It is reported that at present, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has recently developed a 3D printing precision plasma sensor, which is low-cost and easy to manufacture. These digital devices can help scientists predict the weather or study climate change. The plasma sensor is also known as "delayed potential analyzer (RPAS)", which is used by orbiting spacecraft such as satellites to determine atmospheric chemical composition and ion energy distribution. The semiconductor plasma sensor manufactured by 3D printing and laser cutting process requires a dust-free environment, which leads to the high cost of the semiconductor plasma sensor and requires a complex manufacturing process of several weeks. In contrast, the newly developed plasma sensor at MIT takes only a few days to manufacture and costs tens of dollars. Due to its low cost and high production speed, this new sensor is an ideal choice for cube satellites. Cube satellites are low-cost, low-power and light-weight, and are often used for communication and environmental monitoring in the upper atmosphere of the earth. The research team has developed a new type of plasma sensor using glass-ceramic materials that are more elastic than traditional sensor materials such as silicon and thin film coating. By using glass-ceramic in the process of plastic 3D printing, it can produce sensors with complex shapes, which can withstand the huge temperature fluctuations that the spacecraft may encounter in low earth orbit. The senior author of the Research Report and the chief scientist of MIT microsystems technology laboratory (MTL) Louis? Fernando? Luis Fernando Velasquez Garcia said: "additive manufacturing will have a significant impact on the future space hardware field. Some people think that when 3D printing some objects, it must be recognized that their performance is low, but we have proved that this is not always the case." At present, this latest research report is published in the recently published journal of additive manufacturing. The multifunctional sensor plasma sensor was first used in space missions in 1959. It can detect the energy of ions or charged particles floating in the plasma, which is a mixture of superheated molecules existing in the upper atmosphere of the earth. On orbiting spacecraft such as cube satellite, plasma sensors can measure energy changes and conduct chemical analysis, thus helping scientists predict weather or monitor climate change. The sensor contains a series of charged grids filled with holes. When the plasma passes through the holes, electrons and other particles will be stripped until only ions are left. When these ions generate current, the sensor will measure and analyze them. The key to the successful application of the plasma sensor is the hole structure of the aligned grid, which must have electrical insulation and can withstand the violent temperature fluctuations. Researchers use a glass-ceramic material that can be 3D printed - vitrolite, which meets the above characteristics. It is reported that vitrolite materials first appeared in the early 20th century and are often used in color tile design, becoming the most common materials in decorative art buildings. Durable vitrolite material can withstand:
Edit：Li Jialang Responsible editor：Mu Mu
Source：ithome.com
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email：lwxsd@liaowanghn.com
Sci-Tech
Recommended Reading Change it 
Home
