Thermoelectric Ionic Detector

Current thermal detectors (TDs) based on solid-state technology are costly and brittle, and require extraordinary materials and processes to manufacture. To overcome these problems and to address the Air Force need for a low-cost, bio-inspired thermal detector, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Thermoelectric Ionic Detector (TEID). This proposed device is based on the heat-sensitive ion conductivity of polymer-electrolyte composites. The TEID flexible polymer structure can be fabricated without vacuum, ionic implantation, or photolithography, in contrast to current solid-state devices. The combination of POC's proprietary thermal embossing to produce the microprofiled polymer film encapsulated electrolyte will make TEID manufacturing inexpensive. The absorbing layer can be deposited by silk screening, followed by galvanic fabrication of electrodes. The TEID will be a low-cost and lightweight flexible thermal detector with potentially high sensitivity. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the TEID approach by fabricating and testing a preliminary prototype. In Phase II POC will develop a preproduction prototype to demonstrate TEID performance with high sensitivity, environmental stability, and excellent power budget.