A team of researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials has successfully created an advanced film-type strain sensor incorporating nano-fabrication technology, according to a study published in ACS Applied Nano Materials.
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As buildings age, the need for effective structural monitoring has increased substantially. A recent breakthrough in nano-optical sensor technology now offers precise, real-time monitoring of structural stability and deformation, promising to transform the field of structural diagnostics. This innovation provides a cost-efficient, rapid solution that minimizes the specialized expertise traditionally required.
Led by Dr. Jae Sung Yoon, Principal Researcher at the Nano-lithography & Manufacturing Research Center within KIMM, and Ph.D. candidate Nguyen Hoang Minh from the UST-KIMM School, the team drew inspiration from natural structural colors seen in peacock feathers and morpho butterflies. Together, they developed an advanced film-type strain sensor using nano-fabrication technology. When applied to buildings or infrastructure, the sensor's color shifts in response to deformation, enabling efficient and accurate assessment of structural aging and safety.
KIMM’s nano-optical sensors convert mechanical stress into visible color changes via nano-patterns, allowing deformation to be seen as image data without the need for pigments, dyes, or external power. Using smartphones to quantify these color changes, this approach allows for detailed, precise measurements with a simple patch application, greatly simplifying traditional monitoring.
A significant technical challenge in nano-structural color research has been the color shift depending on the viewing angle. The team addressed this by developing a unique nano-pattern that maintains uniform color regardless of the angle, marking a world-first achievement that enables precise deformation measurements under varying viewpoints.
In addition, the researchers incorporated AI into the monitoring system to analyze color changes for assessing structural risks. By expanding the range of monitoring tools to include smartphones, drones, robotics, and CCTV, they can now detect and evaluate potential damage in structures that were previously difficult to assess. They also created a film with color display control, allowing it to function as a transparent security film that reveals patterns under specific conditions, ideal for anti-counterfeiting.
KIMM’s nano-optical technology has led to over ten domestic patent filings, along with an international patent (PCT) and a US patent under review. This technology was recently featured on the cover of ACS Applied Nano Materials and accepted for publication in Nanoscale Advances by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The research team is actively working with industry partners to bring this technology to market through technology transfer agreements, aiming to accelerate its adoption in structural monitoring and beyond.
This nano-optical sensor technology revolutionizes the assessment of structural aging and stability in buildings and facilities. By delivering a high-precision monitoring solution at a reduced cost, we aim to contribute to enhancing public safety and societal stability.
Dr. Jae Sung Yoon, Principal Researcher, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT's STEAM research initiative, specifically through the ‘Nano-Optical AI Construction Safety Research Group,’ led by Dr. Jae Sung Yoon under the Bridge Convergence Research program.
The project, titled Development of Smart Monitoring Technology for Building Safety and Disaster Management Based on Nano-Optics and Machine Learning, supports the ministry’s mission to drive technological innovation for safer infrastructure.
Journal Reference:
Minh, N. H. et. al. (2024) Photonic Crystals for Dichotomous Sensitivity to Strain for Sensor and Indicator Applications. ACS Applied Nano Materials. doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.4c03243