SBIR Phase I: Novel On-Chip Viscosity Sensor for True Viscosity Measurement

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段研究项目将证明，可以制造创新的MEMS（微机电系统）传感器系统，以便在食品加工中必不可少的液体的不同剪切速率下实现片上平行测量真实粘度值。目前测量真实粘度的仪器速度慢，价格昂贵，而且不方便携带。因此，对于过程控制或质量控制应用，通常使用仅能测量表观粘度的便携式传感器。所提出的新型微尺度传感器系统将是便携式的，并将能够在不同剪切速率下同时测量真实粘度值，从而增加传感器的响应时间和成本效益。本研究将解决微米尺度传感器系统制造中的关键技术难题。在第一阶段，创新粘度传感器的概念验证将使用标准粘弹性液体进行演示。如果成功，提出的创新粘度传感器系统将允许快速测量真实粘度值，从而实现高效和准确的过程控制。粘度传感器系统将是下一代仪器提供更多的功能在一个紧凑的尺寸。这项研究工作也将增加对微米尺寸通道中粘弹性流动的科学理解，这可能会激发研究人员之间的额外努力和跨学科合作。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project will demonstrate that innovative MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensor systems can be fabricated to enable on-chip parallel measurements of true viscosity values at various shear rates for liquids essential in food processing. Current instruments that measure the true viscosity are slow, expensive and are not portable. Hence for process control or quality control applications, portable sensors that are only capable of apparent viscosity measurements are often used. The proposed novel micro-scale sensor system will be portable and will enable simultaneous true viscosity value measurements at various shear rates, thereby increasing sensor response time and cost-effectiveness. This research will address key technical challenges in fabrication of the micron length scale sensor system. In Phase I, proof-of-concept of the innovative viscosity sensor will be demonstrated using standard viscoelastic liquids. If successful the proposed innovative viscosity sensor system will allow rapid measurements of true viscosity values enabling efficient and accurate process control. The viscosity sensor system will be a next generation instrument offering more features in a compact size. This research effort will also increase scientific understanding of viscoelastic flows in micron-size channels that may inspire additional efforts and interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers.