PFI-TT: Developing a self-powered pipeline sensing and monitoring system

这一创新技术转化伙伴关系(PFI-TT)项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力包括通过提供自给式管道传感和监测系统来确保我国能源基础设施的安全、保障和效率。该项目将产生一种新的方法，提供可靠的电源，以实现对能源工厂压力蒸汽分配系统的持续监测，估计市场潜力约为24亿美元。这项技术在其他能源分配系统，如石油和天然气行业，具有很高的商业化潜力。该项目将通过包括新课程开发在内的多方面教育计划，为本科生和研究生提供创新和技术翻译方面的培训和指导。这一努力的教育贡献包括：(1)向学生提供如何将基础科学研究转化为技术和产品开发的第一手知识；(2)加强跨学科教育和研究计划；(3)通过私人投资机构与现有计划的持续合作，扩大未被充分代表的群体在创新教育中的参与和成功。拟议的项目是开发一种自供电的传感和监测系统，以实现对我国能源基础设施管道运行的连续监测。这些关键基础设施大多位于难以进入的地区。当使用电池供电的传感器或监测设备对管道进行连续监测时，这是一个巨大的挑战。为了解决这一问题，本项目提出了一种新型的共形热电发生器，用于收集管道中的余热，为传感器供电。该项目将在材料、器件和系统三个层面进行技术创新。1)在材料层面，纳米氧化物将取代有毒、昂贵、低温稳定的传统碲化物材料。2)在器件层面，将采用连续生产热电器件的方式，以降低器件制造和大规模封装的成本。3)在系统层面，热电增压和储能装置的新技术将被用于热电发电机与传感器和监测装置的集成。一个多学科的研究团队将与两个行业合作伙伴合作进行技术开发，以确保解决方案适用于行业特定的挑战。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 Partnerships for Innovation-Technology Translation (PFI-TT) project includes ensuring the safety, security and efficiency of our nation's energy infrastructure by providing self-powered pipeline sensing and monitoring systems. This project will produce a novel approach to provide a reliable power source to enable continuous monitoring of pressurized steam distribution system in energy plants, with an estimated market potential of ~ $2.4 Billion. The technology has a high potential for later commercialization in other energy distribution systems, such as the oil and gas industry. The project will provide training and mentoring on innovation and technology translation to undergraduate, graduate students through a multi-faceted educational plan, including new curriculum development. The educational contributions of this effort include (1) provide students first-hand knowledge of how to translate fundamental scientific research into technology and product development; (2) enhance interdisciplinary education and research programs; (3) broaden the participation and success of underrepresented groups in innovation education through the PIs' ongoing collaborations with existing programs. The proposed project is to develop a self-powered sensing and monitoring system to enable continuous monitoring of pipeline operation for our nation's energy infrastructures. Most of these critical infrastructures are located in the areas with difficult access. This presents a significant challenge when using battery powered sensors or monitoring devices for continuous monitoring of pipelines. To solve this problem, a novel conformal thermoelectric generator is proposed in this program to harvest wasted heat in the pipeline for sensor powering. Three technical innovations will be used in this project at materials, devices, and system levels. 1) At the materials level nanostructured oxides will be used to replace conventional telluride-based materials which are toxic, expensive, and low temperature stability. 2) At the device level, a continuous production of thermoelectric devices will be used to reduce the cost of device fabrication and packaging at large-scale. 3) At the system level, new technology for thermoelectric voltage booster and energy storage devices will be used for integration of thermoelectric generator with sensors and monitoring devices. A multi-disciplinary research team will work with two industry partners on technology development to ensure the solutions are practical to the challenges that industry specific.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.