Novel Matrix Addressable Sonar Transducer

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I will fabricate a new transducer element, which is matrix addressable, conformable and low cost. It is based on the use of a composite magnetoelectric film fabricated as a hollow cylinder. This cylinder contains both the sensing elements and the matrix-forming element. This approach builds on previous work on a composite laminar maggetoelectric material that measures applied stress and will result in a new and unique sonar transducer. During this Phase I program, the composite material will be fabricatedin the form of a hollow cylinder that contains a layer of a magnetostrictive film and a layer of piezoelectric film with a conductive coating. An individual transducer element is defined by an intersection with a second conductor. The low cost and small size will allow fabrication of a large dense array of such transducers.