wEe-g: ComMERcialisation of a hiGh-sENsitivity and low-Cost gravimEter (EMERGENCE)

WEE-G是格拉斯哥大学研制的一种精密微型机电传感器(MEMS)加速度计。这是STFC资助的由教授领导的引力波研究活动的副产品。哈蒙德。WEE-G是世界上第一台MEMS重力仪，能够监测固体潮；由月球/太阳的潮汐势引起的地壳弹性变形。Wee-g还可以探测到低至2%的固体潮汐重力异常，这是由于地下隧道、火山岩浆侵入或当地地下水位深度的变化造成的。Wee-g还可以作为地震仪运行，信号读数高达5赫兹，允许测量自然发生的微震或人为(人为)地震噪声。目前在埃特纳山两侧安装了四台Wee-g仪器，监测火山的地震和重力活动，我们估计TRL为6(相关环境中的原型演示)。这个项目将使Wee-g对地震信号的敏感度提高10倍。这将在PPAN社区内带来新的机会，通过使用闭环磁反馈控制与Metatek/INGV进行的扩展现场试验，以及使用电流重力仪/地震仪进行基准测试，将设备的TRL提高到7。具体地说，我们将在LIGO-Hanford引力波观测站(美国)和STFC Boulby地下矿山(英国)部署Wee-g系统作为宽带地震仪/重力仪。在LHO，Wee-g将在安装的地震阵列中用于监测低频地震噪声，使我们能够更好地模拟牛顿噪声，这是当前/未来引力波探测器工作带宽的限制。在Boulby，Wee-g将作为独立的地震传感器安装，并着眼于部署多台Wee-g仪器，为地下矿山提供详细的地震和重力监测。Metatek/INGV的现场试验将部署Wee-g传感器和行业标准的地震仪/重力计作为基准。这将允许Wee-g仪器通过衍生机会进行商业化，目前正在格拉斯哥大学讨论；作为一种超宽带加速度计。Wee-g是一项成熟的技术，我们是MEMS仪器领域的领先者。该团队已经为剥离机会任命了一名首席执行官，指定的研究员(普拉萨德博士)之前曾成功地选择参加ICURE计划(由于家庭丧亲，无法在2022年担任这一职位)。因此，我们对该项目将实现其目标抱有很高的期望。该项目性价比极高，并获得了GB 209k标准的实物支持。

Wee-g is a precision MicroElectroMechanicalSensor (MEMS) accelerometer that has been developed at University of Glasgow. It is a spin-off from the STFC-funded gravitational-wave research activities led by Prof . Hammond. Wee-g is the world's first MEMS gravimeter, capable of monitoring Earth tides; elastic deformations of the Earth's crust caused by the tidal potential of the Moon/Sun. Wee-g also detects gravitational anomalies down to 2% of the Earth tides, due to e.g. buried tunnels, magma intrusion in volcanoes or variations in the local water table depth.Wee-g can also operate as a seismometer with signal readout up to 5Hz, allowing measurement of naturally occurring microseismic or anthropogenic (human-generated) seismic noise. There are currently four Wee-g instruments installed on the flanks of Mt Etna monitoring the seismic and gravity activity on the volcano, and we estimate the TRL is 6 (prototype demonstration in a relevant environment).This project will;make the Wee-g 10x more sensitive to seismic signals. This will enable new opportunities within the PPAN communityadvance the TRL of the device to 7 via extended field trials with Metatek/INGV using closed-loop magnetic feedback control, and benchmarking with current gravimeters / seismometers.Specifically, we will deploy Wee-g systems at the LIGO-Hanford gravitational-wave observatory (LHO, US) and the STFC Boulby underground mine (UK) as a broad-band seismometer/gravimeter. At LHO, Wee-g will be used in the installed seismic array to monitor low-frequency seismic noise, enabling us to better model Newtonian Noise, a limit to the operating bandwidth of current/future gravitational-wave detectors. At Boulby, Wee-g will be installed as a standalone seismic sensor, with the longer-term vision to deploy multiple Wee-g instruments to provide detailed seismic and gravitational monitoring of the underground mine. Field trials with Metatek/INGV will deploy Wee-g sensorswith industry standard seismometers/gravimeters for benchmarking.This will allow the Wee-g instrument to progress towards commercialisation via a spinout opportunity, currently under discussion at University of Glasgow; as an ultra-broad band accelerometer.Wee-g is a maturing technology and we are leaders in the field of MEMS instrumentation. The team has a CEO designate in-place for the spinout opportunity and the named researcher (Dr. Prasad) has previously been successful in selection for the iCURE programme (unable to take up the position in 2022 due to a family bereavement). Thus, we have high expectation the project will succeed in its objectives.The project is excellent value for money, with in-kind support at the level of £209k.