Transmitter could provide early warning of volcanic eruptions
A team from Newcastle University is researching a radio transmitter that can withstand temperatures of up to 900<sup>o</sup>C. In theory, the device could be dropped into the depths of the earth to provide early warning of a volcanic eruption.
The technology uses silicon carbide electronics that can withstand temperatures equal to the inside of a jet engine.
Measuring subtle changes in the levels of key volcanic gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, the wireless sensor would feed back real time data to the surface, providing information about volcanic activity and any impending eruption.
Because of its unique molecular structure – which is more stable than silicon – silicon carbide also has a high radiation tolerance opening up possibilities for its use in the nuclear industry.
The team says it has developed the necessary components and is now working to integrate them into a device about the size of an iPhone that could be used in a variety of locations such as power plants, aircraft engines and even volcanoes.
The device is one of a number of technologies which have been developed by experts at the university's Centre for Extreme Environment Technology.
Dr Alton Horsfall, who is leading the silicon carbide work alongside Prof Nick Wright, said: "At the moment we have no way of accurately monitoring the situation inside a volcano and in fact most data collection actually goes on post-eruption. With an estimated 500million people living in the shadow of a volcano this is clearly not ideal.
"We still have some way to go but using silicon carbide technology we hope to develop a wireless communication system that could accurately collect and transmit chemical data from the very depths of a volcano."
And the device has other uses. "If someone sets off a bomb on the underground, for example, this will still sit on the wall and tell you what's going on," added Dr Horsfall.
