| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/F03850X/1 |
| Title: |
Feasibility Study: Magnetic microwire as an alternative to optical fibres for self-monitoring composites |
| Principal Investigator: |
Peng, Professor H |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Aerospace Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Bristol |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
04 August 2008 |
Ends: |
03 August 2009 |
Value (£): |
80,661
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Processing |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The field of fibre reinforced polymer composites has grown rapidly such that over 20 million tons are now produced every year for a variety of aerospace and other applications. In aircraft and motor sport, fibre composites are being used extensively to reduce weight, improve fuel economy and performance. However, in-service damage to such composites can be difficult to detect and the need for regular inspection is both time consuming and expensive. As a result future composite structures will have integrated sensor arrays to provide intelligence of potential damage to the structure. The majority of work to date has been focused on embedding optical fibres within a material or structure for this purpose owing to their relatively small dimensions and uniform cross-section. In recent years, this technology has sufficiently matured to find true commercial application such as component testing, design validation and structural health monitoring. The new markets opening for this technology are ranging from military jets and space vehicles to bridges and tunnels.However, there exists a diameter mismatch between the reinforcing fibres and the optical fibres and this could significantly reduce the properties of the composite (e.g. the strength of the material) as well as the accuracy of detecting systems. A typical example of this is the influence of the embedded sensor system on the long-term integrity of a composite structure, where a detrimental effect has been found for the case when a compressive element is introduced into the load spectrum. In addition, the determination for the data receiving from such sensors may not be straightforward because the output can be considerably influenced by a multitude of parameters such as axial, radial and lateral strains, temperature, thermal expansion of the structure, humidity, contamination of the sensing surfaces, etc. These emerging issues must be addressed and further research is needed. In this context, it is of particular interest to develop new techniques that can offer alternatives to optical fibres, we are convinced that the recently developed magnetic microwires hold great promises.The proposed study aims to integrate the recently developed metallic magnetic microwires with giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) and giant stress-impedance (GSI) effects into fibre reinforced polymer composite as means of sensing stress and magnetic field through changes in impedance. This potentially offers an alternative to optical fibres for self-monitoring composites. Apart from the sensing characteristics, the relatively high strength of metallic microwires and the little diameter mismatch are expected to contribute to the structural integrity of the composites. Therefore this research will open up new opportunities to develop smart structural composites with self-monitoring properties for a wide range of engineering and industrial applications.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bris.ac.uk |