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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R12947/01
Title: An Initial Investigation Into Lithographic Film Sensors
Principal Investigator: Harrison, Professor D
Other Investigators:
Ramsey, Dr B Evans, Dr PSA Ramsey, Dr B
Billett, Professor E
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Dupont Gwent Group Rotronic Measurment Solution
Department: Design
Organisation: Brunel University London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 2001 Ends: 30 June 2002 Value (£): 61,082
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. Manufacturing Machine & Plant
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
Electronics Food and Drink
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of this project is to lay the foundation for a generic technology for the fabrication of low-cost sensors. As an exemplar the project will focus on fabricating low-cost capacitive-based sensors via the Conductive Lithographic Film (CLF) process. The project will investigate two specific designs of printed structure to measure relative humidity: one relies on a hygroscopic substrate and the other relies on a hygroscopic polymer film coating. The aim of the project is to evaluate these approaches to humidity sensor manufacture via the CLF process.Screen printing is one method for manufacturing sensors. However, the Foresight document Sensor Systems for Environmental Monitoring and Instrumentation , clearly identified a need for improved production processes for sensors, and indicated that potential exists for the development of related technologies. The Conductive Lithographic Film process is an emerging fabrication technique for a wide range of electronic circuits and systems. The process employs standard lithographic printing technology to fabricating conductive film patterns on a range of flexible substrates using purpose developed conductive links. CLF substrates are printed rapidly via a one-stage printing process and are consequently cheap to produce. The films are robust withstanding a range of standard environmental test regimes. We propose to adapt this process to manufacture low-cost capacitive-based relative humidity sensors. We believe there is considerable potential for cheap, disposable printed relative humidity sensors. The potential application areas include wood-pulp and paper making industries, printing & packing, domestic housing, storage of food-stuffs and pharmaceuticals.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.brunel.ac.uk