High-Temperature Sapphire Pressure Sensors for Harsh Environments

This project will demonstrate advanced manufacturing technologies for sapphire-based, high-temperature pressure sensors. Picosecond laser micromachining and spark plasma sintering will be used to achieve this goal. Project objectives include identifying laser ablation process variables, the characterization (and mitigation) of thermo-mechanical damage via the manufacturing process, and the development of cost/energy efficient procedures for rapid joining of components. The final result will be a fully packaged sapphire optical sensor capable of deployment in gas turbine applications at temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius (°C) and pressures up to 1000 pounds per square inch (psi).

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Left: Illustration of the fiber-optic lever transduction scheme implemented in the pressure sensor Right: Schematic of sensor and packaging for the high-temperature pressure sensor

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High-Temperature Sapphire Pressure Sensors for Harsh Environments (March 2017)
Presented by Alexandra Garraud, University of Florida, Project Review Meeting for Crosscutting Research, Gasification Systems, and Rare Earth Elements Research Portfolios, Pittsburgh, PA.
High-Temperature Sapphire Pressure Sensors for Harsh Environments (April 2016)
Presented by Justin Kiehne, University of Florida, 2016 NETL Crosscutting Technology Research Review Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.
High-Temperature Sapphire Pressure Sensors for Harsh Environments (April 2015)
Presented by David Mills, University of Florida, 2015 NETL Crosscutting Technology Research Review Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.
Ultra-short Pulsed Laser Micromachining of Sapphire (May 2014)
Poster by Daniel Blood, University of Florida, 2014 NETL Crosscutting Technology Research Review Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.

Principal Investigator

Mark Sheplak

sheplak@ufl.edu

Project Benefits

This project will demonstrate advanced manufacturing technologies for high-temperature pressure sensors and develop an optical sapphire pressure sensor capable of operating in environments in excess of 1000°C and 1000 psi. Overall, developing sensors to assist in monitoring the operation and performance of critical components in harsh conditions obtainable in power plants, combustion turbines, and gasification facilities, is expected to lower operating costs.

Project ID

FE0012370

Website

University of Florida

http://www.ufl.edu/