Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A15-017

Description

To address the Armys need for high-temperature sensors for advanced turbine engine materials, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Integrated Fiber Optic Sensor (IFOS) system. This proposed solution is based on a new design of microsensors fabricated of high-temperature-resistant ceramics supplemented by POCs proprietary wireless technology. Specifically, the innovation in use of p-SiAlCN ceramics for sensor fabrication, design of multilayered and arrayed microsensor structures, and use of POCs proprietary wireless technology, will enable the IFOS to survive high-temperature environments, to produce reliable measurements, and to realize secure and reliable wireless data transmission. As a result, this sensor system offers operating temperature exceeding the Army requirements of 2700 deg F for at least 3000 hot/3000 cold hr with measurement error within +/-1%. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of IFOS by fabricating a temperature sensor and testing it to show survival at 2400 deg F for 250 hot/250 cold hr with measurement error within +/-2% error for temperature measurement, to reach TRL-3. In Phase II, POC plans to develop three types of sensors (temperature, pressure, and strain), meeting all Army requirements including wireless data transmission. The Phase II IFOS will reach TRL-4 to -5.