Integrated Metal RubberTM Sensors for Subsurface Monitoring

The advanced management of remediation requires accurate experimental information about the flow status and contaminants characterization in the subsurface. Such data is the key for the Integrated Field Research Challenge (IFRC) sites to establish models concerning water transport, chemical migration, mass transfer and microbiologic activity. NanoSonic proposes to use its advanced nanotechnology thin-film deposition process, Electrostatic Self- Assembly (ESA), to integrate a nanostructured sensor network into a material for in situ hydrogeologic monitoring. With recent development of Metal RubberTM, we now have the opportunity to implement such integrated monitoring devices. Metal RubberTM is a new free-standing multifunctional nanostructured material that has high electrical-conductivity and low weight, and it can be used as an in-situ sensor attachable for permanent installation or flowable inspection in a water field. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Our proposed sensor systems are thin and surface-mounted causing minimal interaction with the flow, are potentially easy to apply as an appliqu, and require no cavities or recesses in the test articles other than holes to connect the sensor array leads to data acquisition wiring. The proposed Metal RubberTM multiphase analysis tool would be a viable commercial product for NanoSonic.