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

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是为许多市场和行业提供一种采用弹性纤维测速(EFV)技术实现的新颖、独特的流量传感器，这些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，实施这种廉价传感器网络可以在暖通空调管道中提供卓越的流量监控，显著降低控制器成本，并允许改进系统控制，为人们提供更好的舒适性，同时提高系统整体效率。通过在家用电器和消防喷水灭火系统中嵌入EFV传感器，可以实现及早发现漏水，节省宝贵的清洁水资源，并减少对建筑物管理和业主的潜在水损害。在医疗注射(如静脉注射)中使用EFV技术将填补精确实时监测的空白，同时减少注射错误，增加患者安全性，节省医疗成本，并改善患者舒适度。I-Corps项目旨在发现弹性纤维测速仪的商业可行性，这是一种基于纳米级、基于MEMS、基于应变的技术，用于测量流速/流率。数学模型表明，当尺寸减小时，大长宽比、导电的独立式结构对极小的流体作用力很敏感。利用半导体制造技术制作了微型金属带材，并对其进行了流体力学性能测试，结果与理论预测相符。这使得使用基于应变的设备进行流量传感和测量的新概念成为可能。这个i-Corps项目使人们有机会在现实世界中探索、学习和参与创业发现活动。结合该计划使用的渐进式学习技术，可以更快地吸取教训，激励企业家精神和促进参与。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.