Ultra-Low Power and Ultra-Sensitive Spintronic Nanowire Strain Sensor

超低功耗、超灵敏自旋电子纳米线应变传感器

• 批准号: 1301013
• 负责人: Jayasimha Atulasimha
• 金额: $ 33万
• 依托单位: Virginia Commonwealth University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-07-01 至 2017-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1301013&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Ultra; Low; Power; Sensitive; Spintronic

The research objective of this proposal is to investigate an ultra-low power, miniaturized, spintronic nanowire strain sensing device with an ultra-high sensitivity. This concept leverages two different physical phenomena: (i) stress induced magnetization rotation in nanoscale magnetostrictive materials; and (ii) change in the magneto-resistance of a "spin-valve" heterostructure nanowire consisting of magnetically-hard/spacer/magnetically-soft layers, which is induced by a rotation of the magnetization orientation of the soft layer.If successful, this could lead to a miniature strain sensor with an active area of 0.1mm x 0.1mm and with a sensitivity exceeding state-of-the-art, while consuming 2-3 orders of magnitude less power. Such a device could strongly impact several areas such as structural health monitoring, pressure, flow, acoustic and seismic sensing. This project will provide a strong multidisciplinary experience and mentorship for PhD students and will be leveraged to enhance innovative workshops on sensing and energy harvesting for high school students through the Math-Science Innovation Center. Under-represented K-12 students will be hosted for a month in summer under VCU's Richmond Area Program for Minorities in Engineering (RAPME) program and trained in nanofabrication under this project.

本提案的研究目标是研究一种具有超高灵敏度的超低功耗、小型化、自旋电子纳米线应变传感装置。这个概念利用了两种不同的物理现象：（i）纳米级磁致伸缩材料中应力引起的磁化旋转； (ii) 由硬磁层/间隔层/软磁层组成的“自旋阀”异质结构纳米线的磁阻变化，这是由软层磁化方向的旋转引起的。如果成功，这可能会导致微型应变传感器的有效面积为 0.1mm x 0.1mm，灵敏度超过最先进的技术，同时功耗降低 2-3 个数量级。这种设备可能会对结构健康监测、压力、流量、声学和地震传感等多个领域产生强烈影响。该项目将为博士生提供强大的多学科经验和指导，并将通过数学科学创新中心加强为高中生举办的传感和能量收集创新研讨会。代表性不足的 K-12 学生将在夏季接受为期一个月的 VCU 里士满地区工程少数民族计划 (RAPME) 项目的资助，并在该项目下接受纳米制造方面的培训。