Date of Award

Fall 2022

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Department

Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Daewon Kim

Committee Co-Chair

Foram Madiyar

First Committee Member

Sirish Namilae

Abstract

NASA maintains the ability to track a large majority of objects in Earth’s orbit, however lack the ability to track objects smaller than five centimeters in diameter. These untrackable objects represent a significant danger to inflatable structures. This work seeks to synthesize and fabricate a self-healable, passive, dielectric elastomer impact sensor for structural health monitoring on inflatable space structures subject to impact by micrometeoroids and orbital debris. In a setting in which impact repairs can be extremely costly, the implementation of such a technology would not only alert personnel of such an event but would also serve to decrease the cost and time of repairs. This investigation synthesizes an intrinsically self-healing poly(dimethylsiloxane) via a supra-molecular network of multi-strength hydrogen bonds. The modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) network must be effective in harsh environments, particularly extremely low temperatures, as well as retain the dielectric properties of poly(dimethylsiloxane). Self-healing efficiency, stretchability and flexibility are also desirable properties to attain. Integration of the manufactured sensor arrays around a layer of woven ceramic fiber with conductive fabric electrodes, hypervelocity impact testing, and self-healing efficiency tests are performed and confirm the sensors capabilities. The performed tests demonstrate a measurable change in capacitance associated with impact damage and location. Success is represented by passive operation and the penetrated sensors’ ability to self-repair without compromising the sensors impact detection capabilities.

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