SBIR Phase II: Integrated Electric and Magnetic Free-Space Sensor for Geosciences

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to integrate a new, free-space electric field (E) sensor with a recently introduced, miniaturized magnetic induction (B) sensor to form a compact six-channel sensor system. The proposed new E-field + B-field sensor should offer a completely new instrumentation capability for geosciences, providing for the first time measurement of all components of the electromagnetic (EM) field vector at low frequency in a single package without contact to the ground or any other physical object. The Phase II objectives are to develop a system prototype with sensitivity and bandwidth suitable for the majority of applications in geophysical surveying, lightning detection, electromagnetic sounding for detection of buried objects, and for general EM research. A side-by-side comparison with state-of-the-art conventional technology will be performed for magneto-tellurics and lightning detection in collaboration with academic and industry experts. This technology should help develop products for the stand-alone electric and magnetic sensors, as well as a new class of bio-electrode that shares the same basic technology as the E-field sensor. Applications for the bio-electrodes are for human physiologic monitoring such as the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the electroencephalogram (EEG