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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Monitoring Moisture Content in Surface Barriers Using a Passive Sensor Platform

Conference ·
OSTI ID:910846
Work is being performed to develop a versatile micro-power sensor platform for the purpose of periodic, remote sensing of environmental variables such as subsurface moisture or radiation. The key characteristics of the platform architecture are that the components are passive, thereby requiring no internal power source and that it communicates with a "reader" via short range telemetry, i.e. no wires need penetrate barrier structure. Other significant attributes include the potential for a long service life and a compact size that makes it well suited for retrofitting existing barrier structures. Functionally, the sensor package is read by a short range induction coil that both activates/powers the sensor platform and detects the sensor output via a radio frequency signal generated by the onboard programmable interface controller microchip. To date, a prototype of the platform has been constructed and tested with a commercial moisture sensor. Work is now in progress to extend the capabilities of the existing platform to permit moisture sensing through landfill surface barriers (caps). Specifically, work is being performed to extend the telemetry range for transmission through a cap, select/develop low power sensor elements, and package the components to survive subsurface conditions. Considerations are being given to minimize package dimensions to permit retrofit applications.
Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-99ID13727
OSTI ID:
910846
Report Number(s):
INEEL/CON-01-00907
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English