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

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译加州大学伯克利分校？S低功耗微加热器传感器平台填补了对低功耗可燃气体传感器的需求。准确检测可燃气体对于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工业中。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。在危险设施（如炼油厂）安装有线气体监测器的建设和检查成本令人望而却步。电池供电的无线监测仪将消除这种安装负担，但目前可燃气体传感器技术的高功率要求需要一个大、贵、重的电池，或者给设施人员带来很大的不便，因为他们必须每周更换电池。该项目的重点是解决可燃气体传感器的需求，该传感器的功耗要比市面上最好的传感器低得多（至少100倍），同时保持灵敏度和寿命等性能参数。提出的超低功耗可燃气体传感器具有具有竞争力的灵敏度和寿命特性，将使工业环境中无处不在的可燃气体无线监测成为可能，从而提高安全性。此外，从长远来看，该技术可以在智能手机中嵌入气体传感器，从而提高人身安全。对人力资源发展，特别是对研究生和本科生的培训，也有重大影响。该项目的核心技术是一种悬浮微加热器，该微加热器表面涂有一种催化碳氢化合物燃烧的传感材料。这些微加热器传感器只需要几兆瓦的功率就能达到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，材料的稳定性和传感器在适当大气条件下的响应，以及可再生的催化剂沉积。该项目解决了从发现研究到商业应用的这些技术差距。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等跨学科培训。学生不仅可以获得研究经验，还可以通过参加与行业领导者的会议获得技术演示的经验。这将为学生提供独特的体验，了解研发、技术和市场之间的相互联系。此外，学生将能够利用伯克利哈斯商学院的资源（如启动：伯克利创业竞赛项目）以及清洁技术开放加速器项目，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.