Large-scale manufacturing of Large flexible nanocomposite polymer sensor(WrapSense)

Canadian SME Direct-C have developed a novel nano-composite sensor material that can be configured to detect temperature, stress/strain/cracking and directly detect chemical exposure. The company are in close collaboration with end-users in the aerospace and oil and gas industries to develop applications for hydrocarbon leak detection and structural monitoring. A unique feature of the Direct-C technology is that it can be applied as a “paint” over large areas or long lengths making it particularly well-suited for the target applications in pipeline leak monitoring and structural monitoring of large areas such as aircraft wings. This is currently developed to small-scale flexible printed sensors (WrapSense™) and needs to be scaled up to meet the needs of the target markets.
In this project, Direct-C will partner with UK SME specialists in printed circuit technology Trackwise who have developed capability for printing large-scale (up to 30 m) flexible multilayer PCBs as well as wireless PCB technology.
The SME partners will be supported by research organisation TWI, specialists in development, testing and standardisation of sensor systems with specialisation in oil and gas and aerospace industries. TWI will provide specialist facilities for characterisation and testing.