University of Pittsburgh, NETL to develop sensors for infrastructure monitoring

The University of Pittsburgh and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, recently signed an agreement to explore areas of cooperation in the field of novel sensors for infrastructure monitoring.

Sensors for infrastructure monitoring are used to ensure the optimum operation of existing and new energy technologies. Real-time monitoring technologies are used in a variety of applications, including civil structures, energy transportation, power generation, power grid, and renewables.

The partners will participate in meetings, technical forums, and workshops and engage with other organizations. They will explore opportunities for collaboration and opportunities to pursue funding for collaborative research projects. The goal is to identify opportunities to enable a research development and demonstration path from fundamental studies to sensor fabrication and demonstration.

“The emphasis is on collaboration and building on an outstanding record of research impact in the area of sensors,” University of Pittsburgh Professor Paul Ohodnicki said. “In addition to achieving technical advances in sensors, an important outcome will be workforce development.”

The university has experience in functional sensing materials, thin film coating deposition, and integrated capabilities for materials and tool development in fiber optic and passive wireless sensor technologies.

NETL has expertise in various sensor technologies leveraging optical fiber-based, microwave/wireless sensor, and electrochemical sensor platforms.