Bio-Inspired Sensor Skins for Structural Health Monitoring

This paper presents the simulation and experimental work that proved the feasibility of using a patch antenna for strain measurement. A patch antenna, usually serves as a data-transmitting device, can also function as a transducer that directly encodes the experienced strain into its resonant frequency. Printed on a flexible substrate, the antenna sensor is small in size, has a low profile, and can be conformal to any attached surface. Future work on interrogating the antenna sensor using a wireless noncontact method is also discussed. Without needing electric wiring for power supply and data transmitting, the antenna sensor has a great potential for the realization of engineered sensor skins that imitate the sensor of pain for structural health monitoring purpose.