Dr. Jack Skinner, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Montana Tech, was granted a United States Patent entitled "Passive hybrid sensing tag with flexible substrate SAW device," US 8339219 B1. This patent covers the use of microelectronic surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices coupled with other sensor elements on a flexible polymer structure to provide sensing of nearly any physical parameter. These sensor tags are postage stamp size or smaller and have a near infinite shelf life. Power is provided remotely, so no batteries need to be replaced or charged. Applications for such devices include spontaneous battlefield sensor grids, continuous bridge integrity surveying, and automobile tire pressure monitoring.