High-Temperature Harsh-Environment SAW Sensor Technology

There is a significant interest and demand for robust sensor systems that can accurately monitor important parameters such as temperature, strain, pressure, corrosion, and gas presence, concentrations, and type, under high-temperature (HT) harsh-environment (HE) conditions. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors can respond to this demand and have a major advantage of being able to carry out wireless passive multi-sensor operation in such environments. Thus, the HT HE SAW wireless technology can respond to novel applications in areas such as the energy sector, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. This invited paper reviews key aspects and challenges related to the HT HE SAW sensor technology relevant to the industry sectors listed above, including materials, devices, packaging, and wireless interrogation systems. Selected past and recent implementation successes of wireless SAW-based sensor technology within relevant HT HE test-bed applications are presented, including power plants, turbine engines, and composite material manufacturing.