I3Sense

i³Sense Foil sensor integration into natural fibre reinforced composites

In the course of the " i³Sense" project, foil-based micro sensors will be integrated into wood composites. The sensors enable monitoring during the production process as well as in their subsequent application in construction industry. Deviating conditions such as penetrating moisture and mechanical overload can be detected.

Project Description

Timber is a renewable and climate-friendly material. Its production requires far less energy than other construction materials such as concrete. Loadbearing wood composites are increasingly utilized in multi-storey buildings, leading to higher quality and safety requirements. Unforeseen hygrothermal and mechanical stresses require compensation by substantial safety coefficients.

Sensors, embedded in-between material layers, can detect damages and overload conditions in real-time, and thus ensure integrity of the structure with a smaller amount of material.

The influence of sensor bonding to the material should be minimized and imperfections be avoided.

Sensors will be tested on multiple porous carrier materials in cooperation with the competence centre Wood K plus in Austria. The project „Intelligent, integrated and impregnated cellulose based sensors for reliable bio-based structures“ (i³Sense) applies printing technologies on special paper and fabrication of sensors on foils in the IMSAS clean rooms.

Cross sensitivities between material moisture, temperature and strain onto interdigital structuresm must be compensated and used for measurement. Material properties of composite materials should be directly used as sensing elements in the long term, e. g., the conductivity of single fibres. Finally, the suitability of different measurement principles will be compared. Sensors will be integrated in real construction parts in cooperation with industrial partners.

Project partner:

Dr. Arunjunai Raj Mahendran

Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH, Linz, Österreich

www.wood-kplus.at

Contact:

Dr. Ing. Reiner Jedermann

Universität Bremen

IMSAS, NW1, Raum O2130

Tel: +49 (0)421 218 - 62603

E-Mail: contact

The project is funded under the second call of the „Comet Module“ by the Austrian government from 2022 to 2025.

COMET – I3Sense – Intelligent, integrated and impregnated cellulose based sensors for reliable bio-based structures