Strain Sensing in Composites Using Aligned Carbon Nanotube Sheets

This research introduces a novel technique for embedding aligned sheets of two millimeters long, interconnected
CNTs into the interlaminar region of composite structures. The potential of these embedded CNT
sheets to function as damage detecting and strain sensing elements was demonstrated via various
mechanical tests that were accompanied by real time electrical resistance change data acquisition. The
experimental results suggested that the CNT sheet sensitivity could be further enhanced by an oxygen
plasma treatment and also by pre-straining the CNT sheets before embedding them. The samples containing
two CNT sheets layers exhibited long term stability, sensitivity and repeatability which are vital
features for health monitoring. Read the full paper here.