Grant: Strategic Projects - Group
University of British Columbia
$147,500.00
Inkjet fabrication processes for large area nanostructured strain sensors
FY 2009-10
Summary
This project targets the development of a near-net-shape fabrication process based on inkjet micropatterning of nanostructured composites. It addresses Canada's need for alternative low-cost competitive and green manufacturing methods. The technology will enable the inexpensive manufacturing of high performance sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges, concrete structures, pipelines or other critical infrastructure. The current lack of affordable SHM of critical infrastructure has been linked to a loss in GDP of 1%. Inkjet micropatterning enables the fabrication of microdevices by drop-on-demand deposition of a wide variety of materials (polymers, solvents, functional composites containing nanowires and nanotubes, etc.) in the form of "inks" for non-contact patterning onto rigid, flexible, rough, smooth, and 3-D substrates and is capable of producing very large area devices at low-cost. The process is accurate, relatively high resolution (10-100µm), and high speed. It is also an example of green manufacturing since the process consumes very little material and produces little waste. New processes will be developed, where inkjet micropatterning is used in conjunction with an innovative hydrodynamic technique for controlled alignment of printed nanotubes and nanowires. Their alignment maximizes the intrinsic giant piezoresistive effect in carbon nanotubes and the giant piezoelectric effect in semiconductor nanowires. This technique will enable the manufacturing of novel strain sensing devices with sensitivities two orders of magnitude greater than conventional strain gauges. In addition, the higher zero-stress resistance of the printed structures results in lower power consumption and less influence from the resistance in the lead wires. The mechanical and chemical stability of carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanowires will improve the long-term stability of the devices. In addition to SHM, the underlying fabrication technology will serve as a platform for exploring many other sensing applications.
Program
Strategic Projects - Group
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
381041-2009
Name nom
Walus, Konrad
Department département
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Organization id
2
Institution établissement
University of British Columbia
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2009
Competition year année de concours
2009
Award amount
147500
Program id
STPGP
Program nane en
Strategic Projects - Group
Program name fr
Projets stratégiques - De groupe
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1043
Committee name en
Strategic Projects Selection Panel - Manufacturing
Committee name fr
Comité de sélection des projets stratégiques - Fabrication
Area of application code
500
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Research subject code
1604
Research subject group en
Industrial engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie industriel
Research subject en
Manufacturing
Research subject fr
Fabrication
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Inkjet fabrication processes for large area nanostructured strain sensors
Keyword
NA
Application summary
This project targets the development of a near-net-shape fabrication process based on inkjet micropatterning of nanostructured composites. It addresses Canada's need for alternative low-cost competitive and green manufacturing methods. The technology will enable the inexpensive manufacturing of high performance sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges, concrete structures, pipelines or other critical infrastructure. The current lack of affordable SHM of critical infrastructure has been linked to a loss in GDP of 1%. Inkjet micropatterning enables the fabrication of microdevices by drop-on-demand deposition of a wide variety of materials (polymers, solvents, functional composites containing nanowires and nanotubes, etc.) in the form of "inks" for non-contact patterning onto rigid, flexible, rough, smooth, and 3-D substrates and is capable of producing very large area devices at low-cost. The process is accurate, relatively high resolution (10-100µm), and high speed. It is also an example of green manufacturing since the process consumes very little material and produces little waste. New processes will be developed, where inkjet micropatterning is used in conjunction with an innovative hydrodynamic technique for controlled alignment of printed nanotubes and nanowires. Their alignment maximizes the intrinsic giant piezoresistive effect in carbon nanotubes and the giant piezoelectric effect in semiconductor nanowires. This technique will enable the manufacturing of novel strain sensing devices with sensitivities two orders of magnitude greater than conventional strain gauges. In addition, the higher zero-stress resistance of the printed structures results in lower power consumption and less influence from the resistance in the lead wires. The mechanical and chemical stability of carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanowires will improve the long-term stability of the devices. In addition to SHM, the underlying fabrication technology will serve as a platform for exploring many other sensing applications.
