Active Sensor Structures for Extreme Environments

Gas sensors that can operate under extreme conditions are an essential underpinning technology in the battle against climate change, the future deployment of nuclear technology and a whole raft of scientific applications. This project will develop the technology required to realise these sensors and demonstrate their applicability in representative hostile environments. The deliverables will directly benefit UK society by allowing the cost-effective measurement of gas concentrations in locations which are inaccessible using current technology; such as nuclear installations, extra terrestrial planets, active volcanoes and exhaust gases in automotive or aerospace applications. By developing devices fabricated using silicon carbide technology, we intend to demonstrate gas sensing arrays, which will offer the ability to discriminate between the components of a mixture of gases and can operate under extreme conditions (for example in temperatures beyond 600C and high radiation flux). These sensor arrays will also be combined with monolithically fabricated amplifier structures to increase the signal to noise ratio and hence allow the detection of lower concentrations. Such technology will allow closed loop control for the first time of many industrial and utility technologies - increasing efficiency and safety.

The benefits will be primarily aimed at three groups, the academic community, UK companies and the personnel directly involved in the project

The academic community will gain access to a novel sensing technology, which will open up new lines of scientific investigation, from the monitoring of volcanic eruptions to the search for life on other planets. There has been significant interest from the scientific community following our recent exposure in New Scientist and the national press.

UK companies spanning the supply chain for high performance specialised sensors will gain competitive advantage. The primary benefits will be demonstrating new sensor materials, integration with electronics and reduction of risk for development and manufacture of products using this technology. For example, Raytheon gain a better understanding of sensor process parameters and functional properties of active gas-sensing films. The knowledge gained will accelerate their progress in producing high quality films for many applications and they will be able to offer high value sensor materials to customers. BAE Systems see SiC based sensors on their roadmap and will showcase this new application. Both will benefit from the collaboration, especially characterisation and device data reassuring customers. BAE Systems will be positioned to exploit new market opportunities through the development of technologies encompassing these new devices. Important national customers such as the MOD are fully aware of the potential benefits of such technologies to facilitate new functionality and value for money in future developments of important military platforms, such as nuclear submarines.

The RA's and PG student benefit from working in a key technical area. They have the opportunity to develop excellent analytical, research and communications skills. Such people from our group have previously gone on to work as permanent academic staff, in industry, in finance and in government research labs. The project will offer other RA's and PG students an opportunity to benefit from working on closely related topics in the area of high temperature sensors and it is anticipated that this will boost the activity to the benefit of all.