Patent ID: 8387469

Claim:
A method for monitoring the structural health of a structure, comprising: providing a structure comprising a material comprising a plurality of triboluminescent sensors and a plurality of nano-optoelectronic members comprising a photocatalyst, wherein the plurality of nano-optoelectronic members is operable to convert light energy emitted from proximate triboluminescent sensors into one or more electrical signals and wherein the plurality of nano-optoelectronic members is provided in or on the structure in an array configuration within the material; providing at least one analyzer in signal communication with one or more of the plurality of nano-optoelectronic members; and receiving at least one electrical signal at the analyzer from one or more of the plurality of nano-optoelectronic members, wherein the at least one electrical signal is converted by the one or more of the plurality of nano-optoelectronic members from light energy emitted from one or more proximate triboluminescent sensors.