Paramata technology could be used to monitor the structural health of planes
Engineered composite materials are used in everything from aeroplane wings to bridges and buildings. We rely on their strength and robustness, yet these materials can develop invisible faults when they are put under great stresses, or just through age.
Paramata develops novel Innovative Intrinsic Sensing (IIS) TM techniques to monitor the structural integrity of such engineered composite materials in airplane wings, bridges, wind turbines and many other applications. These materials can be embedded with nanoparticles that emit electromagnetic signals when they are put under unusual strains or stresses – for example if a fault develops in the surrounding material. These signals can monitored and analysed giving a real time picture of the structural health of the material. In this way airplanes, bridges, even buildings can be cheaply and regularly checked for stresses and weak points without having to the ‘dissect’ the object to investigate.
Paramata's intrinsic technology should be ready for field testing in 2011.
Founded: 2007
Partner University: University of Cambridge, England