Expanding the Vision of Sensor Materials (1995) / Chapter Skim
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CHAPTER 2: INTERDISCIPLINARY STRATEGY
CHAPTER 2: INTERDISCIPLINARY STRATEGY
Pages 19-28
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From page 19... ...
It can be used to aid analysis and to foster communication between sensor users and sensor technologists and thus facilitate identification of R&D opportunities 19 and strategies. In preparing its report, the committee used the framework to explore sensor applications relevant to its task and important classes of sensor materials.
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From page 20... ...
In the case of sensors for mass market applications, clearly defined R&D strategies have frequently been identified and implemented. For example, current materials research is addressing some of the shortcomings in the oxygen sensor used in the exhaust systems of modern automobiles (Hughes et al., 1991~.2 In contrast, evidence from a number of case histories considered by the committee indicates that the selection and development of materials for niche market applications oftentimes did not originate from a logical, top-down strategy but rather from a timely combination of technical, commercial, and government considerations, including availability of, and constraints on, federal grants and support for small businesses.
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From page 21... ...
As noted above, growing technical complexity requires adaptability in the approach to materials R&D. This observation is particularly pertinent to the development of increasingly complex and sophisticated sensor systems, such as smart sensors that incorporate dedicated, on-chip signal processing.
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From page 22... ...
In particular, the ability to bring highpower optical energy to the measurement site within a narrow bandwidth and coherency generated a need for fibers with controlled refractive indices, polarization-maintanence, and temperature stability. The example of optical fibers illustrates that leveraging and exploiting materials developed for purposes other than sensing can lead to sophisticated sensor technologies.
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From page 23... ...
The need to improve the planning of sensors R&D derives from multiple factors: · interest in accelerating the product innovation cycle; · the increasing complexity of product technology; and · increased costs in conducting and commercializing R&D. The fact that much sensor development has taken place as an adjunct to larger programs in areas such as materials processing, equipment maintenance, or control systems is due in large measure to the relative "newness" of the field compared to many of the other technical disciplines.5 Due to their multidisciplinary nature, R&D programs in sensor materials frequently do not usually fit neatly into conventional areas of materials science and engineering (e.g., ceramic materials, metallurgy, nondestructive evaluation, etc.~.
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From page 24... ...
First, the descriptors were chosen to provide a comprehensive, though not necessarily exhaustive, means of describing required performance specifications and sensor attributes. Second, the descriptors were selected to allow unbiased evaluation of candidate sensor technologies, since the descriptors themselves should not a priori favor the selection of a particular sensor or technology.
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From page 26... ...
Information about the particular sensor application is depicted on the left in terms of requirements, and information about a candidate sensor technology (technology attributes) for addressing that application is shown on the right.
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From page 27... ...
In practice, the process of completing the framework and performing the match requires considerable technical expertise and judgment. For example, the identification of a particular sensor application and candidate sensor technologies will likely require significant interaction between the sensor users who understand the problem domain and the sensor technologists who know what the technology can provide.
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From page 28... ...
1992. Presentation by John Thome, Motorola Corp, on mass markets for low cost sensors to the Committee on New Sensor Technologies: Materials and Applications, February.
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