PFI:AIR - TT: Development of Tools and Methods for Extended Maturity Analysis of Concrete

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译一个微尺度的水应力和温度传感器，用于实时监测混凝土在养护过程中的化学状态，以及精确预测混凝土的机械性能。水状态和温度的HydroT传感器及其扩展成熟度分析非常重要，因为它们可以改善混凝土在养护过程中的性能控制。混凝土结构养护不当会产生应力，从而导致开裂和最终破坏。混凝土养护的实时传感和监测将改善其功能，延长其使用寿命，并减少这种能源密集型材料的全球使用。该项目将产生HydroT传感器的原型，在混凝土养护中使用这些传感器的扩展成熟度方法的初步开发，以及对该技术商业化的优先市场的更好理解。HydroT传感器具有以下独特功能：1)测量混凝土中相关范围内的水应力的空前灵敏度。这种能力将允许首次将水状态纳入施工期间跟踪和控制混凝土性能的方法中。2)利用微加工技术集成水与温度传感。这种方法将通过利用微加工代工厂的现有能力，实现简单、低成本的规模化生产。3)体积小，与电子、通信简单集成。这些特点将降低行业采用的门槛。综上所述，这些特点意味着HydroT技术将为混凝土行业提供一项重要的新功能（水状态传感），该设备可以取代传统成熟度分析中使用的温度探头，成本和技术复杂性相似。为了将HydroT探针和扩展成熟度分析转化为商业应用，该团队将在硬件和应用方面追求理解和技术方法的进步。这些发展将涉及在操纵关键材料（如多孔膜）特性的能力方面的根本性进步，以及在定义重要类别的混凝土成熟度时对水分和温度耦合的更深入理解。此外，该团队将对市场、竞争对手和潜在的制造和分销合作伙伴进行更深入的了解。在整个过程中，团队的目标是加强其知识产权地位，并建立一个由企业家和技术人员组成的核心团队，使项目成为一家成功的初创公司。作为项目的一部分，相关人员——本科生、研究生和博士后——将通过参与康奈尔大学技术转让办公室的专利申请过程，以及康奈尔大学种子前研讨会和技术加速器项目eLabs等活动，获得创新、创业和技术转化方面的经验。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating a microscale sensor of water stress and temperature for real-time monitoring of the chemical state within concrete during curing, and for refined predictions of the concrete's mechanical properties. The HydroT sensor of water status and temperature, and the Extended Maturity Analysis that it will enable, are important because they will allow for improved control of the properties of concrete during curing. Improper curing of concrete structures can cause stress that may lead to cracking and ultimate failure. Real-time sensing and monitoring of concrete curing will lead to improved functionality, increased lifetime, and a reduction in the global use of this energy-intensive material. The project will result in prototypes of the HydroT sensor, initial development of Extended Maturity Methods using these sensors in concrete curing, and an improved understanding of the priority markets for the commercialization of this technology. The HydroT sensor has the following unique features: 1) unprecedented sensitivity for the measurement of water stress in the range that is relevant in concrete. This capability will allow for water status to be incorporated, for the first time, into methods of tracking and controlling concrete properties during construction. 2) Integration of water and temperature sensing using microfabrication techniques. This approach will allow for simple, low-cost scaled-up and production by leveraging the existing capabilities of microfabrication foundries. 3) Small format and simple integration with electronics and communication. These characteristics will make the barrier for adoption by industry low. Taken together, these features mean that the HydroT technology will provide the concrete industry an important new functionality (sensing of water status) in a device that can replace the temperature probes used in conventional Maturity Analysis with similar costs and technical complexity. To translate the HydroT Probe and Extended Maturity Analysis toward commercial application, the team will pursue advances in the understanding and technical approaches on both hardware and application fronts. These developments will involve fundamental advances in the ability to manipulate the properties of critical materials such as the porous membrane and deeper understanding of the coupling of moisture and temperature in defining maturation in important classes of concrete. Additionally, the team will pursue a deeper understanding of the market, competitors, and potential partners for manufacturing and distribution. Throughout, the team will aim to reinforce its intellectual property position and to build a core group of entrepreneurs and technical staff to carry the project into a successful start-up company. As part of the project, the personnel involved - undergraduates, graduates, and post-docs - will gain experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology translation through participation in the patent application process with Cornell's technology transfer office and activities such as Cornell's Pre-Seed Workshop and technology accelerator program, eLabs.