Principal Investigator(s):
Xun Yu, Former Associate Professor, UMD-Mechanical & Industrial Eng
Co-Investigators:
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Eil Kwon, Professor, UMD-Civil Engineering
Project summary:
Carbon nanotubes (CNT) provide civil engineers a new way to monitor the health of concrete pavement. CNT electrical networks can detect cracking in concrete; when CNTs are combined with the concrete itself, the composite is capable of self-monitoring. The goal of this project is to further explore the possibility of using this composite on a more widespread basis. Among other activities, researchers will determine the best method for fabrication of the composite and will also test the composite's ability to self-monitor under severe weather conditions.