Grant: Department of National Defence / NSERC Research Partnership
Simon Fraser University
$196,000.00
Micromachined Acoustic Particle Acceleration Sensors
FY 2014-15
Summary
We are proposing a collaborative research project with our industrial partner, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems Inc. (UEMS) and the Department of National Defence (DND). UEMS is a leading developer of Towed Array sonar systems to detect and localize underwater targets. A Towed Array is made of hundreds of sensor nodes and typically is several hundred meters long. Each sensor node is made of four acoustic pressure sensors, setting the diameter of the Towed Array to about 10cm. Through this project, we will employ microfabrication techniques to design and fabricate particle acceleration sensors with the same level of sensitivity and dynamic range as the current sensors while reducing the diameter of the array to about 2cm. This results in significant reductions in the weight and volume of the array, and eventually, the overall system cost. UEMS is in a position financially and technically to capitalize on the results of this research to significantly enhance their current product line and deepen their niche in the market. The initial feasibility research on this work was conducted through an NSERC Engage project. Through this project, we will develop acoustic particle acceleration sensors based on ultrasensitive micromachined accelerometers with a wide bandwidth and high dynamic range. Three prototypes will be designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered to UEMS over the course of this project.Simon Fraser University is ideally suited to conduct this research due to existence of team expertise and two fully operational cleanrooms. All of the devised designs, prototypes, and future products based on them will be entirely fabricated and assembled in Canada. While this is logistically important to UEMS, it further provides job opportunities and wealth in Canada. Fourteen highly qualified personnel at various levels will be trained on different aspects of this technology. The training environment created through this proposal will be crucial for the future commercialization of the devices.This project falls under the priority research area of Undersea Systems for DND/NSERC Research Grants.
Program
Department of National Defence / NSERC Research Partnership
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
451422-2013
Name nom
Bahreyni, Behraad
Department département
Mechatronic Systems Engineering
Organization id
5
Institution établissement
Simon Fraser University
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2013
Award amount
196000
Program id
DNDPJ
Program name en
Department of National Defence / NSERC Research Partnership
Program name fr
Partenariat de recherche du ministère de la Défense nationale et du CRSNG
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
802
Area of application group en
Information and communication services
Area of application group fr
Services d'information et de télécommunications
Area of application en
Information systems and technology
Area of application fr
Systèmes d'information et technologie de l'information
Research subject code
2518
Research subject group en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Research subject en
Instrumentation and measurements
Research subject fr
Instrumentation et mesures
Partie
2
Nb partie
3
Application title
Micromachined Acoustic Particle Acceleration Sensors
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
We are proposing a collaborative research project with our industrial partner, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems Inc. (UEMS) and the Department of National Defence (DND). UEMS is a leading developer of Towed Array sonar systems to detect and localize underwater targets. A Towed Array is made of hundreds of sensor nodes and typically is several hundred meters long. Each sensor node is made of four acoustic pressure sensors, setting the diameter of the Towed Array to about 10cm. Through this project, we will employ microfabrication techniques to design and fabricate particle acceleration sensors with the same level of sensitivity and dynamic range as the current sensors while reducing the diameter of the array to about 2cm. This results in significant reductions in the weight and volume of the array, and eventually, the overall system cost. UEMS is in a position financially and technically to capitalize on the results of this research to significantly enhance their current product line and deepen their niche in the market. The initial feasibility research on this work was conducted through an NSERC Engage project. Through this project, we will develop acoustic particle acceleration sensors based on ultrasensitive micromachined accelerometers with a wide bandwidth and high dynamic range. Three prototypes will be designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered to UEMS over the course of this project.Simon Fraser University is ideally suited to conduct this research due to existence of team expertise and two fully operational cleanrooms. All of the devised designs, prototypes, and future products based on them will be entirely fabricated and assembled in Canada. While this is logistically important to UEMS, it further provides job opportunities and wealth in Canada. Fourteen highly qualified personnel at various levels will be trained on different aspects of this technology. The training environment created through this proposal will be crucial for the future commercialization of the devices.This project falls under the priority research area of Undersea Systems for DND/NSERC Research Grants.
