Air Option 1: Technology Translation - Functionalized III-V Nitride based Microelectromechanical Sensors for Neutron Detection

Air 选项 1：技术转化 - 用于中子检测的功能化 III-V 氮化物基微机电传感器

• 批准号: 1512342
• 负责人: Goutam Koley
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Clemson University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-08-16 至 2017-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1512342&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Air; Option; Technology; Translation; Functionalized

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating III-V Nitride piezoresistive microcantilever based neutron detector technology to fill the critical technology gap in the neutron detection area arising out of severe worldwide shortage of He-3. The translated technology has the following unique features: (i) vacuum enclosure of the microcantilever sensors, which will result in highly sensitive detection of nuclear radiation, as well as protection of the sensor from environment and unwanted radiation enhancing sensor reliability; (ii) possibility of using arrays of sensors realized through microfabrication techniques, which can offer imaging capabilities and directionality information; (iii) the usage of bimodal detection technique and two functionalization layers to perform highly efficient and unique detection of neutrons. Thus, it provides exemplary performance, cost savings and efficiency when compared to the leading competing neutron detection technology based on Boron-10 in this market space. The project accomplishes this goal by using a relatively inexpensive material with unique material properties and adopting a design strategy involving the design features mentioned above, resulting in a novel neutron detector prototype. The partnership engages Savannah River National Laboratory to provide guidance in the He-detection market space and other aspects including prototype testing and technology commercialization, as they pertain to the potential to translate the technology along a path that may result in a competitive commercial reality. The potential economic impact is expected to be in several tens of millions of dollars in the next eight years, which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in this highly critical neutron detection market space. The societal impact, long term, will be in the creation of high-tech workforce and a safer society with vastly mitigated nuclear related threats.

该 PFI：AIR 技术翻译项目的重点是翻译基于 III-V 氮化物压阻微悬臂梁的中子探测器技术，以填补因全球 He-3 严重短缺而产生的中子探测领域的关键技术空白。所转化的技术具有以下独特功能：（i）微悬臂梁传感器的真空封装，这将导致对核辐射的高灵敏度检测，并保护传感器免受环境和不需要的辐射的影响，从而提高传感器的可靠性； (ii) 使用通过微加工技术实现的传感器阵列的可能性，该技术可以提供成像能力和方向性信息； （iii）使用双峰检测技术和两个功能化层来执行高效且独特的中子检测。因此，与该市场领域基于 Boron-10 的领先竞争中子检测技术相比，它提供了堪称典范的性能、成本节约和效率。该项目通过使用具有独特材料特性的相对便宜的材料并采用涉及上述设计特征的设计策略来实现这一目标，从而产生了一种新颖的中子探测器原型。该合作伙伴关系聘请萨凡纳河国家实验室在氦气检测市场空间和其他方面（包括原型测试和技术商业化）提供指导，因为它们涉及沿着可能导致竞争性商业现实的道路转化技术的潜力。 预计未来八年潜在的经济影响将达到数千万美元，这将有助于提高美国在这个高度关键的中子探测市场领域的竞争力。从长远来看，社会影响将在于创造高科技劳动力和一个更安全的社会，大大减轻与核相关的威胁。