Carbon Nanotubes Grown on Glass Fiber as a Strain Sensor for Real Time Structural Health Monitoring

Abstract

In order to more effectively monitor the health of composite structures, a fuzzy fiber sensor has been developed. The fuzzy fiber is a bundle of glass fibers with carbon nanotubes or nanofibers (CNTs or CNFs) grown on the surface. The nanotube coating makes the fiber bundle conductive while the small conductive path increases sensitivity. The fuzzy fiber sensor can replace conventional metal foil strain gauges in composite applications. The electrical response of the sensor is monitored in real time to measure strain, vibration, cracking and delamination. Continuous monitoring provides instant notification of any problems. Implementation of this sensor network in a composite can increase service life, decrease maintenance costs and greatly reduce inspection downtime.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA584230

Entities

People

  • A. Lagounov
  • K. Lafdi
  • Liying Li
  • M. Boehle
  • Qingfang Jiang

Organizations

  • University of Dayton Research Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carbon Nanotubes
  • Chemical Vapor Deposition
  • Composite Materials
  • Composite Structures
  • Detectors
  • Fibers
  • Fullerenes
  • Gages
  • Glass Fibers
  • High Density
  • Low Density
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Monitoring
  • Strain Gages
  • Structural Health Monitoring

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology