Sensors: Carbon Nanotube-Based Wireless Sensors for Strain and Corrosion Monitoring of Structures

Jerome Lynch Nicholas Kotov密歇根大学安娜堡分校该项目旨在进一步简化结构传感器的尺寸并降低成本，同时提高性能。 应变和腐蚀传感器的设计使用一种新的纳米复合材料组成的单壁碳纳米管（SWNT）和聚乙烯（PE）分子。 SWNT-SiO2薄膜的自然压阻特性使其成为应变传感的理想选择。 SWNT-PE应变传感器与传统的金属箔应变片相比，具有良好的线性度和长期稳定性。 该项目还将探索SWNT-PE薄膜用于腐蚀传感的用途。 随着单壁碳纳米管和碳纳米管分子的表面被化学改性以提供反应性表面，氯离子和其他腐蚀性元素的结合将引起膜体电导率的变化。 这种薄膜将提供水泥结构元件内腐蚀性元素浓度的可靠测量。 薄膜传感器将被图案化为感应元件，可以通过电磁耦合无线读取。 这项工作将产生深远的广泛影响，包括：传感器技术快速转移到工业实践中，将研究成果与当前课程相结合，以及通过与科学与工程女性（WISE）和底特律地区大学预科工程计划（DAPCEP）计划的互动招募代表性不足的学生。 这是一个由FY 05传感器倡议NSF 05-526支持的项目。

Abstract0528867Jerome Lynch & Nicholas KotovUniv Michigan, Ann ArborThis project seeks to further miniaturize the sizes and reduce the costs of structural sensors while simultaneously increasing performance. Strain and corrosion sensors are designed using a new nano-composite comprised of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and polyelectrolyte (PE) molecules. The natural piezoresistive properties of SWNT-polyelectrolyte thin films render them ideal for strain sensing. SWNT-PE strain sensors would be characterized by excellent linearity and long-term stability as compared to traditional metal foil gauges. This project will also explore the use of SWNT-PE thin films for corrosion sensing. With the surfaces of SWNT and polyelectrolyte molecules chemically modified to provide reactive surfaces, the binding of chloride ions and other corrosive elements will induce changes in the film bulk conductivity. Such thin films would offer reliable measures of the concentration of corrosive elements within cementitious structural elements. The thin film sensors will be patterned as inductive elements that can be read wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling. This work stands to have far reaching broad impacts including: rapid transfer of sensor technology into industrial practice, integration of research findings with current curricula, and recruitment of underrepresented students through interaction with the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) programs. This is a project supported under FY05 Sensors Initiative NSF 05-526.