Multifunctional composites with triboluminescent sensors and photoactive materials

Advanced composites have non-traditional failure occurrences that can include composite delamination, fiber-debonding, and matrix cracking. A known weak focal point for continuation of damage is found in the matrix constituent. Damage detection will be most prominent at these sites for first occurrences and thus deemed as critical to detection for first response. The system under development uses the triboluminescence (TL) phenomenon as the energy (light) source, thus negating the need for any external energy source. Triboluminescence1 is a mechano-optical phenomenon of luminescence, where light emission occurs by rubbing or fracture. The composites become multifunctional when TL phosphors are incorporated as composite fillers and via nerve sensors. This effort investigates the harvesting of light energy through ubiquitous dispersion as well as concentrated photoactive optical fibers. Through inundation of a highly known TL material (ZnS:Mn), emissions were observed during flexural loading of casted resin and reinforced matrices. This work describes ongoing effort to harvest low-light energy using optoelectronic devices during quasi-static loading of concentrated composite systems