Two-Sensor System for Absolute Age and Temperature History

Technology Summary

Numerous commercial and military applications require knowing the absolute age and/or temperature history of a device or system starting from the time it is assembled or commissioned. Ideally this information could be obtained simply and without power. The Sandia-developed age and temperature history sensor is a physical materials system solution to address this need.

Description

Sandia’s passive sensor is based on diffusion of one metal into another, or into a semiconductor, as a function of time and temperature. This new technology leverages two similar sensors with different activation energies, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the attached market sheet. Sensors can be conductive, capacitive, optical, visual or crystalline. Devices can be created using standard metal deposition techniques on common semiconductor and micro-device substrates, including sputter coating, chemical vapor deposition and electrochemical methods.

Benefits

  • Does not require power during the aging period
  • Can determine absolute age independently of temperature history
  • Suitable for emplacement on circuit boards

Applications and Industries

  • Removal/Replacement of Systems Exposed to Extreme Environments
  • Verification/Invalidation of Warranty Claims

Portfolio name
Sensors & Detectors

To discuss licensing opportunities, fill out our Contact Form 
Download the PDFs for more information

Intellectual Property

Title
ID Number
Patent Number
Date
Passive absolute age and temperature history sensor 9,182,436 11/10/2015
Issued
Technology IDSD#11622Development StagePrototype - Sandia estimates this technology at TRL 3. The basic concepts have been demonstrated analytically.AvailabilityAvailable - Various licensing and partnering options are available. Please contact the Intellectual Property department to discuss.Published10/07/2013Last Updated10/07/2013