NC State builds self-healing structural stress sensor, moves directly to other alliterative projects

“Sensor, heal thyself,” goes an old saying, and North Carolina State University researchers have given it a brand new spin. Structural stress monitors can break during, say, an earthquake or explosion: just after you most need information regarding a building’s integrity. So the NCSU crew added a reservoir of ultraviolet-curable resin; if their sensor cracks, the resin flows into the distance, where a UV light hardens it. An infrared light, which does the particular monitoring, then has a whole circuit in which to pass, and voila: stress data flows over again, aiding decision-makers. Obviously we never tire of UV-reactive gadgetry , especially for making safer buildings, and we’re doubly glad to work out self-healing that does not involve the phrase “he’s just not that into you.” To determine the self-repair in action, check the image after the break, and hit the source link for more information.