Development of Vapochromic Coordination Polymer Materials as Sensors for Electrical Transformer Diagnostics

加拿大社会高度依赖于电网的稳定性。变压器是电力系统的重要组成部分，本战略项目的研究旨在提高变压器的效率、稳定性和使用寿命。这可以通过保持一致的变压器运行来大大提高整体电网的稳定性，以避免灾难性的电力故障并最大限度地降低公用事业公司的成本。Powertech Labs （BC Hydro子公司）一直是变压器诊断、状态评估和延长寿命技术研究的领导者。特别是，变压器绕组处绝缘纸的退化是电力变压器技术寿命终结的关键决定因素。这种降解产生特定的标记化合物，可用于诊断变压器的状态。理想情况下，这些标记应该在线检测，在变压器运行期间。然而，这目前是不可能的，因为没有合适的传感器材料可以检测标记化合物。

Canadian Society is highly dependent on the stability of the electrical power grid. Transformers are a critical component of the power system and the research in this Strategic Project grant aims to increase their efficiency, stability and lifetime. This can greatly increase overall power grid stability by maintaining consistent transformer operation, with the goals of avoiding catastrophic power failures and minimizing costs to the utility company. Powertech Labs (a BC Hydro subsidiary) has been a leader in researching techniques for transformer diagnostics, condition assessment and life extension. In particular, the degradation of the insulating paper at the windings of the electrical transformers is a key determinant of the technical end of life of a power transformer. This degradation generates specific marker compounds that can be used to diagnose the transformer's status. Ideally, these markers should be detected online, in the transformer during operation. However, this is currently not possible because there are no appropriate sensor materials that can detect the marker compounds. Thus, the target of this Strategic Project grant is to fill this critical need by developing a series of luminescent sensory materials that will respond to the presence of insulation degradation marker compounds in electrical transformers, based on vapoluminescent cyanoaurate coordination polymer materials recently discovered in the Leznoff group (which e.g. are sensitive to 1 ppb of ammonia) and patented by SFU. The synthesis of new [Au(CN)2]-based polymer materials, their analytical testing in air and immersed in transformer oil for sensitivity, response speed, marker compound concentration changes, and processing method will all be completed. The overall goal is to develop an in-line electrical transformer performance and maintenance monitoring system incorporating these new materials, which will represent a new, innovative manufacturing product for Powertech Labs, and the resulting improved electrical power grid will benefit all Canadians.