Patent ID: 8072711
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B82Y,G01N,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
1. A corrosion and chemical thin film sensor, comprising: a chemically exposed metal sensing portion sensitive to chemical exposure, in proximity to a component of a metallic structure or an electronic device sensitive to a corresponding chemical exposure; a spin-valve comprising a giant magnetoresistive effect structure having a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, the first and second magnetic layers being separated by a thin non-magnetic layer, wherein said chemically exposed metal sensing portion is at least one of the first and second magnetic layers; a metallic magnetic or nonmagnetic buffer layer configured to induce nanotextured growth of the spin-valve, wherein the spin-valve is positioned on the buffer layer; an integrated circuit attached to part of the spin-valve for determining a response of the exposed metal sensing portion to the chemical exposure; and an output presenting a signal corresponding to the chemical exposure.