RUI: Fundamental Investigation on Flexible High Temperature Devices

该项目解决了在高温下对灵活的无线气体传感设备的需求，用于各种应用，包括急救人员的使用。监测第一响应者周围的环境条件，并将信息迅速转发给现场指挥官和事件指挥部，对于评估第一响应者的健康和表现的真实情况意识至关重要。具体地，在森林火灾和恐怖袭击期间，通常期望环境监测系统向事件管理者提供关于第一响应者所承受的气相暴露的实时数据，使得他们能够在时间紧迫的情况下做出可能的最佳决策。基于氧化钇稳定氧化锆的可承受高温的柔性陶瓷的可用性为实现新器件开辟了可能性。研究人员与当地行业合作，对柔性基板进行电气表征，以实现高温气体传感器和天线等功能设备。通过利用集成设备，消防员将能够更好地面对世界上一些最致命的情况，帮助保护平民和消防员自己的生命和财产。研究结果将直接影响在森林火灾、恐怖袭击、地震等极端环境和情况下工作的急救人员。该项目为本科工程专业学生提供广泛的研究经验，以便他们为未来应对复杂挑战的劳动力做好准备。该项目旨在解决科学，技术，工程和数学界最大的教育挑战之一：让学生参与科学和工程。参与该项目的行业和学术研究人员正在设计关于无线系统的创意和交互式实验室模块，以吸引代表性不足的高中生。该大学-工业项目正在探索在新的柔性基板上构建紧凑集成的高温无线传感器系统的可行性，其双重目的是提供全面的本科生研究经验和培训。研究人员正在进行基础电气研究，以表征高温气体传感和通信应用的柔性基板。通过实施高温天线来评估衬底作为集成器件平台的适用性。随后，将天线与高温气体传感器和高温压控振荡器集成。 天线性能评估正在通过进行高温测试、热冲击测试、弯曲程序和微观结构检查进行评估。通过在工业环境中的各种温度下在消声室中测试回波损耗、辐射方向图、增益和效率来评估该设备的现场就绪性。正在一个灵活的平台上安装高温气体传感器，以监测可能由森林火灾产生的有毒气体。该奖项反映了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。

This project addresses the need for a flexible wireless gas sensing device at high temperature for wide variety of applications including the use by first responders. Monitoring environmental conditions surrounding a first responder and relaying the information to the on-scene commander and incident command quickly is essential to assess true situational awareness of the health and performance of the first responder. Specifically, during forest fires and terrorist attacks, the environmental monitoring system is typically expected to provide real-time data on gas phase exposure endured by the first responders to the incident managers enabling them to make the best decisions possible in situations where time is critical. The availability of a flexible ceramic based on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia that can withstand high temperature have opened up possibilities to realize new devices. In partnership with the local industry, the investigators are pursuing electrical characterization of the flexible substrate to implement functional devices such as high temperature gas sensor and antenna. By leveraging the integrated device, firefighters will be better-equipped to face some of the world’s deadliest situations, helping preserve life and property for civilians and the firefighters themselves. The research results will directly impact first responders operating under extreme environments and circumstances such as forest fires, terrorist attack, earthquake, etc. The project is offering extensive research experience for undergraduate engineering students in order to prepare them for future workforce tackling complex challenges. The project is intending to address one of the biggest educational challenges in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics community: keeping students engaged in science and engineering. The industry and academic investigators involved in this project are designing creative and interactive lab modules on wireless systems to engage under-represented high school students. The university-industry project is exploring the feasibility of a compact and integrated high temperature wireless sensor system on a new and ultrathin flexible substrate with a dual intent of providing comprehensive undergraduate research experience and training. The investigators are pursuing fundamental electrical investigations to characterize the flexible substrate for high temperature gas sensing and communication applications. The suitability of the substrate as an integrated device platform is being assessed by implementing a high temperature antenna. Subsequently, the antenna integration with a high temperature gas sensor and a high temperature voltage-controlled oscillator is being implemented. Antenna performance evaluation is being assessed by performing high-temperature tests, thermal shock tests, bending routines, and microstructural examinations. Field readiness of the device is being evaluated by testing return loss, radiation pattern, gain, and efficiency in anechoic chamber at various temperatures in an industry setting. High temperature gas sensor to monitor toxic gases that might arise from forest fires is being implemented on a flexible platform. Long-term testing and independent validation of the antenna and gas sensor performance are being carried out.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.