ERI: Self-Recognizing Composite Structural Elements (SR-CSEs): Multifunctional, Sustainable and Reliable

该工程研究启动奖(ERI)支持研究，主要目标是探索一种首创的、集成的、可持续的和多功能的民用基础设施系统，该系统具有优化机械性能、响应环境刺激、为自身提供动力并自我监控其状况的能力。提出了自识别复合结构单元(SR-CSE)的新概念，为具有优化的结构性能、极端环境耐受性、内在传感和能量收集功能的下一代民用基础设施系统奠定了基础。该研究项目旨在直接开发智能基础设施系统。SR-CSES概念将复合材料结构元件转变为传感介质和能量收集器。它们不仅可以提供所需的结构性能，还可以从外部载荷中获取能量，并进行持续的健康状况监测。应用已开发的技术来解决传统基础设施行业遇到的最紧迫的问题，将降低成本，提高基础设施的寿命，这反过来将促进我们国家的经济、安全和竞争力。此外，该研究项目结合了土木工程、材料工程、电气工程和先进制造的专业知识，为来自不同背景的研究生和本科生提供了宝贵的培训机会。研究人员还将积极参与NMSU的外联计划，以扩大外联范围，并招募有才华的K-12学生参与该计划。该项目的具体目标是将纤维增强聚合物(FRP)复合材料结构构件转化为SR-CSE。研究目标将通过以下工作来实现：(I)利用新颖的创成式人工智能技术，探索选定的FRP复合材料结构构件的最佳材料设计和结构性能。(2)研究如何将传感和能量采集功能整合到玻璃钢复合材料结构构件中以形成SR-CSE的新范例。(Iii)通过进行数值、理论和实验研究，了解和量化结构元件设计、外部载荷和开发的SR-CSE产生的输出之间的关系。(4)使用高保真数值模拟和中小型实验室测试来评估SR-CSES原型的可行性和可扩展性。该项目的成功完成有望通过率先开发一类新的综合和多功能基础设施要素来产生变革性的影响。这些要素将成为智能和可持续基础设施系统发展的基础。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) award supports research with the primary goal of exploring a first-of-its-kind, integrated, sustainable, and multifunctional civil infrastructure system that has optimized mechanical properties, responds to environmental stimuli, powers itself, and self-monitors its condition. The novel concept of self-recognizing composite structural elements (SR-CSEs) is developed to build the foundation for the next generation of civil infrastructure systems with optimized structural performance, extreme environmental tolerance, intrinsic sensing, and energy harvesting functionalities. The research project intends to directly develop a smart infrastructure system. The SR-CSEs concept transforms the composite structural elements into sensing mediums and energy harvesters. They can not only provide the required structural performance but also harvest energy from external loadings and conduct continuous health condition monitoring. Applying the developed technology to address the most pressing problems that the traditional infrastructure industry has encountered will lead to reduced cost and enhanced infrastructure life , which in turn will boost our nation’s economy, security, and competitiveness. In addition, this research program combines the expertise of civil engineering, materials engineering, electrical engineering, and advanced manufacturing, providing valuable training opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. The researchers will also actively engage with NMSU outreach programs to extend outreach and recruit talented K-12 students to participate in the program. The specific goal of this project is to transform fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structural elements into SR-CSEs. The research goal will be pursued through the following tasks: (i) Explore optimal material designs and structural performance for selected FRP composite structural elements by using novel generative artificial intelligence techniques. (ii) Examine new paradigms of how sensing and energy harvesting functionalities can be integrated into FRP composite structural elements to form SR-CSEs. (iii) Understand and quantify the relationships among the structural element designs, external loading, and the generated output of the developed SR-CSEs by conducting numerical, theoretical, and experimental studies. (iv) Evaluate the feasibility and scalability of SR-CSEs prototypes using high-fidelity numerical simulation, and small-scale and mid-scale laboratory tests. The successful completion of this project holds the promise of transformative impact by pioneering the development of a novel category of integrated and multifunctional infrastructural elements. These elements are poised to serve as the foundation for the advancement of intelligent and sustainable infrastructure systems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.