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New Sensing and Radar Absorbing Laminate Combining Structural Damage Detection and Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Federico Cozzolino1,2, Fabrizio Marra1,2, Marco Fortunato1,2
1Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 11, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel smart material panel that integrates electromagnetic interference shielding and impact monitoring for vehicles. This innovative graphene-based composite enhances safety and reliability in smart mobility applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Smart Mobility Engineering
- Aerospace and Automotive Engineering
Background:
- Lightweight vehicles require materials resilient to structural failure and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
- Integrating structural health monitoring and electromagnetic shielding into polymer composites presents a significant challenge.
- Smart mobility demands enhanced safety, sustainability, and reliability in aeronautical and automotive sectors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an innovative multi-layered thin panel system for combined EMI suppression and impact monitoring.
- To develop a functional material integrating nanostructured coatings for advanced vehicle applications.
- To address the challenge of combining sensing and electromagnetic absorption capabilities in a single composite laminate.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Sensing and EM-absorbing Laminate (SEAL) using polyurethane paint with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs).
- Creation of a piezoresistive grid with 4.5 wt.% GNPs and an EM-absorbing layer with 8 wt.% GNPs.
- Evaluation of strain sensor responses via quasi-static mechanical bending tests and EM absorption via free-space and waveguide measurements (X, Ku, K, Ka bands).
- Validation of experimental results through numerical simulations.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of a multi-functional panel capable of both low-energy impact detection and effective electromagnetic interference suppression.
- Tailored electrical conductivity and electromagnetic absorption properties achieved by varying GNP concentrations.
- Successful characterization of mechanical sensing and radio frequency absorption capabilities across multiple frequency bands.
- Confirmation of experimental findings through validated numerical simulations.
Conclusions:
- The developed SEAL system offers a promising solution for integrating structural health monitoring and electromagnetic shielding in lightweight vehicles.
- This innovative material contributes to improved safety, sustainability, and reliability in smart mobility.
- The study validates the potential of nanostructured graphene-polymer composites for advanced functional applications in aerospace and automotive industries.
