Sensors withstand extreme temperatures

So believe engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS) in Duisburg, where the pressure system has been developed.

The pressure system is viewed as something that could be particularly helpful for geologists with work such as searching for oil deposits. In these cases, drill bits will gradually burrow deeper into the earth, working through rock.

Meanwhile, dozens of sensors must engage in tasks such as taking pressure readings and evaluating porosity. The conditions they face are extreme, with the sensors being required to withstand high temperatures and pressures as well as shocks and vibrations. The sensors then send the data they collect to the surface.

One hurdle for these sensors, however, is on average they can only withstand temperatures of between 80^oC and 125^oC, but at great depths the temperature is often significantly higher.

In order to combat this problem, the Fraunhofer engineers developed new pressure sensors. These consist of two components that are located on a microelectronic chip or wafer.