Flexoelectric Strain Gradient Sensors- a New Sensing Technology for In-situ Structure Health Monitoring

[1068345]江晓宁，北卡罗莱纳州立大学，本研究的目的是研究一种基于柔性电（FE）概念的传感技术，该技术能够以高灵敏度捕获应变梯度信息。该项目旨在设计和开发一种新型应变梯度传感器（SGS），该传感器可以在早期阶段检测损伤，并对损伤的发生和发展进行现场监测。这种fe微结构传感器能够实现应变梯度的超灵敏检测，在局部损伤位置附近最灵敏。受有限元结构和微加工的最新进展的激励，提出的努力将首次设计，制造和表征用于应变梯度传感的柔性电微结构。本课题主要包括三个主要任务：有限元微结构的制备、有限元微结构的材料裁剪与表征、SGS器件的设计与原型。该研究将为高应变梯度灵敏度、低信噪比和宽带宽的新型应变梯度传感器奠定基础。这项工作将大大推进结构损伤传感技术领域的科学和工程知识，并大大提高国家基础设施系统的早期损伤检测和原位健康监测能力。制定了涉及妇女和少数民族学生的相应教育和推广方案，并将其与计划的研究方案相结合。计划通过测试计划开发与NASA中心和波音公司的合作将促进学术研究与工业参与的整合。

Abstract1068345Xiaoning JiangNorth Carolina State UniversityThe objective of this research is to research a sensing technology based on a flexoelectricity (FE) concept, capable of capturing strain gradient information with great sensitivity. This project is to design and develop a new class of strain gradient sensor (SGS) that can detect damage at a very early stage and in-situ monitor the damage initiation and progression. This FE-microstructure sensor enables ultra-sensitive sensing of strain gradient which is most sensitive measurand near the localized damage location. Motivated by recent progress on FE structure and microfabrication the proposed efforts will, for the first time, design, fabricate, and characterize the flexoelectric microstructures for strain gradient sensing. The research to be undertaken consists of three major tasks including fabrication of FE microstructures, material tailoring and characterization of FE microstructures, design and prototype SGS devices. This study will lay the groundwork for a new class of strain gradient sensor (SGS) with high strain gradient sensitivity, low signal to noise ratio and broad bandwidth. The proposed work will significantly advance scientific and engineering knowledge in the area of structure damage sensing technology and greatly enhance the capability of early damage detection and in-situ health monitoring of nation's infrastructure systems. A corresponding education and outreach program involving women and minority students is developed and integrated with the planned research program. The planned collaboration with NASA centers and Boeing through test plan development will promote the integration of academic research with industrial participation.