Environmentally Adaptive Radar

The determination of the environmental extremes that a sensitive piece of equipment has been exposeddo during shipping and storage is of critical importance. All electronic equipment and chemicalshave limitations as far as specific environmental conditions are concerned. If these specificconditions have been exceeded, serious operational problems can result. It is therefore crucialthat a sensor that can determine if environmental parameters have been exceeded operates reliablyover a long period.To date, most sensors operate with electrical power. This poses serious problems for sensors thatneed to operate over an extended period of time as batteries deplete and alternative energy sourcesare required. Mid¿ proposes a sensor array that is purely mechanical and will require no electricalpower. This array of sensors will utilize the unique qualities of intelligent materials,specifically smart gels and shape memory alloys to determine if the limitations set for thehumidity, temperature, shock, fuel, salt and water levels have been exceeded. This sensor will bebuilt on proven technology and will be extremely cost effective.The smart materials environmental monitor promises substantial returns from theability to monitor environmental conditions inside commercial shippingcontainers for sensitive items such as electronics. The monitor offers an inexpensiveand easy-to-use solution to check for and ameliorate environmental exceedances.