{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135967"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135967","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"A New Multifunctional MEMS-Based Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Monitoring Static, Acoustic, and Turbulent Events in Underwater Applications","abstract":"Actively monitoring pressure in fluids is essential in a variety of engineering applications. As industry trends point toward increased exploration and use of deep-sea and ocean environments, it is crucial to design and evaluate supporting pressure instrumentation. Of particular importance are micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) that combine reduced size and cost when compared to other relevant techniques. This work showcases the performance of Nanosonic Inc.'s MEMs-based piezoresistive pressure sensors; specifically, their multifunctional capabilities in monitoring static, acoustic, and turbulent events. Nanosonic sensors were evaluated though extensive water tunnel testing. Two sensors were surface mounted into a NACA 0018 hydrofoil and evaluated under a range of angles of attack (AoAs) and flow speeds. The results highlight the sensors' proficiency in monitoring static flow perturbations, acoustic events, and small-scale pressure fluctuations associated with turbulence. Static flow results were validated against flow visualization to analyze flow separation states. Acoustic events (produced from tonal noise) reveal key behaviors in the frequency domain and possess strong alignment with published literature. The acoustic response addresses the underexplored research area of tonal noise in underwater settings. Lastly, behavior consistient with turbulent decay was reported in high AoA flows, further emphasizing the sensors' multifunctional capabilities. The combined functionality of the Nanosonic sensor within a single sensing element invites the opportunity for use in real-world applications to streamline the performance of various engineering systems.","abstract_html":"Actively monitoring pressure in fluids is essential in a variety of engineering applications. As industry trends point toward increased exploration and use of deep-sea and ocean environments, it is crucial to design and evaluate supporting pressure instrumentation. Of particular importance are micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) that combine reduced size and cost when compared to other relevant techniques. This work showcases the performance of Nanosonic Inc.'s MEMs-based piezoresistive pressure sensors; specifically, their multifunctional capabilities in monitoring static, acoustic, and turbulent events. Nanosonic sensors were evaluated though extensive water tunnel testing. Two sensors were surface mounted into a NACA 0018 hydrofoil and evaluated under a range of angles of attack (AoAs) and flow speeds. The results highlight the sensors' proficiency in monitoring static flow perturbations, acoustic events, and small-scale pressure fluctuations associated with turbulence. Static flow results were validated against flow visualization to analyze flow separation states. Acoustic events (produced from tonal noise) reveal key behaviors in the frequency domain and possess strong alignment with published literature. The acoustic response addresses the underexplored research area of tonal noise in underwater settings. Lastly, behavior consistient with turbulent decay was reported in high AoA flows, further emphasizing the sensors' multifunctional capabilities. 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As industry trends point toward increased exploration and use of deep-sea and ocean environments, it is crucial to design and evaluate supporting pressure instrumentation. Of particular importance are micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) that combine reduced size and cost when compared to other relevant techniques. This work showcases the performance of Nanosonic Inc.'s MEMs-based piezoresistive pressure sensors; specifically, their multifunctional capabilities in monitoring static, acoustic, and turbulent events. Nanosonic sensors were evaluated though extensive water tunnel testing. Two sensors were surface mounted into a NACA 0018 hydrofoil and evaluated under a range of angles of attack (AoAs) and flow speeds. The results highlight the sensors' proficiency in monitoring static flow perturbations, acoustic events, and small-scale pressure fluctuations associated with turbulence. Static flow results were validated against flow visualization to analyze flow separation states. Acoustic events (produced from tonal noise) reveal key behaviors in the frequency domain and possess strong alignment with published literature. The acoustic response addresses the underexplored research area of tonal noise in underwater settings. Lastly, behavior consistient with turbulent decay was reported in high AoA flows, further emphasizing the sensors' multifunctional capabilities. The combined functionality of the Nanosonic sensor within a single sensing element invites the opportunity for use in real-world applications to streamline the performance of various engineering systems."