Sensitive Magnetic- and Electric-fields Nanosensor Array for Warfare Vehicles Positioning
Abstract
Rapid and precise detection of warfare vehicles such as fighter aircrafts, missiles, drones and nuclear submarines has tremendous significance for national security. The conventional acoustic approaches became incapable due to the present stealth technologies accomplished by the developments of ultra-quiet engines and sound-dampening coating on vehicles’ hulls. LIDAR (light detection and ranging) enables the non-acoustic detection of vehicles by emitting a laser pulse and measuring the reflected light. However, light would be strongly absorbed or scattered by water and plants (for underwater detection) or buildings and clouds (for above ground detection), which limits LIDAR application in many environments. Recent years have witnessed the increasing interest in the field detection techniques (i.e., magnetic or electric field detection). For example, the metallic hulls of submarines disturb the earth magnetic field lines, leading to magnetic anomaly detection. For another example, when aircrafts fly or hostile arms are projected (e.g., missiles), the strong metal-air frictions produce charges and emit electric fields, and the moving charges further produce magnetic fields. Therefore, the detection of magnetic and/or electric fields are widely applicable in the tough environments where conventional sensing technologies fail, and so finds broad applications in critical defense/battle technologies. This effort aims to develop a nanosensor array based on emergent 2D magnets for the simultaneous detection of magnetic and electric fields, which could enable the detection and positioning of warfare vehicles, both underwater and above the ground, with dramatically enhanced efficiency and accuracy. The students engaged in this program, including one Ph.D. student and two undergraduate students, will be trained with a multitude of expertise ranging from magnetic field simulations, nanofabrication of nanodevices, to the magnetoelectric and magneto-optical characterizations of nanodevices. This program will develop the experiential learning opportunities for students to engage in real-world problem solving, and prepare these students as the future generation of workforce for the U.S. Navy relevant science and technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2021
- Source ID
- N004212210001
Entities
People
- Cheng Gong
Organizations
- United States Navy
- University of Maryland