Polymeric “Smart” Skin Materials

Multi-sensor paints have been developed for detection both physical (pressure, temperature, shear, etc.) and chemical (corrosion, explosive) phenomena. Such materials have been transitions to practical applications such as wind tunnel testing and infrastructure monitoring and have also been adopted for fundamental studies of fluid dynamics and insect flight. A variety of carbon nanotube applications have been developed including nanotube actuators for both sensing and active control of surfaces. State-of-the-art OLED and photovoltaic materials have been developed for display and renewal energy source technologies. State-of-the-art organic electro-optic materials and device concepts have been developed and adapted to a variety of defense relevant applications including sensing, information management, and guidance. Organic electro-optic materials have been integrated with silicon photonics producing a new generation of nano/microscale device technology in a thin film format. Project research is playing a critical role in enabling emerging technologies including embedded network sensing by permitting the integration of multiple functions in a thin film (smart skin) format.