Wireless Networked, Time-of-Flight based Turbulence Sensors for Waterpower Applications, Topic C58-19a

Statement of the problem or situation that is being addressed The advanced management of waterpower facilities requires accurate experimental information about the dynamic pressure and turbulence flow status in the water. Such data is the key for the sites to detect any irregularities or fluctuations in turbulence levels. These turbulence sensors can help optimize the performance and efficiency of turbines by providing real-time data on water dynamics. They are also useful to establish situational awareness capabilities to ensure smooth operation and prevent damage, especially on autonomous underwater vehicle-based platforms. Statement of how this problem or situation is being addressed Semiconductor nanomembrane sensor skins are thin, mechanically and chemically robust materials that may be patterned in two dimensions to create multi-sensor element arrays that can be conformally attached onto material and model surfaces. The company has demonstrated the feasibility of nanomembrane transducer materials for the measurement of turbulence profile in high Reynolds-number environments. For real-time flow/turbulence measurements, the company propose a time-of-flight based method by using multiple pairs of serial-mounted high frequency nanomembrane sensing elements to pick up pressure waveforms from upstream and downstream locations. What is to be done in Phase I? This program will develop wireless networked nanomembrane based time-of-flight turbulence sensors for hydrodynamic characterizations at waterpower facilities. The team will transition the nanomembrane based travel-time sensors for turbulence flow measurements from their current concept to prototype stage products of use to the waterpower faciliities. The team will fabricate prototype-level time-of-flight sensors using optimized materials and matching existing platforms. Current electronics will be optimized to acquire, multiplex, store and process raw sensor array data. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits The commercialization potential of the time-of-flight turbulence sensor technology developed through this program lies in three areas, 1) individual sensors for the measurement of high frequency turbulence profile, 2) time-of-flight sensor pairs for the measurement of flow profile, and 3) the data processing and communication modules.