Smart Skin

Smart skins are to be considered in the context of radar absorbing materials where solutions have been given in [113,114]. Smart microwave windows have been proposed in the context of using poly(aniline)-silver-polymer electrolyte composite materials which have shown a change in microwave reflectivity when a small electrical dc potential is applied among them [115]. An adaptive radar absorbing structure based on the topology of a Salisbury screen combined with an active frequency selective surface controlled by PIN diodes has been described in [116] which allows for superior reflectivity-bandwidth. 

Parylene which can be used as a skin for flapping wings (131). Some recent development has been in exploring options on how to control the airflow on the skin. The solution is an array of valves where each valve consists of a tethered cap, such that it can be actuated individually. The whole system is said to be packaged at 20 pm thickness and to be mass producible. 

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Macedo PB, Barkatt A, Feng X, Finger SM, Hojaji H, Laberge N, Mohr R, Penafiel M, Saad E (1989) Development of porous glass fiber sensors, Fiber optic structures and smart skins. Proc SPIE 986 200-205... 

The research results described in this review were supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (F49620-02-01-0127 and F49620-99-01-0031) and Air Force Office of Scientific Research through the MURI Center at the University of Washington ( Polymeric Smart Skins )(AFOSR F 49620-01-10364), the National Science Foundation (NSF-DMR 0096820), and the Mitsubishi Center for Advanced Materials at UCSB. 

Smart skin (smart composite) n. A composite containing molded-in sensors and micro transmitters that enable aerospace engineers to detect in-flight changes in temperature, strain, ice thickness, and cracks. 

Very small volume application with significant impact over the years in the development of sensitive devices for military as well as security applications. Major research efforts since 1970s for this reason. Russian facilities had significant PVDF development efforts during the cold war Foam-smart skin concept(105)... 

Smart skins load-carrying structural elements with integrated avionics (antennae), which can be either a sensory, active, adaptive or even intelligent structure, depending on its term of use. 

Lockyer, A.J. et al. Development of a Conformal Load Carrying Smart Skin AntenrM for Military Aircraft. SPIE 2448/53 (1995)... 

Altandal, K.H. Smart Skin Structure Technology Demonstration. SPIE Meeting on Smart Structures and Mater. San Diego/CA (1996)... 

Smart skin Can enable new functionality in large area arrays Allows large out-of-plane motions Lighter and cost effective Shape alloy film, carbon nanotubes Microfabrication difficulty... 

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