Heather Broadbent

Research Engineer

• Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography expected 2010. University of South Florida
• MS in Marine Science, 2005, University of South Florida
• B.S. in Biology, 1994, Eastern Michigan University

• Phone:(727) 553-1287
• Fax: (727) 553-3967
• E-mail: hbroadbent@mail.usf.edu

My current research interest is the development and fabrication of a miniature low-cost PCB-based (Printed Circuitboard) CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) bio-tag. These tags will be attached to marine animals to gather valuable oceanographic, biological and ecosystem data from their immediate underwater environment.

Recently I have worked on a small low-cost PCB-based CTD system for in-situ salinity measurements. The system consists of a planar 4-electrode conductivity cell, a resistive temperature device and a piezoresistive pressure module (Intersema). The current prototype is 4 x 4 inches and has successfully been deployed in coastal waters for 65 days.

My other interests include development of processes to fabricate architectures using Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) material. Processes for microfluidic devices, microsensors and actuators have been developed using PCB fabrication techniques.

Professional Experience:

• Center for Ocean Technology (2008-present) Research Engineer
• Center for Ocean Technology (2000-2008) biologist/ Process Development Specialist
• Sun-Glo Plating Co. (1997-2000) Quality Control Chemist
• PSI Analytical Services (1996-1997) Laboratory Technician

Awards

• C.W. Bill Young Fellowship 2004 for research toward the advancement of ocean sensors using MEMS technology. MS Thesis: "Development of a CTD System for Environmental Measurements Using Novel PCB MEMS Fabrication Techniques."
• C.W. Bill Young Fellowship 2008 for Ph.D. research on the "The Development of a miniature CTD-biologger to determine the use of physical microstructure by foraging Adelie Penguins".

Publications:

• H.A. Broadbent, S. Ivanov, D. Fries. 2008. "Miniature low-cost CTD biologger for environmental measurements." Poster presentation at 3rd International Biologging Science Symposium, Pacific Grove, CA, September 1-5th, 2008.
• D.P. Fries, S. Ivanov, P. Bhanushali, J. Wilson, H. Broadbent, A. Sanderson. 2007. Low Cost, High Bandwidth, Coastal Sensor Networks, Oceanography, Vol 20, No 4, 74-79.
• H.A. Broadbent, S. Ivanov, D. Fries. 2007. "A miniature, low cost CTD system for coastal salinity measurements" Meas. Sci. Technol. 18: 3295-3302.
• H. A. Broadbent, S. Ivanov, D. Fries, "Fabrication of a LCP-based conductivity cell and resistive temperature device via PCB MEMS technology.", 2007, J. Micromech. Microeng. 17 722-729.
• H.Broadbent, S. Ivanov, G. Steimle, D. Fries, "Development of a miniature oceanographic CTD system." Poster Presented at ASLO 2005 Aquatic Sciences meeting, Feb. 20-25, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.
• H. Broadbent, S. Ivanov, D. Fries, "PCBMEMS Environmental Sensors in the Field." Oral presentation at 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics (ISIE2007), Vigo (Spain), June 4-7, 2007.
• H. Broadbent, D. Fries, S. Ivanov, S. Natarajan, A. Cardenas, J. Fu, T. Weller, and G. Steimle. "LCP PCB/MEMS for Field Systems." Presented at the IPC Annual Conference, October 1, 2003, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
• H. Broadbent, G. Steimle, D. Fries, S Ivanov, S. Natarajan, A. Cardenas, M. Janowiak, T. Weller, R. Benson and J. Fu. "Maskless Lithographic LCP PCB/MEMS for Field Sensors." Paper presented at the Liquid Crystalline Polymer Material Processing and Applications Symposium, PMTEC conference at Huntsville, AL, on October 29, 2002.
• H. Broadbent, D. Fries, G. Steimle, S Ivanov, S. Natarajan, T.Weller. "PCB/MEMS Salinity Analyzer." Poster presented at the Conference for New Horizons for Environmental Analytical Chemistry through Miniturization and Nanotechnology, 6th Euroconference on Environmental Analytical Chemistry at Peer, Belgium on October 18-22, 2002.

Patents

• Heather Broadbent, David Fries, Stan Ivanov, George Steimle, "Micro Sensor System for Liquid Conductivity, Temperature and Depth." Patent No. 7,259,566, August 21, 2007.
• David Fries, George Steimle, Heather Broadbent, "Method for Etching Microchannel Networks within Liquid Crystal Polymer Substrates." Patent No. 7,425,276, September 16, 2008.