Patent ID: 7194912
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: B82Y,G01M

Abstract:
1. A sensor for detecting changes experienced by a structure, comprising: a substrate adapted to be coupled to a portion of a structure; a plurality of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based conductors operatively positioned on said substrate and arranged side-by-side to one another; at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes coupled to opposing ends of said plurality of CNT-based conductors with said plurality of CNT-based conductors electrically coupling each pair of said spaced-apart electrodes to one another; a CNT attraction material deposited on said substrate, bonded to said plurality of CNT-based conductors, and spanning between said at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes; and a portion of each of said plurality of CNT-based conductors spanning between said at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged end-to-end and substantially aligned along an axis, wherein upon said substrate being coupled to the portion of the structure, changes experienced by the portion of the structure induce a change in electrical properties of said plurality of CNT-based conductors.