Development of textile pressure sensors network for monitoring solar-powered aircraft structure

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Despite advanced technologies, delivering critical supplies to remote areas is still a challenge due to the absence of roads and landing strips. Solar-powered aircrafts have already proven to be a pertinent solution since they do not require fuel and have the capacity to land on very restrictive areas. However the distance which can be covered by these aircrafts is still limited due to the weight they must carry. This is the reason why Solarship wants to monitor the aircraft structure in order to alleviate certain area while keeping the reinforcement where they are needed. To do so, textile pressure sensors will be embedded within the laminated textile cover of the plane. Thanks to this level of integration, the addition of the pressure sensors will not impact the measurement made and will allow the airplane to stay balanced while flying under operating conditions. This project will be the result of a new alliance between CTT Group, Cégep de St-Hyacinthe and Solarship since they will be working together for the first time. Canada's expertise and presence would be strengthened in smart textiles but also in the growing field of solar-powered aircrafts which are becoming of great interest as a new mode of transportation.