Self-Calibrating, Conformal Nanomembrane based Pressure Sensors for Embedded Sensing Applications

This DOD Phase II STTR program would develop self-calibrating, conformal nanomembrane based pressure sensors for embedded sensing applications, using silicon on insulator techniques in combination with our pioneering nanocomposite materials. Such low-modulus, conformal nanomembrane sensor skins with integrated self-calibration, interconnect elements and electronic devices can be applied to new or existing models for flow dynamics analysis, or to aerospace vehicles for real-time monitoring. During Phase I, NanoSonic has demonstrated the feasibility of self-calibrating nanomembrane transducer materials for the measurement of high frequency dynamic shear and normal pressure. Semiconductor nanomembrane sensor skins are thin, flexible, mechanically and chemically robust materials that may be patterned in two dimensions to create multi-sensor element arrays with NIST traceable calibration standards, and can be embedded into aerospace system structures. Sensors may be connected to external support instrumentation wirelessly using RF communication directly from electronic networks incorporated into the sensor skin material.