Thermochromic Temperature and Humidity Sensor for Cumulative Monitoring of Ordnance Health

Fractal Systems Inc. proposes to develop a thin and flexible peel-and-stick sensor/indicator that will accurately and cumulatively monitor thermal energy and humidity levels that nitrocellulose (NC)-based ordnance is being exposed to during storage and deployment without the need of a power source. The thin sensing layer will consist of a composite made of (i) an intrinsically conducting polymer that is known for its high sensitivity to humidity and temperature and is thermochromic, and (ii) NC that is known to change color upon degradation when exposed to humidity and heat. In Phase I, we will synthesize and characterize the different materials, process their dispersions/solutions onto interdigitated electrodes and characterize the sensor element by monitoring the change of resistivity as a function of temperature and humidity in a humidity chamber towards establishing 3-D calibration plots for the different sensing layers. This effort will be carried out in collaboration with a consultant who is familiar with the issues involved in monitoring ordnance health and with a major sensor company who will help us take the technology during the Phase II program through optimization of materials, processes and device to the next step for commercialization in Phase III.