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Research
ASR&D is advancing the state-of-the-art in surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing for a range of applications. Specific advances include development or demonstration of:
- Temperature sensors with design-specified sensitivity – making device performance at the discretion of the designer, rather than purely a function of substrate physical properties
- Groups of 32 coded sensors that can be individually read when simultaneously operating in the field of view of a reader
- Rapid, reversible humidity sensors
- Hydrogen sensors that respond in less than a second and recover fully at room temperature
- Multiplexed biosensors with on-chip microfluidic channels functionalized to detect multiple infectious agents
- Coded sensor-tag interface devices that allow wireless reading of switches, strain gauges, thermistors, and other impedance varying or voltage-producing sensors, providing device ID and sensor measurement information
More detailed information on each of these programs can be found in the appropriate section below.
R&D Services
ASR&D provides a variety of contract research and technology development services to a range of customers. Services include custom acoustic wave sensor design, prototyping, test, and characterization, and electronic reader customization.
ASR&D Physical Sensor Development
ASR&D's primary physical sensor work focuses on wireless measurement of temperature and strain. Strain is best addressed using SAW sensor-tags as wireless interface devices to strain gauges, hence this work is described under the "sensor tag" section of this web site. The goal of ASR&D's temperature sensor work is development of a wireless sensor system consisting of 100 or more coded SAW temperature sensors and an electronic reader for measuring the sensors wirelessly. To date, ASR&D has successfully demonstrated a group of 32 coded SAW devices that are individually identifiable when all the devices are simultaneously operable within the field of view (FOV) of the reader.
ASR&D Chemical Sensor Development
Chemical sensor development at ASR&D has focused on the gas detection needs of our customers, including the detection of hydrogen, methane, hypergolic propellants, and humidity. The sensors demonstrated by ASR&D provide rapid, reversible responses to these vapors at room temperature, with quantitation possible for selected vapors and concentration ranges. Sensors can be optimized for leak detection or for real time vapor concentration monitoring.
ASR&D Biosensor Development
ASR&D is actively developing tools for point-of-care (POC) diagnosis of infectious agents based on the company's patented acoustic wave array affinity biosensor technology. This goal of this work is a diagnostic system consisting of a reusable hand-held reader capable of simple push-button operation for automated analysis of samples, and cost-effective disposable microfluidic sensor cartridges that have been functionalized to provide optimal identification of multiple clinically relevant target infectious agents. ASR&D's biosensor chip incorporates microfluidic channels and nanostructured biologically specific binding films to provide rapid, simultaneous, direct detection of multiple infectious agents. The results of each test will be provided locally by the electronic reader in under 20 minutes, and can be reported remotely through a variety of wireless options to centralized reporting facilities. The cost effective nature of these disposable biosensor cartridges and electronic readers, combined with their ease of use by untrained personnel, will enable widespread testing for infections and monitoring of outbreaks, even in resource limited settings.
Sensor Tag Development
In addition to developing physical, chemical, and biological sensors based on SAW device technology, ASR&D is also developing individually coded SAW devices suited for use as wireless interface devices to external passive impedance varying or voltage producing sensors.