Harsh Environment Sensors

This research focuses on the development of sensors designed to monitor high temperatures in harsh environments, including reducing, erosive, and corrosive atmospheres. The technology centers on the fabrication and design of thermistor- and thermocouple-based sensors using refractory conductive materials, such as doped LaCrO₃ perovskites, with various cations substituting the A- and/or B-sites. The doping effects—specifically the chemical identity and concentration of the substituting atoms—are correlated with key properties, including electrical, optical, thermoelectric behavior, densification, and phase development, allowing for the optimal design of sensors for real-world and industrial applications, such as metallurgical furnaces and coal boilers. Experimental investigations are complemented by DFT calculations to predict and validate results through both experimental and computational approaches. The sensors are fabricated using advanced techniques such as 3D printing and stencil-based methods and are embedded within insulating refractory oxides like chromia and alumina. Additionally, the development of conductive and insulating composites is an integral aspect of this research, further enhancing the performance and reliability of the sensors under extreme conditions.