Description
We are seeking a Research Scientist to join our team in Morgantown, WV to conduct and development of cladding and specialized, high-temperature sensing materials for use on single crystal optical fiber for application in distributed sensing for energy-related applications such as boiler exhaust, heat recovery steam generators, gas turbines, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Expect 20% travel to our Pittsburgh, PA office in South Park.
Sapphire fibers are superior in chemical and temperature resistance (> 1700°C), compared to silica, whose useful temperature range tops out near 500°C-1000°C. Therefore, sapphire optical fiber with cladding will have application to a much greater range of sensing in harsh fossil energy power generation environments. One potential application is multipoint temperature sensing inside a boiler exhaust duct, or on a boiler wall near the burner. Such multipoint temperature sensing would provide much greater detail of temperature distribution to increase efficiency and reduce component damage. Multiple temperature points would provide additional process knowledge for other systems including SOFC, chemical looping combustion, and modular gasification.
High temperature applications such as boilers, fuel cells, and gas turbines can improve their operation through more accurate temperature measurement and in-situ monitoring of relevant gas species. Single-crystal sapphire optical fibers ultimately will exhibit a far greater operational range than silica-based fibers but are very limited in application today due to lack of a durable optical cladding. The cladding is necessary for the light guiding properties of the fiber to be maintained when the fiber is in contact with other materials or is subject to surface contamination.
Various fiber cladding methods for single crystal fibers have been reported in the published literature; however, none have become a commercially available product. Several other candidate cladding materials exist based on high temperature stability and thermodynamic stability in contact with sapphire. Sol-gel processing is a flexible and low-cost coating method for deposition of various candidate oxide cladding and sensing layers for single crystal fiber.
Primary Responsibilities:
Required Education, Experience & Other:
Preferred Qualifications:
Salary Range for this position: $95K to $100K
Original Posting Date:2024-06-06While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:Pay Range $81,250.00 - $146,875.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.