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

该工程研究启动（ERI）奖支持研究的主要目标是探索一个首创的，综合的，可持续的和多功能的民用基础设施系统，该系统具有优化的机械性能，对环境刺激作出反应，自我供电，并自我监测其状况。自识别复合结构元件（SR-CSE）的新概念旨在为下一代民用基础设施系统奠定基础，该系统具有优化的结构性能，极端环境耐受性，固有传感和能量收集功能。该研究项目旨在直接开发智能基础设施系统。SR-CSEs概念将复合结构元件转换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。应用先进的技术来解决传统基础设施行业遇到的最紧迫的问题，将导致降低成本和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，该研究计划结合了土木工程，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的外展计划，以扩大外展范围，并招募有才华的K-12学生参加该计划。该项目的具体目标是将纤维增强聚合物（FRP）复合材料结构元件转化为SR-CSE。研究目的将透过以下工作子索：（i）利用新的人工智能技术，为选定的玻璃钢复合材料结构元件探索最佳的材料设计和结构性能。(ii)研究传感和能量收集功能如何集成到FRP复合材料结构元件中以形成SR-CSE的新范例。(iii)通过进行数值、理论和实验研究，了解并量化结构元件设计、外部载荷和开发的SR-CSE生成的输出之间的关系。(iv)使用高保真数值模拟以及小规模和中等规模实验室测试评估SR-CSE原型的可行性和可扩展性。该项目的成功完成有望通过开创一种新型的综合和多功能基础设施要素的发展而产生变革性影响。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.