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Overview

Lead Time

12-16 Weeks

Temperature Range

0 to 50ºC

Full System Consists of:

Sensor, Control Unit, 7-Pin LEMO Cable

Related Products

DirectShear-Optical System

High-bandwidth shear stress sensors designed from the ground up for harsh environments, including high-temperature applications.

The sensors employ purely optical transduction, a silicon/Pyrex micromachined floating element, and a remote optical fiber readout to enable time-resolved one-dimensional, direct shear stress measurements at high temperatures.

DirectShear®-Optical sensors are capable of both mean and dynamic measurements of wall shear stress over a wide dynamic range and are offered in a range of sensor models to suit different applications.

The optical sensors are ideal for precision skin friction measurements in high-speed, high-temperature (0-400°C) test facilities. Click here to see how NASA is utilizing these sensors.

A complete DirectShear system includes sensor, cable, and control unit and operates as a paired set tuned together during the calibration process. Components can be ordered individually – however, each sensor requires a dedicated control unit.

Our team is here to assist with any questions – please reach out at sales@thinkic2.com, call us at 352-283-8110, or click here to schedule a Teams meeting.

From: $8,249

SKU: DirectShear-Optical-SystemCategories: Sensor Systems, Wall Shear Stress SensorsTags: SystemBrand: IC2

Designed from the ground up for harsh environments, including high-temperature applications.

DirectShear‑Optical sensors are compact, non‑intrusive MEMS wall shear stress sensors designed for direct, real‑time measurement in harsh and high‑temperature environments. Using differential optical transduction of a floating‑element structure, the sensor provides high sensitivity while rejecting pressure and electromagnetic interference. A folded‑tether suspension improves linearity and thermal robustness, enabling continuous operation up to 400 °C. The sensor delivers accurate measurement of both mean and fluctuating wall shear stress with high stability and a wide dynamic range, making it well suited for demanding aerodynamic and fluid‑mechanics research applications.

  • Direct measurement of shear stress
  • Harsh environment capable
  • Non-intrusive – minimal flow disturbance
  • High resolution, dynamic range and bandwidth
  • Immune to EMI

For typical applications, please see our DirectShear product line.

For vector measurements, please see our DirectShear-2D product line.

Click here to learn more about the Complete Shear Stress Measurement System that leverages additional PXI hardware to create a full measurement solution.

  • Optical micromachined floating element sensor for time-resolved, one-dimensional, direct shear stress measurements in harsh environments
  • Optical gratings for direct transduction of shear stress with remote optical fiber readout
  • Silicon/Pyrex sensor structure for high-temperature environments (up to 400°C continuous)
  • Optimized Control Unit for high dynamic range and bandwidth
  • Suite of sensor models for different applications
  • Mean and fluctuating optical wall shear stress measurements
  • Selectable low-noise AC or rechargeable Li-ion battery power source
  • High dynamic range and bandwidth
  • System status and battery voltage LED indicators
  • Rugged, industrial LC Duplex fiber connection
  • Removable shielded sensor cable
  • Time-resolved, direct mean and fluctuating wall shear stress measurements
  • Differential optical shear stress sensors for subsonic and transonic applications
  • Instrumentation-grade skin friction sensing in high temperatures and harsh environments
  • Aerodynamic drag research
  • Detection of flow separation
  • High-speed wind tunnel testing

A Control Unit is required for each sensor and provides a modulation signal to the sensor and outputs analog voltage over BNC. This modulation signal enables the simultaneous measurement of both the mean and fluctuating wall shear stress. Each sensor is specifically paired and tuned to its control unit. These pairings are documented in the calibration sheet provided with each sensor.

The following additional components and specifications are recommended for AC and DC testing/calibration with the optical sensor control unit:

  • RG58 coaxial cable with BNC connectors
  • Data acquisition system (DAQ) – AC/DC measurement
    • Sensing Range: ±1, ±5, ±10V – sensor dependent (see datasheet)
    • Resolution: 18+ bits
    • Sampling frequency: sensor dependent – adequate sample rate and anti-alias filter to support sensor bandwidth
  • Digital multimeter – DC measurement only
    • 6.5 digits with power line cycle (PLC) integration
    • DAQ or PC connection (e.g., GPIB)

Click here to learn more about the Complete Shear Stress Measurement System that leverages additional PXI hardware to create a full measurement solution.

ModelShear Stress (Pa)Bandwidth (kHz)Sensitivity (mV/Pa)Resolution (mPa)Element Size
0022-A-01501.8400.51mm x 0.7mm
0022-F-011002.52011mm x 1mm
0022-B-013005520.4mm x 0.4mm
0022-C-011000101.3500.3mm x 0.3mm
0022-D-015000200.3500.3mm x 0.3mm
  • Length – 40 mm (1.57″)
  • Diameter – 6.30 mm (0.25″)
  • Sensor Flushness – <25 um (<0.001″)
  • Operating Temperature Range – 0°C – 400°C
  • Non-intrusive — backside contacts for minimal flow disturbance
  • Multiple sensor head form factors, materials and finishes available to meet installation requirements.
  • Custom housings/materials available
  • Suite of 5 sensor models available for different applications (see Specifications table)
directshear-optical-dimensions