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AbstractA German university institute has developed a FRET-based (Fluorescence resonance energy transfer) sensor-technology offering exact measuring of dynamic pressure loads. This innovative development works independent of temperature in any gas or fluid phase with customisable pressure sensitivity and is applicable in designing energy-efficient automobiles and airplanes. The institute is looking for licensing and/or industrial partners to mature the new technology.DetailsUp to now higher spatial resolution of pressure differentials is possible via Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP). However, due to the indirect measurement of oxygen partial pressures, PSP does not measure dynamic/shear flows. The innovative FRET-based technology developed by a German university institute offers an outstanding performance for designing energy-efficient automobiles and airplanes, compared to the conventionally used PSP technology. The measurement of dynamic pressure loads is enabled through two chromophores being linked by a tunable DNA-spacer, whose pressure dependent deflection directly leads to a correlating change in the FRET signal.Performance: The simple preparation of FRET sensors does not require prior purification and can easily be prepared on any surface such as glass or foil. These surfaces can be easily removed without harming the model and reused in subsequent testíng. They can be synthesized with high specificity without further purification. Signal and signal change can be measured by conventional digital cameras. The accurate measurement is possible through the strong dependence on pressure angles. The spectroscopic properties of the sensor are chosen to fit the colour channels of common CCD- cameras. Turbulence detection was observed and showed that the sensor is capable of monitoring dynamic pressures at surfaces. The easy adjustment of working range offered without the need of a fundamental re-design of the basic structure, shows a gread advantage over PSP. By using functionalized DNA strands as a linker and attaching other DNA strands, the sensor can easily be modified and adapted to distinct requirements. Technology outlook: Future combination of PSP and this new sensor design will allow for discrimination of static and dynamic pressures in one single measurement. Innovative Aspects: Dynamic pressure load (shear flow) is directly and instantaneously measurable in any gaseous or fluidic environment offering a high specificity. Further advantages over PSP: - Simple Preparation of FRET sensors - Accurate Measurement - Turbulence Detection - Easy adjustment of Working Range
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