Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We request a top-of-the-line Environmental Test Chamber that is capable of producing a variety of controlled temperature and humidity conditions to support research projects in gas, wearable and ice/frost sensors, and energy conversion and storage technologies. The design and functionality of the chamber have been selected to meet all of our environmental testing requirements including simulated environmental tests under standardized and controlled conditions such as extremely hot, cold, or humid. These tests will help us evaluate and predict the performance of sensors, solar cells, and batteries under various environmental stresses so that they can be adapted for applications in real-life conditions. The proposed chamber can reach temperatures as low as -70C to simulate Arctic or harsh winter conditions for the test of gas sensors, ice/frost sensors, and lithium-ion batteries. It can generate temperatures as high as +185C to thermally shock wearable electronics and solar cells to understand their degradation mechanisms and find solutions to extend their lifetime. The system further allows for humidity control from 10% to 98% to test the effect of damp-heat conditions on the operational performance of solar cells and sensors. The chamber contains a large internal workspace to facilitate the use of custom test fixtures that can be automated to collect a range of optical and electrical measurements. All applicants will be able to make full use of the chamber due to its built-in smart system that permits 24/7 remote access and control over the equipment via a computer or mobile device. Large datasets from long-term experiments will be collected and analyzed to improve the performance and durability of in-house built technologies. The environmental chamber will be instrumental in developing highly sensitive sensors, robust wearable electronics, highly efficient solar cells, and durable batteries. In addition, access to the chamber will provide our trainees with marketable technical and analytical skills in advanced planning and experimental design, programming, durability assessment, product life cycle testing, and big data analysis. Since the chamber will be located in a new manufacturing precinct, trainees will be part of a diverse and multidisciplinary user-group, supported by industry partners in mining, aviation, automotive, utilities, robotics, automation, materials manufacturing, and renewable energy. Based on our strong track record of commercialization, we are convinced that these industrial collaborations will lead to innovations in sensing and energy storage/conversion technologies, consumer products, and spin-off companies in the long term. The availability of a high-performance, large-capacity environmental chamber will, therefore, not only benefit academic research but also create jobs and innovations in the Canadian technology sector, promoting robust and durable next-generation sensing and energy storage and conversion technologies.