NAFC Acoustic Emission Sensors for Real-time Monitoring of Structures

拟议研究的目标是应用创新的纳米技术来创建用于实时监测结构的声发射（AE）传感器。所提出的AE传感器是由纳米活性纤维复合材料（NAFC）和该项目涉及的压电锆钛酸铅（PZT）纳米纤维组成的传感器的设计，制造和表征。 这项工作将导致先进的声发射传感器具有高灵敏度，良好的适应性和适用于嵌入或附着在结构的表面。这些传感器是非常具有成本效益的生产和自我供电，因此可以方便地应用于土木工程结构，如桥梁，大坝，塔，道路等网络的NAFC传感器的实时监测可用于检测缺陷，如裂纹的结构元件以及分层和剥离在各种复合材料和夹层组件。此外，该项目还旨在开发和部署与纳米技术相关的教育材料，并有助于激励k-12学生和来自代表性不足群体的学生追求STEM职业。通过这个项目，学生将有机会在一个令人兴奋的研究领域参与一个刺激的多学科环境，更多的学生将受益于在此过程中记录的网络技术支持的教育模块

The objective of the proposed research is to apply innovative nanotechnologies for creating acoustic emission (AE) sensors for real-time monitoring of structures. The proposed AE sensors are composed of Nanoscale Active Fiber Composites (NAFCs) and the project involves the design, manufacturing and characterization of the sensors consisting of piezoelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) nanofibers. This work will result in advanced acoustic emission sensors with high sensitivity, excellent conformability and suitability for being imbedded into or attached on the surface of structures. These sensors are very cost effective to produce and self-powered and can thus be conveniently applied for real-time monitoring of civil engineering structures such as bridges, dams, towers, roads, etc. Networks of NAFC sensors could be used to detect defects such as cracks in structural elements as well as delamination and debonding in various composite and sandwich components. In addition, this project also aims to develop and deploy nanotechnology-related educational materials and contribute to motivating k-12 students and students from underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers. Through this project, the students will have the opportunity to participate in a stimulating multi-disciplinary environment in an exciting research field, more students will benefit from cybertechnology-enabled education modules documented during the process