Environetix

Environetix Technologies Corporation (Orono, ME) is developing wireless, passive sensors and systems for harsh environments based on microwave acoustic sensor technology. The lightweight and low‐profile nature of the sensor technology is achieved by using wireless microwave acoustic devices that are less than 0.5 mm thick, a few mm2 in size, and fractions of a gram in weight. Successful high temperature sensor operation results from using stable piezoelectric langasite crystals and novel, proprietary nanocomposite electrodes patented by the University of Maine and licensed to Environetix. The miniature microwave acoustic sensors can be attached to typical turbine materials such as Inconel and operate both in static and rotating parts of turbine engines, surviving g-forces in excess of 50,000 g and temperature up to 1000°C. Environetix initially targeted the development of wireless temperature sensors capable of operating in harsh environments (EVHT-100), and current product development is extending the technology to also measure pressure, strain, vibration, and corrosion. A key attribute of Environetix’s sensor technology is the wireless interrogation capabilities of the sensor system. Wireless interrogation enables sensor operation in harsh environments on rotating parts.