Transforming the Motorway into a Giant Sensor Network

Professor Young-Bin Park and his research team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNIST have made a groundbreaking development in the field of structural self-powered sensors. Their innovative FRP-TES grid, composed of carbon fibers, glass fibers, and epoxy, has demonstrated remarkable electrical and structural stability when compared to traditional TES systems. Through experiments, it was discovered that the FRP grid could generate electrical energy as tires passed over it. Even after enduring 10,000 tire passes, the grid showed no signs of voltage degradation, surpassing the mechanical properties of conventional systems.

Carbon fiber composites, known for their exceptional mechanical properties, are significantly lighter than iron while possessing ten times the strength. These composites have emerged as a superior alternative to iron-based materials, offering a wide range of applications due to their numerous advantages.

The research team showcased the versatility of their technology by developing a composite-based self-powered sensor on a large scale and validating its performance through a vehicle driving test. By leveraging friction charging principles, the sensor exhibited a high sensitivity to environmental changes. Through the analysis of electrical signals produced by the sensors, researchers were able to accurately monitor tire movements and determine their size.

Dr. Seongwan Lee, the lead researcher, emphasized the potential of their self-powered sensor in not only monitoring traffic conditions but also in predicting and responding to traffic accidents. Professor Park highlighted that the sensor's utility extends beyond academia, with applications in traffic volume management, vehicle weight and speed measurement, as well as industrial settings.

"Future research endeavors will focus on integrating the triboelectric mechanism of FRP with Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) utilizing carbon fiber to create intelligent infrastructure capable of both traffic monitoring and structural health monitoring," stated the research team. "This advancement is anticipated to have far-reaching implications across various sectors, including robotics."

The research findings were recently published online in Nano Energy on June 6, 2024, and were made possible through the support of the Mid-Career Researcher Project by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).