This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop innovations pertaining to optrodes (optical sensors) and electro-optical instrumentation for advanced material characterization. Specifically, this project will develop the first commercially available high-resolution volumetric dilatometer. In addition, the innovations will allow for: (1) a linear dilatometer that possesses a resolution that is 2-3 orders of magnitude better than its conventional linear counterparts; (2) an optical control system for micro-translation stages; (3) an optrode for thin film characterization that possesses a linear resolution exceeding 1 nanometer; and (4) an ultra-fast, high-resolution spectrometer that will enable commercialization of three optical sensors (pressure, temperature, and load) suitable for harsh environments.
Potential commercial applications are expected in electronics and microelectronics manufacturing for dilatometry, thin films analysis, micro-translation stages, ultra-fast spectroscopy, and various optical sensors.
