Structural Nervous System

GTL?s SNS technology aids in the operation of new or existing structural health monitoring (SHM) systems by integrating data and power pathways into the structure. The use of this technology within a composite structure would allow engineers to place sensors from an SHM system directly where they are needed on a structure with instant power. GTL?s SNS technology offers the potential for developers to have substantial gains in vehicle performance as well. Embedding power and data transmission within the structure reduces the mass of the system by eliminating the need for wires as well the additional vehicle mass required to contain them. In the proposed effort GTL will perform a series of feasibility studies to assess and optimize the SNS technology. This work will result in the development of the SNS architecture to be employed in the Phase II effort. In this effort, GTL will perform several design iterations of the SNS technology and develop test panels for testing. At the end of the Phase II effort, GTL will deliver an SNS test panel to NASA for evaluation.