Novel Low-Cost Miniaturized Structural Health Monitoring Circuit
RFT-195
A unique, low-cost, miniaturized, and highly-effective structural health monitoring (SHM) circuit that monitors a structure's integrity. The invention consists of a piezoelectric patch that is based on the idea of an electronic "bridge" circuit, which can be used to measure the electrical impedance in a material, which is that material's inherent oppostion to the flow of alternating current. The sensor detects changes in electrical impedance caused by slight deformations in a structure, based on the fact that the electrical impedance of a material is strongly coupled to the material's mechanical impedance. This low-cost circuit, which has the potential of significantly reducing traditional monitoring time and costs, can be placed in a package roughly the size of a dime.
Downloads
File: rft-195.pdf
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Jonathan L. Tolstedt
Licensing Associate/Patent Agent
NDSU Research Foundation
1735 NDSU Research Park Drive, Suite 124
Fargo, North Dakota 58105-5002
(701) 231-8173 Work
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www.ndsuresearchfoundation.org