Thin Film Shape Sensing and Visualization

The sensor development in Phase II will build on the successful strain sensor array demonstration of Phase I to develop an autonomous operational and wireless sensor suite capability. The objective is to demonstrate that a low cost noninvasive sensor suitecan be developed with a wide range of application including embedded wireless communication conformal load bearing antenna structures and adaptive wing designs.The primary goal of in Phase II work will be to demonstrate thin film electronics as a new technology to fabricate many devices (sensors, actuators, antennas etc.) that can evolve into autonomous fully integrated multifunctional capability. The Phase IIfocus is demonstrate this new capability to hardware level that represents a non-invasive method of embedding desired functional capabilities in both metallic and composite aircraft vehicles and space structures.A part of this effort is to design a thin film wireless antenna system that will relay information gathered from a network of thin film sensors strategically placed on the wing of an aircraft to a central onboard location for processing. Embedded schemeswill be considered for both the sensor array technology and the supporting wireless antenna technology allowing them to be easily integrated together as a system.