SBIR-STTR Award

A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) based sensor is proposed for measuring the viscosity and density of oil. Sensor attributes, which include small sample size (

Benefit:
This sensor could be used in a handheld test meter for periodic condition mornitoring (CM) or as a feedback instrument for online process control (OPC). BioScale has commercial contacts for this device in the markets of semiconductor fabrication, merchant marine fleet maintenance, agriculture and forestry equipment manufacturing, food production, aircraft manufacturing, and motorcycle manufacturing.

Keywords:
Condition Based Maintenance, Condition Based Maintenance, online process control, fluid properties, flexural plate wave., dynamic viscosity, Resonant sensor, density, kinematic viscosity

Conditioned based monitoring of oil quality can significantly reduce the cost of ownership of engines and other heavy equipment. This benefit is achieved primarily by reducing equipment down time. BioScale proposes to develop a MEMS-based viscosity sensor to meet the Navys need for diesel engine oil quality monitoring. The sensor will be packaged into a handheld instrument for grab-sample analysis of oil samples. Calibration and testing methods will be developed. A second version of the sensor system will be developed for on-line measurements of oil viscosity in a flowing system. Autonomous operation will allow the sensor to report measurements continuously to a host data collection system. Prototypes of each sensor system will be delivered to the Navy for evaluation at the conclusion of the Phase II program. BioScale has secured private investment to support a significant portion of the proposed technical effort.

Benefit:
This sensor could be used in a handheld test meter for periodic condition mornitoring (CM), and OEM isntrument for real-time condition based maintenance (CBM), or as a feedback instrument for online process control (OPC). BioScale has made commercial contacts for this device in the markets of terrestrial and marine diesel engine condition based maintenance (CBM), semiconductor fabrication process control, agriculture and forestry equipment manufacturing, food production, aircraft gas turbine engine CBM, and fermentation process control.

Keywords:
MEMS Sensor, Diesel Engine Lubrication Analysis, viscometer, Viscosity and Density Measurement, Condition Base Maintenance (CBM)