SBIR-STTR Award

SelfPowered wireless sensors are needed on hightemperature rotating turbine engine components for real time sensing of component health. Conventional temperature, pressure and strain sensors use wired connections and slip rings which are not desired. Conventional wireless technology uses transmitters containing active semiconductors which degrade upon high temperature exposure. Although numerous wireless sensor products exist for industrial wireless sensing, powering the sensors and their use in high temperature environments remain key technical limiters for broad industrial market applicability. The temperature sensitivity and limited life of the batteries remains a major impediment to their application in high temperature regions of power generation facilities. DirectWriteThermalSpray Technology developed by MesoScribe Technologies can deposit lowprofile, passive wireless sensors directly onto conformal turbine components and embed the sensors within protective coatings to maximize durability and minimize air flow turbulence. Based on this technology and KCF Technologies expertise in the areas of high temperature sensing, energy harvesting, and ultralow power wireless sensors, we will develop selfpowered, passive wireless, hightemperature sensors for in situ measurement of temperature, strain and pressure inside gas turbines for power generation systems.Commercial Applications and Other

Benefits:
Sensors for structural health monitoring are in high demand, spanning a range of industries including power generation, commercial and military aviation, aerospace structures and transportation. Steam turbines and gas turbines used in the power generation industry are examples of critical equipment that must operate at top performance to provide the low cost electricity that drives the U.S. economy.

Selfpowered wireless sensors are needed for remotely assessing the health of fossil fuel turbine systems to maximize engine safety and readiness while minimizing fulllife maintenance and sustainment costs. Demands for increased engine performance require sensor systems to survive at temperatures of up to 1500C and at high pressures without impacting air flow. Conventional sensors cannot withstand these extremely harsh environments and are rarely selfpowered with the option for wireless interrogation. An opportunity thus exists for the development of high temperature sensors fully integrated with energy harvesters that can transmit data wirelessly to engine management control systems. MesoScribe Technologies proposes a collaborative effort with KCF Technologies to develop a selfpowered wireless sensor system for monitoring industrial gas turbines. Novel passive wireless sensor technologies based on high temperature resonant LC circuits fabricated via Direct Write will be developed for measuring temperature, strain, and pressure on rotating components. Both these passive wireless and other high temperature Direct Write sensors will be integrated with power harvesting modules and wireless transmitters as part of the Phase II project. Prototype sensor systems will be validated using burner rigs and spin testing facilities to advance the technology readiness level and position the technology for engine testing. Commercial Applications and Other

Benefits:
Sensors for health monitoring are in high demand, spanning a range of industries including power generation, commercial and military aviation, aerospace structures, and transportation. Gas turbines, steam turbines, coal fired boilers, and gasification systems used in the power generation industry are examples of critical equipment that must operate at top performance to provide low cost electricity to the U.S. consumer. Incorporating energy harvesters to power both the sensors and wireless transmitters will facilitate commercial installations and provide a practical route for system implementation within power plants.