IDEA #17QIXC HIGH-RELIABLE NANOSTRUCTURED THICK-FILM SPINELS FOR MULTIFUNCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT SENSORS

Description The principally new thick films and their multilayer structures based on semiconductor mixed transition- metal oxymanganospinels and dielectric magnesium aluminates for multifunctional environment sensors with integrated temperature/humidity measuring- monitoring-control possibilities are developed. Innovative Aspects and Main Advantages Thick-film performance of the proposed sensing devices (see Fig. 1) has essential advantages, non-available for traditional bulk ceramics: (1) – the layers of fine-grained semiconductors possessing p- and n-type of electrical conductivity (the possibility to fabricate multilayer diode-type thick- film structures for new-generation electronics); (2) – the exclusive electrophysical properties and high level of functional reliability owing to direct connection of separate thick-film elements without any additional joiners (Fig. 2); (3) – the environment-friendly thick films and their structures without any hazardous substances (like to Pb, Hg, Cd, As, etc.) in respect to the European Union Requirements (the Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council from 27.01.2003). Fig. 1. View of planar-type thick-film spinels fabricated on alumina substrate compared to disk-type bulk analogues. Sensors, Measuring Systems & Materials Design HIGH-RELIABLE NANOSTRUCTURED THICK-FILM SPINELS FOR MULTIFUNCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT SENSORS n p n d p Fig. 2. Topological scheme illustrating integrated humidity-temperature sensing functionality in the developed spinel-type multilayer structures (commutation contacts are shown by blue; dielectric layer – by orange, p- and n-type semiconducting layers – by yellow and green, respectively). Area of Application Integrated temperature/humidity measurements, control and monitoring in household electronics (refrigerators and deep freezers, washing machines, electric cookers, air- heating and conditioning systems), automotive and industrial electronics, telecommunication networks, biomedicine, etc. Stage of development Separate elements of the above multilayer thick-film environment sensors fabricated in planar-type design were laboratory tested in SRC “Carat”. The choice of basic oxymanganospinel material is patented in Ukraine (Patent No 47534, priority – 06.04.2000). Contact details: Scientific Research Company "Carat", Lviv, Ukraine Contact persons: Dr. Mykola Vakiv, Prof. Oleh Shpotyuk Address: 202, Stryjska str., Lviv, 79031, Ukraine Tel. +38 032 2 63-83-03; Fax: +38 032 2 94-97-35 E-mail: shpotyuk@novas.lviv.ua Web-site: www.electron.lviv.ua