Ultra miniaturised, low-power, high precision, robust CT-DO sensor system exploitation
Lead Research Organisation:
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
Department Name: Science and Technology
Abstract
This project will aid the commercialisation of recent inventions of oceanographic / environmental sensor technology developed in collaboration by the National Oceanography Centre Southampton and the University of Southampton. They have developed novel miniaturised high performance sensors that measure the conductivity, temperature and oxygen content of water. The measurement of these parameters is essential in a wide range of environmental studies in both fresh and salt (sea) water. The small size and high performance of these new sensors suggests that they could be developed into a product with potential benefits to both science and industry. Prior to this project the inventors have commissioned a market survey and this has highlighted sizeable markets in a number of sectors. Crucially the potential customers include non scientists in sectors where potential sales volumes are large. This project seeks to investigate these commercial opportunities further and complete adaptation and testing of the technology to allow it to be demonstrated to key user groups and companies. The project will also explore business models, partnerships, patenting, and routes to manufacture.
Publications
Huang X
(2011)
A Miniature, High Precision Conductivity and Temperature Sensor System for Ocean Monitoring
in IEEE Sensors Journal
McQuillan JS
(2017)
The anti-bacterial effect of an electrochemical anti-fouling method intended for the protection of miniaturised oceanographic sensors.
in Journal of microbiological methods
Description | That low-cost CTDO sensors have a market, can be realised, but are complicated by long term materials effects such as water uptake. These have been remedied in subsequent research |
Exploitation Route | The key engineering problem with the CTDO sensor was identified and hence this output directed further R&D |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Electronics Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | We discovered a water uptake issue with one of the sensor materials that fed into subsequent design revisions, a new patent and a product that is on the verge of licensing in a global market. |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Title | APPARATUS FOR SENSING AT LEAST ONE PARAMETER IN WATER |
Description | Apparatus (2) for sensing at least one parameter in water, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a dissolved oxygen sensor (4) for sensing dissolved oxygen in the water; and which apparatus (2) is such that: (ii) the dissolved oxygen sensor (4) has a working electrode and a reference electrode; and (iii) a voltage signal is applied between the working electrode and the reference electrode, and the voltage signal provides a conditioning waveform, then a wait time, and then a measurement function. |
IP Reference | WO2014044998 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Licence in negotiation, costs paid by potential licensee |
Title | APPARATUS FOR SENSING AT LEAST ONE PARAMETER IN WATER |
Description | Apparatus (2) for sensing at least one parameter in water, which apparatus comprises: (i) a conductivity sensor (6) for sensing conductivity in the water; (ii) a dissolved oxygen sensor (4) for sensing dissolved oxygen in the water; (iii) a glass substrate (14); and (iv) the conductivity sensor (6) and the dissolved oxygen sensor (4) are fabricated on the glass substrate (14) using photolithography and etching. |
IP Reference | WO2014044999 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | license in negotiation with potential licensee paying patent costs |
Title | APPARATUS WITH A SELF-CLEANING ELECTRODE FOR SENSING AT LEAST ONE PARAMETER IN WATER |
Description | Apparatus (2) for sensing at least one parameter in water, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) at least one electrode based sensor (4, 6) for sensing at least one parameter in water; and which apparatus (2) is such that: (ii) the electrode based sensor (4, 6) has a self-cleaning electrode; (iii) the electrode based sensor (4, 6) has a reference electrode; (iv) the self-cleaning electrode is stable in water; (v) the apparatus (2) is configured to operate by liberating chlorine from the water using a first waveform applied to the self- cleaning electrode; (VI) the apparatus (2) is configured to operate by liberating chlorine and oxygen from the water using a second waveform applied to the self-cleaning electrode; and (VII) the apparatus (2) is configured to preserve the condition of the reference electrode by periodically regenerating the reference electrode. |
IP Reference | WO2014045001 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Licensing in negotiation |
Title | APPARATUS WITH A SELF-CLEANING ELECTRODE FOR SENSING AT LEAST ONE PARAMETER IN WATER |
Description | Apparatus (2) for sensing at least one parameter in water, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) at least one electrode based sensor (4, 6) for sensing at least one parameter in water; and which apparatus (2) is such that: (ii) the electrode based sensor (4, 6) has a self-cleaning electrode; (iii) the electrode based sensor (4, 6) has a reference electrode; (iv) the self-cleaning electrode is stable in water; (v) the apparatus (2) is configured to operate by liberating chlorine from the water using a first waveform applied to the self- cleaning electrode; (VI) the apparatus (2) is configured to operate by liberating chlorine and oxygen from the water using a second waveform applied to the self-cleaning electrode; and (VII) the apparatus (2) is configured to preserve the condition of the reference electrode by periodically regenerating the reference electrode. |
IP Reference | WO2014045001 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | license in negotiation with two companies |
Title | Apparatus for sensing e.g. parameter in sea water for industrial and environmental applications, has conductivity sensor comprising electrodes for current stimulation geometrically bounding and enclosing electrodes for voltage sensing |
Description | The design of a planar conductivity cell with geometry that constrains the field limiting the error caused by either conductors or insulators placed in proximity to the sensor. I.e. only the water conductivity is measured. |
IP Reference | WO2014044997-A1 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | This IP is currently the subject of negotiations for a license to one UK and one non UK company |