Miniaturized Low Frequency Electric Field Sensing for Underwater Applications

This proposed project is to reduce key risks to transition a technology from Universities to a sensor useable by the U.S. Navy, specifically a small, directional, E-field sensor that can operate from DC–500 Hz with a power consumption < 0.5 W. An important innovation is to extend the operation from DC to AC. The sensor will use correlated perovskites as the sensing material. The work will demonstrate that the upper frequency of operation is above 500 Hz, or if not, the design will use our pre-existing sensors that achieve 10 nV/m/rtHz at 1 Hz on a baseline of 10 cm. We will also measure the directionality of the sensor with the goal of 1° in mind. In the Base period of Phase I we will also measure the accuracy over a two-week period and test at the environmental extremes for Navy operation, specifically in E-fields of 1 µV/m – 10 V/m (140 dB dynamic range) and at salt concentrations equivalent to conductivities of 0.1–10 S/m. These tests will be at room temperature, but we will also evaluate the performance at 0 and 50°C. The Option phase will test bio-fouling, additional temperature ranges, and operation in the presence of suspended solids.