Innovative Graphene-PDMS sensors for aerospace applications

For aerospace morphing and deployable applications, the use of PDMS-based sensors is crucial because they are characterized by easy application on large surfaces, light design, very large deformations, and durability in harsh environmental conditions. In this contest, the goal of the present work is to manufacture innovative, highly deformable, piezoresistive sensors, manufactured by using a simplified and scalable method for the applications on large-area, such as the airplane wings. To this end, an ad-hoc polymeric matrix was designed by crosslinking Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oligomers OH terminated with siloxane domains, obtained from hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). In particular, the solution of siloxanes domains precursors contributes to lower the viscosity without any solvents and to create, after curing, a fine crosslinked system which could withstand high deformation. Nanocomposites with graphene (6 - 15 wt%) were prepared by dispersing the fil