MEMS Integration for a Range of Tire Pressure Devices

This project develops an innovative miniature tire pressure monitoring device based upon Microelectromechanical systems(MEMS) technology. The device achieves a high level of integration between microelectronics and MEMS technologies. The device and integration techniques developed in this project apply to other pressure measuring applications as well. The phase I work will define the ranges of applications for each device type from a family of devices of the same basic design. It will construct evaluation prototypes of proof-of-concept design for the device. The project's results will be obtained from representative tests on the assembled prototypes. Subsequent phases will complete the design, build pre-production units to evaluate the manufacturability, and test. Limited pre-production quantities will be produced of demonstrations to potential full production partners (who may be users and/or producers). Anticipated Military Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or Development: The post SBIR potential is tremendous. The tire pressure measurement problem has had many trial solutions which have not succeeded. However, because of a different approach, the potential for this innovation will be many million untis (probably 100's of million units) per year.