Publications

The i³Sense project addresses the pressing challenges in monitoring the status of hygroscopic, bio-based materials such as wood. Traditional methods of measuring moisture and temperature use sensor systems attached externally to the surface of the material, resulting in indirect assessment of moisture content and typically unsustainable processing methods and materials. This necessitates the development of accurate, efficient, and environmentally friendly monitoring solutions for future wood and wood-based applications.

For the successful embedding of sensors into composite products, it is required to develop thin and flexible sensors on materials, which are ideally made of a similar raw material as the final product. Thin and porous cellulosic papers are very suitable sensor substrates and used within the i³ Sense program as sensor carrier material. In addition to screen printing and physical vapor deposition, new methods have been developed in i³ Sense for establishing conductive sensor structures on paper or wooden surfaces.

As conventional fiber composite components are typically designed with a higher safety factor compared to ferrous materials to account for potential defects or manufacturing issues, leading to increased material consumption, our focus is on addressing this issue in a manner that conserves materials and resources.

Understanding the curing behavior is pivotal for manufacturers of composite panels as it aids in determining an optimal pressing time that strikes a balance between performance and production cost. Typically, commercial sensors based on polyimide are utilised for this purpose, but they are non-biodegradable and can potentially impact the mechanical characteristics of laminates once integrated.

Wood is the building material of the future and is already widely and successfully used today. However, damage caused by excessive water uptake still represents a major risk. The project “Sensing with Wood” of the COMET module I³Sense aims at using wood itself as a large-area sensor for such moisture changes.

One of the major issues with wood as a building material is moisture absorption and the resulting consequences of dimensional instability, decreased strength or mold growth. Early detection of moisture uptake can result in a prompt solution, wherein areas with excessive moisture are handled locally or by replacing the affected elements.