| NanoTech researchers need to design SmartDust | | | | frequency might actually assist in the molecular bonding |
| sensors, which can be mixed in with cement dust prior | | | | and hardening of the structure rather than negatively |
| to hardening into concrete. This way when building | | | | affect it. By knowing exactly what we are working |
| large infrastructure projects we can have in place a | | | | with using sensors embedded in the concrete we can |
| method, which is non-intrusive to determine the fatigue | | | | determine to a higher degree our ability to trust said |
| factor without using ultrasound. Methods using sound | | | | structures. |
| waves or other similar methods such as non-contact | | | | Since concrete is acidic like a battery the sensors can |
| laser vibrometer waves sensing might inadvertently | | | | retain the power needed for decades to transmit |
| cause wear on the structure by breaking down the | | | | micro-data about the structural integrity of that region |
| molecular bonding of molecules causing premature | | | | of the structure. By taking a three-dimensional grid |
| aging. | | | | approach to monitor the entire structure we will have a |
| Ultrasound and other such methods currently used to | | | | snap shot of the safety of our infrastructures at all |
| test the structural integrity of dams, bridge support | | | | times. When working with mega-structures like the |
| bases, parking structures, buildings, runways, | | | | giant dam project in China, we will know after seismic |
| underground tunnels might be doing more harm than | | | | events how safe the structure is, how much water it |
| good. Many in the field believe that such | | | | can hold, where it might need up grades, how much of |
| non-destructive wave sensing is totally safe, yet as | | | | an Earthquake of which type she can handle. In our |
| we learn more about quantum mechanics unless the | | | | own country old projects would have been better |
| devices are properly set they can either interfere and | | | | served having such embedded devices in them, |
| cause damage or help the bonding and strengthen or | | | | currently they do not for this technology is not invented |
| even modify the material. In some large infrastructure | | | | yet, but now that it has been dreamed of surely will |
| such as dams and similar projects it takes decades | | | | soon. |
| for concrete to fully dry inside and reach its full | | | | In theory having sensors embedded in the concrete |
| potential strength. SmartDust sensors can help us | | | | might actually allow such non-destructive sensing such |
| know the current strength of dams and bridges and | | | | as laser or ultrasound to work at optimum yet using a |
| therefore know its elasticity for Earthquakes, bombings | | | | tenth of the power thus an added sense of inherent |
| by International Terrorists, ability to hold back water or | | | | safety to testing exposure over time. |
| weight capable of supporting. Sensors set at a proper | | | | |