Systems and methods for structural sensing

Abstract

Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network. In some embodiments, a first temperature of the network and/or structural elements can be determined (e.g., via a sensor associated with the electrical circuit). This first temperature can be, in some cases, indicative of a mechanical characteristic of the structural element. In some embodiments, one or more mechanical characteristics of the structural element can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of the first temperature of the structural element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system, comprising:
 a structural element comprising a network of electrically conductive nanostructures;   an electrical circuit comprising at least a portion of the network; and   a sensor constructed and arranged to determine a first temperature of the structural element and/or of the network,   wherein the system is constructed and arranged to pass an electrical current through the electrical circuit.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is constructed and arranged to determine the location and/or size of the mechanical characteristic. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is constructed and arranged to determine the presence or absence of a deformation and/or a fracture. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is constructed and arranged to compare the first temperature to a second temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is constructed and arranged to pass an electrical current through the electrical circuit to resistively heat the structural element. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a thermographic camera and/or a thermocouple is used to determine the first temperature of the structural element. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the structural element comprises a plurality of electrical contacts to which electrical leads can be applied, and through which electrical current can be passed. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the structural element comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 passing an electrical current through at least a portion of a network of electrically conductive nanostructures of a structural element;   determining a first temperature of the structural element using a sensor; and   determining a mechanical characteristic of the structural element and/or of the network based at least in part upon the first temperature of the structural element.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the mechanical characteristic comprises determining the location and/or size of the mechanical characteristic. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the mechanical characteristic comprises determining the presence or absence of a deformation and/or a fracture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising comparing the first temperature to a second temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein passing the electrical current through at least the portion of the network of electrically conductive nanostructures resistively heats the structural element. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the first temperature comprises determining the first temperature using a thermographic camera and/or a thermocouple. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical current is passed from one end of the structural element to another end of the structural element. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the structural element comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 passing an electrical current through at least a portion of a network of electrically conductive nanostructures located within a polymeric material such that the nanostructures are resistively heated; and   determining a first temperature of the polymeric material and/or of the network using a sensor, indicative of the resistive heating, thereby determining a mechanical characteristic of the polymeric material indicative of a mechanical transformation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein determining the mechanical characteristic comprises determining the location and/or size of the mechanical characteristic. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein determining the mechanical characteristic comprises determining the presence or absence of a deformation and/or a fracture. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein determining the first temperature comprises determining the first temperature using a thermographic camera and/or a thermocouple.