Sensors that Operate at High Temperatures and in Extreme Environments
Sensors that Operate at High Temperatures and in Extreme Environments Close-up photo of the new piezoelectric sensor developed by University of Houston researchers. It can potentially work in extreme environments. Extreme environments in several critical industries — aerospace, energy, transportation, and defense — require sensors to measure and monitor numerous factors under harsh conditions to ensure human safety and the integrity of mechanical systems. In the petrochemical industry, for example, pipeline pressures must be monitored at climates ranging from hot desert heat to near arctic cold. Various nuclear reactors operate at a range of 300-1000 °C, while deep geothermal wells hold temperatures up to 600 °C. A team of University of Houston researchers has developed a new sensor that was proven to work in temperatures as high as 900 °C (1,650 °F), which is the temperature of mafic volcanic lava, the hottest type of lava on Earth. “Highly sensitive, reliable and durable sensors tha