Polymer composite sensors for automotive, aerospace, and other engineering applications

Abstract

Polymer composites/nanocomposites are widely used in structural applications in aerospace and automotive industries. Despite their use in these types of applications, both the polymer and their composites are gaining attraction in the field of sensors and actuators due to the recent advancements in functional polymers, fillers, and reinforcement agents. The demand for sensors in new-generation aerospace and automotive industries is increasing due to the wide usage of various types of sensors in vehicle electronics and control systems. The automobile and aerospace industries use multiple sensors to ensure the safety, reliability, comfort, and smooth functioning of both the ground and air vehicles. Therefore the demand for advanced sensors is increasing in day-to-day life. It is challenging for researchers and manufacturers to design sensors with efficient sensing capabilities while retaining mechanical flexibility, scalability, robustness, signal integrity, and performance stability. This chapter focuses on the recent developments of polymer composite/nanocomposite sensors and their emerging application in aerospace, automotive, robotics, and other engineering fields.