Design approach of a large strain sensor based on nanoparticle technology: A highly-integrable sensor for Morphing applications including SHM & shape reconstruction

The work at hand illustrates the design approach adopted for a large strain sensor, based on the carbon nanotube (CNT) technology, devoted to operations of structural health monitoring and shape reconstruction. After a critical discussion on the specifications, the most suited materials and processes were selected, with specific focus on the dispersion and deposition strategies. Then, by means of a FE approach, the topology in terms of CNT volume concentration, morphology (curvature) and orientation, was identified. A feasibility study on the manufacturability was then carried out. Finally, in compliance with the initial specifications, the set of calibration and space qualification tests was illustrated. The above mentioned activities were developed within the Project “Graphene-Polymeric Spray Sensor for Shape Recognition of Super-Deformable Structures”, GRAPSS, sponsored by CIRA within the “Curiosity Driven” initiative.