Time-of-Flight Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-098 Topic Title: Time-of-Flight Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor Proposal No.: N101-098-0216 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Information Technologies Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg. 100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Daniel Bock Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for high-accuracy, skin friction measurement of a fluid in underwater applications, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Time-of-Flight Surface Acoustic Wave (TOFSAW) sensor. This proposed device is based on a new design for surface acoustic wave coupling to fluids for velocity measurement in 3D around the detection point. The innovation in the TOFSAW sensor design will enable the device to measure the velocity profile to give a measurement of the fluid frictional forces at high velocity and high Reynolds numbers (up to 20 million). As a result, this device offers better than 0.1% accuracy, self-calibration, digital-signal output, and small size, which directly address the Navy requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of TOFSAW by developing a proof-of concept device to measure Reynolds numbers up to 1 million. In Phase II, POC plans to further mature the technology, testing it in fluid flows of Reynolds numbers of 10 million at the end of development. Benefits: The successful development of TOFSAW will benefit both the military and the public by providing the capability to monitor surface flow with unparalleled accuracy. It will provide better skin friction measurements in order to evaluate different body designs (land, air, and sea vehicles), which will then lead to improved fuel economy for reduced costs. This will then reduce costs in development time by more accurate and faster evaluation of the performance of surfaces in a fluid flow. In addition TOFSAW can be integrated into a large number of different DOD systems, from Navy submarines, to surface ships, and aircraft for measurement and evaluation of performance under various conditions. Return