless monitors would eliminate this installation burden, but the high power requirements for current combustible gas sensor technology necessitate a large, expensive, heavy battery or represent a major inconvenience to facility personnel who must replace the battery as often as every week. This project focuses on addressing the need for combustible gas sensors with significantly lower power consumption (at least 100x) than the best commercially available sensor, while maintaining performance parameters such as sensitivity and lifetime. The proposed ultra-low power combustible gas sensor with competitive sensitivity and lifetime characteristics will enable ubiquitous wireless monitoring of combustible gases in industrial settings, resulting in enhanced safety. Furthermore, in the long-term, the technology may enable embedding gas sensors in smart phones, which will result in increased personal safety. Additional significant impact is on human resource development, in particular in the training of graduate and undergraduate students. The core technology in this project is a suspended microheater coated with a sensing material that catalyzes hydrocarbon combustion. These microheater sensors require only a few mW of power to reach operation temperatures of 500 °C. However, several challenges remain in developing a commercial prototype for combustible gas sensing. These include stable adhesion of the sensing layer to the microheater, stability of materials and sensor response in appropriate atmospheric conditions, and reproducible catalyst deposition. This project addresses these technology gaps as it translates from discovery research toward commercial application.The project will provide core training for graduate and undergraduate students who will benefit from interdisciplinary training in surface chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering and market analysis. The students will gain experience not only in research but also in technical presentation through their participation in meetings with industry leaders. This will provide the students with a unique experience in the interconnectivity between research and development and technology and the marketplace. In addition, the students will be able to take advantage of resources at the Haas School of Business at Berkeley (such as Launch: The Berkeley Start-Up Competition program) as well as the CleanTech Open Accelerator program to gain entrepreneurial/technology translation training.