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

1068345小宁江北州立大学这项研究的目标是研究一种基于挠性电(FE)概念的传感技术，能够以极高的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的应变梯度传感器(SGS)，能够在非常早期的阶段检测损伤，并在线监测损伤的开始和发展。这种FE-微结构传感器能够超灵敏地检测局部损伤位置附近的应变梯度，这是最敏感的测量结果。在有限元结构和微细加工的最新进展的推动下，拟议的工作将首次设计、制造和表征用于应变梯度传感的挠性电微结构。这项研究包括三个主要任务：有限元微结构的制作、材料的剪裁和表征、SGS器件的设计和样机。这一研究将为新型高应变梯度灵敏度、低信噪比、宽频带的应变梯度传感器(SGS)奠定基础。拟议的工作将极大地促进结构损伤传感技术领域的科学和工程知识，并极大地提高国家基础设施系统的早期损伤检测和现场健康监测的能力。制定了涉及妇女和少数族裔学生的相应教育和宣传方案，并将其与计划中的研究方案结合起来。计划中的与NASA中心和波音公司通过测试计划开发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.