I-Corps: Commercial Viability Discovery of the Elastic Filament Velocimeetry

该I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是提供一种采用弹性长丝测速（EFV）技术的新颖独特的流量传感器，许多市场和行业将受益于其超低成本，超低功耗和高精度流量测量。例如，实现这种廉价传感器的网络可以在HVAC管道中提供上级流量监测，显著降低控制器成本，并允许改进的系统控制，以向人们提供更好的舒适度，同时提高整体系统效率。通过将EFV传感器嵌入到消费电器和消防喷淋系统中，可以实现早期检测漏水，从而节省宝贵的清洁水资源，并减少对建筑管理和业主的潜在水损害。EFV技术在医用注射剂中的应用（如静脉注射）将填补精确实时监测的差距，同时减少注射错误，提高患者安全性，节省医疗成本，并提高患者舒适度。这个I-Corps项目旨在发现弹性细丝测速技术的商业可行性，这是一种纳米级的，基于MEMS的，基于应变的技术，用于流速/流量测量。数学模型表明，一个高纵横比，导电的独立式结构可以敏感的非常小的流体迫使其尺寸减小时。利用半导体制造技术，制作了一种微型金属带，并在流体流动中进行了测试，结果与理论预测相符。这实现了使用基于应变的设备的流量感测和测量的新概念。这个I-Corps项目允许有机会在现实世界中探索，学习和参与创业发现活动。该奖项体现了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is to provide a novel, unique flow sensor implemented with the Elastic Filament Velocimetry (EFV) technology, to a number of markets and industries that will benefit from its ultra-low cost, ultra-low power consumption, and high precision flow measurements. For example, implementing a network of such inexpensive sensors can provide superior flow monitoring in HVAC ducts, significantly reduces controller costs and allows for improved system control to deliver better comfort to people while increase overall system efficiency. With the EFV sensors embedded in consumer appliances and fire sprinkler systems, early detection of water leakage can be realized, saving valuable clean water resources and reduce potential water damages to building management and homeowners alike. Utilization of the EFV technology in medical injections (such as intravenous injections) will fill the gap for precision real-time monitoring, and at the same time, reduce injection errors, increase patient safety, saving healthcare cost, and improve patient comfort.This I-Corps project aims to discover the commercial viability of the Elastic Filament Velocimetry, a nanoscale, MEMS based, strain based technology, for flow velocity / flow rate measurements. Mathematical models suggested that a high aspect-ratio, electrically conductive freestanding structure can be sensitive to extremely small fluid forcing when its size is reduced. Utilizing semiconductor manufacturing techniques, a miniature metallic ribbon was fabricated and tested in fluid flow, and the result matches theoretical prediction. This enables a new concept of flow sensing and measurement using a strain based device. This I-Corps project allows the opportunity to explore, learn, and engage in entrepreneurship discovery activities in a real-world setting. Incorporating the progressive learning techniques used by the program, lessons can be learned at a much faster pace, inspiring entrepreneurship and promoting engagement.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.