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The Systems Technology design group creates fieldable microsystems for applications in the marine environment. This group uses a suite of non-traditional materials including such things as polyimide, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), hydrogels, ceramic, glass and metals. Through printed circuit boards (PCB)/ MEMS processes, sensors and circuitry are developed using photoimaging and photolithography. Features as small as 25 microns can be patterned onto many flexible substrates. The Organic MEMS laboratory also has capabilities for the electrochemical deposition of metals – both by electroless deposition and by electroplating. Using these techniques, sensors are developed for oceanic applications. These sensors can be designed to monitor the biological, chemical and physical environment or used for the detection of microbial, chemical, or radiological agents. Biotic and abiotic environmental parameters can be measured and recorded. These microsystems, designed to be small, disposable, inexpensive, and either mounted or hand-held, may be deployed upon autonomous or remotely-guided vehicles (AUVs or ROVs) or upon platforms for continuous monitoring. Work continues on detection of both waterborne and airborne targets. Different elements may also be combined to develop an array of sensors or microfluidics upon a complete system. The collaboration between scientists and engineers in our laboratories allows the potential for new possibilities of in situ analysis of marine systems. |
