A Multi-Use Low-Cost, Integrated, Conductivity/Temperature Sensor

The goal of this SBIR project, which has completed Phase I and is in the process of starting Phase II, is the development of highly accurate, yet low-cost sensors for the measurement of oceanographic electrical conductivity, temperature, and depth CTD. The project s initial focus is on developing an expendable device XCTD. These low-cost XCTDs will affordably provide the greater utility of simultaneous, collocated conductivity and temperature profile measurements as compared to just temperature XBTs. The technology also will be applicable in other sensor formats and can be mounted on any platform or mooring. While the initial instantiation of our technology will be for low-frequency measurement of temperature and conductivity, our approach can be applied to high-frrequency measurements as well, allowing measurement of turbulent patches in the ocean. In addition, our use of hybrid circuitry will allow for expansion to other sensed parameters without greatly increasing the volume of the electronics package.