Nanoscale Sensors for Structural Health

This project will investigate self-powered, very large-area wireless sensors for the real-time monitoring of potentially dangerous cracks in steel bridges. The sensing elements are made by inkjet printing nanoparticles onto flexible organic substrates. Carbon nanotube-based materials will be explored for scavenging solar and vibrational energy to power the sensor nodes. Multiscale wireless communication approaches are proposed for convenient access to the sensor data over the Internet.

Goals 

The key project objectives are:

(1) Strain and crack monitoring using a single wireless nanosensor. Testing must detect a 1-mm crack and a strain measurement of 10,000 µe with a resolution of 10 µe.

(2) Strain and crack monitoring using wireless nanosensor arrays. Must maintain same measurement criteria for a single nanosensor on an array up to 100 sensors while being read from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) 15 m away.

(3) Carbon nanotube-based energy harvesting for the wireless nanosensors. The sensor array must be capable of providing measurement at any time of day.

(4) Testing specimens with more complex geometries. Must achieve same success criteria as shown for simple specimens.

(5) Field Validation. Minimum continuous operation time in the field of three months.