- Technical Innovation
A spray‑applied advanced material coating embedded with percolating networks of carbon nanofibers that renders the surface electrically conductive, enabling impedance‑based sensing of strain and damage.
- Research Approach
- Composite Ink Development: Disperse carbon nanofibers (0.5–2 wt %) and conductive carbon black in a low‑viscosity geopolymer slurry tuned for sprayability.
- Application & Curing: Use air‑spray or robotic spray gun to deposit thin (~1 mm) coatings onto concrete or metal substrates; cure at ambient conditions.
- Electro‑Mechanical Testing: Map baseline electrical resistance; apply mechanical load and monitor resistance changes to calibrate sensitivity; validate long‑term stability under cyclic loading and environmental exposure.
- Research Approach