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstractgeneral","label":"General Abstract","values":["Pressure sensors are key pieces of technology used in numerous engineering settings. These sensors are of particular importance as society looks to explore and develop deep-sea and ocean environments. The present work showcases new pressure sensors developed by Nanosonic Inc., that feature a compact size and reduced cost. Specifically, the sensors demonstrated multifunctional capabilities in detecting average pressure changes, acoustic events, and small-scale disturbances in water flows. The sensors were evaluated by mounting them to a hydrofoil (a tear drop shaped object similar to the shape of an airplane wing) and testing in a water tunnel. The average pressure changes detected by the sensors were consistent with performance metrics (lift and drag) and flow visualization images. The acoustic response of the sensors was validated through an extensive comparison with published literature. The acoustic response emphasized a key research gap by reporting foil noise production in underwater settings. Lastly, the small-scale disturbances were quantified though their frequency content. These results support the sensors' ability to monitor small fluctuating pressure changes. Overall, the sensors demonstrated multifunctional capabilities that highlight their potential use in real-world applications."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["A New Multifunctional MEMS-Based Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Monitoring Static, Acoustic, and Turbulent Events in Underwater Applications"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Ng, Wing Fai"],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Huxtable, Scott T.","Paul, Mark R."],"dc:contributor.department":["Mechanical Engineering"],"dc:creator":["Taylor, Jack Giles"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2025-07-12T08:00:16Z"],"dc:date.available":["2025-07-12T08:00:16Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-07-11"],"dc:description.abstract":["Actively monitoring pressure in fluids is essential in a variety of engineering applications. As industry trends point toward increased exploration and use of deep-sea and ocean environments, it is crucial to design and evaluate supporting pressure instrumentation. Of particular importance are micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) that combine reduced size and cost when compared to other relevant techniques. This work showcases the performance of Nanosonic Inc.'s MEMs-based piezoresistive pressure sensors; specifically, their multifunctional capabilities in monitoring static, acoustic, and turbulent events. Nanosonic sensors were evaluated though extensive water tunnel testing. Two sensors were surface mounted into a NACA 0018 hydrofoil and evaluated under a range of angles of attack (AoAs) and flow speeds. The results highlight the sensors' proficiency in monitoring static flow perturbations, acoustic events, and small-scale pressure fluctuations associated with turbulence. Static flow results were validated against flow visualization to analyze flow separation states. Acoustic events (produced from tonal noise) reveal key behaviors in the frequency domain and possess strong alignment with published literature. The acoustic response addresses the underexplored research area of tonal noise in underwater settings. Lastly, behavior consistient with turbulent decay was reported in high AoA flows, further emphasizing the sensors' multifunctional capabilities. The combined functionality of the Nanosonic sensor within a single sensing element invites the opportunity for use in real-world applications to streamline the performance of various engineering systems."],"dc:description.abstractgeneral":["Pressure sensors are key pieces of technology used in numerous engineering settings. These sensors are of particular importance as society looks to explore and develop deep-sea and ocean environments. The present work showcases new pressure sensors developed by Nanosonic Inc., that feature a compact size and reduced cost. Specifically, the sensors demonstrated multifunctional capabilities in detecting average pressure changes, acoustic events, and small-scale disturbances in water flows. The sensors were evaluated by mounting them to a hydrofoil (a tear drop shaped object similar to the shape of an airplane wing) and testing in a water tunnel. The average pressure changes detected by the sensors were consistent with performance metrics (lift and drag) and flow visualization images. The acoustic response of the sensors was validated through an extensive comparison with published literature. The acoustic response emphasized a key research gap by reporting foil noise production in underwater settings. Lastly, the small-scale disturbances were quantified though their frequency content. These results support the sensors' ability to monitor small fluctuating pressure changes. Overall, the sensors demonstrated multifunctional capabilities that highlight their potential use in real-world applications."],"dc:description.degree":["Master of Science"],"dc:format.medium":["ETD"],"dc:identifier.other":["vt_gsexam:44412"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135967"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:publisher":["Virginia Tech"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright"],"dc:rights.uri":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dc:subject":["tonal noise","turbulent decay","MEMS","multifunctional pressure sensor"],"dc:title":["A New Multifunctional MEMS-Based Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Monitoring Static, Acoustic, and Turbulent Events in Underwater Applications"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Mechanical Engineering"],"thesis:degree_level":["masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"],"thesis:institution_name":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:18:46Z"}