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U.S. Department of Energy
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Embedded Self-Powered MicroSensors for Monitoring the Surety of Critical Buildings and Infrastructures

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/810690· OSTI ID:810690

Monitoring the condition of critical structures is vital for not only assuring occupant safety and security during naturally occurring and malevolent events, but also to determine the fatigue rate under normal aging conditions and to allow for efficient upgrades. This project evaluated the feasibility of applying integrated, remotely monitored micro-sensor systems to assess the structural performance of critical infrastructure. These measurement systems will provide forensic data on structural integrity, health, response, and overall structural performance in load environments such as aging, earthquake, severe wind, and blast attacks. We have investigated the development of ''self-powered'' sensor tags that can be used to monitor the state-of-health of a structure and can be embedded in that structure without compromising the integrity of the structure. A sensor system that is powered by converting structural stresses into electrical power via piezoelectric transducers has been demonstrated including work toward integration of that sensor with a novel radio frequency (RF) tagging technology as a means of remotely reading the data from the sensor.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (US); Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
810690
Report Number(s):
SAND2001-3619
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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