Now, iPhone sized radio transmitters to predict volcanic eruption
September 20th, 2010 - 5:30 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Sep 20 (ANI): Early warning of a volcanic eruption may now be possible as scientists have developed radio transmitters- about the size of iPhone-that could be dropped into the depths of the earth as they can withstand temperatures of up to 900 degree Celsius.
The state-of-the-art technology being pioneered by experts at Newcastle University uses Silicon Carbide electronics that can withstand temperatures equal to the inside of a jet engine.
Measuring subtle changes in the levels of key volcanic gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, the wireless sensor would feed back real-time data to the surface, providing vital information about volcanic activity and any impending eruption.
And because of its unique molecular structure - which is more stable than silicon - Silicon Carbide also has a high radiation tolerance opening up possibilities for its use in the nuclear industry.
The team has developed the necessary components and are now working to integrate them into a device about the size of an iPhone that could be used in a variety of locations such as power plants, aircraft engines and even volcanoes.
Alton Horsfall, who leads the Silicon Carbide work alongside Nick Wright, explained: “At the moment we have no way of accurately monitoring the situation inside a volcano and in fact most data collection actually goes on post-eruption. With an estimated 500 million people living in the shadow of a volcano this is clearly not ideal.
“We still have some way to go but using silicon carbide technology we hope to develop a wireless communication system that could accurately collect and transmit chemical data from the very depths of a volcano.”
And the device has other uses. “If someone sets off a bomb on the underground, for example, this will still sit on the wall and tell you what’s going on,” said Horsfall.
Nick Wright, of Newcastle University, added: “The situations we are planning to use our technology in means it’s not enough for the electronics to simply withstand extremes of temperature, pressure or radiation - they have to continue operating absolutely accurately and reliably.
The findings appeared in the Engineer. (ANI)
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Tags: degree celsius, depths of the earth, horsfall, impending eruption, iphone, living in the shadow, necessary components, newcastle university, nick wright, power plants, radiation tolerance, real time data, silicon carbide electronics, silicon carbide technology, state of the art technology, sulphur dioxide, volcanic activity, volcanic eruption, volcanic gases, wireless communication system