Patent ID: 7752904

Claim:
A structure having an integral life-sensing capability, the structure comprising: first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween, the intermediate layer being formed of a material chosen from the group consisting of dielectric, semiconductive, and resistive materials such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element chosen from the group consisting of capacitive and resistive elements, the electrical element being located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources; means for applying an electrical potential to at least one of the first and second conductive layers so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element, the electrical signal being a capacitive, resistive, or inductive signal; means for sensing changes in the electrical signal generated by the electrical element in response to the electrical element physically responding to the transitory and permanent distortions; and means embedded in the structure for transmitting the changes in the electrical signal to a location remote from the structure; wherein the electrical element is configured to sense an imminent fatigue failure, remaining life, and damage to the structure, and is coupled to data processing circuitry adapted to predict when a structural failure of the structure will occur.