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Eingeladener Vortrag
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Gas sensors in linear form based on the measuring principle of gas selective permeability through a membrane were developed and introduced for the detection and quantification of gas concentrations. A current field study focuses on measuring CO2 concentrations for a spatially distributed monitoring of subsurface CO2 gas storage sites in near real time. A 400 m(2) test site and a corresponding laboratory system were built up to characterize, validate, and optimize the sensor. A calibration routine was developed, which can be applied subsequently to underground installation. First measurement results indicate the potential of the method.
A monitoring method is introduced that creates, in near real-time, two-dimensional (2D) maps of the soil gas distribution. The method combines linear gas sensing technology for in-situ monitoring of gases in soil with the mapping capabilities of Computed Tomography (CT) to reconstruct spatial and temporal resolved gas distribution maps. A weighted iterative algebraic reconstruction method based on Maximum Likelihood with Expectation Maximization (MLEM) in combination with a source-by-source reconstruction approach is introduced that works with a sparse setup of orthogonally-aligned linear gas sensors. The reconstruction method successfully reduces artifact production, especially when multiple gas sources are present, allowing the discrimination between true and non-existing so-called ghost source locations. A first experimental test indicates the high potential of the proposed method for, e.g., rapid gas leak localization.
The combination of RFID tags and energy efficient sensors offers promising potential for identification, diagnosis, and monitoring applications - particularly when it comes to objacts, which require continuous observation and which are difficult to access with conventional tools. This paper presents two examples as an outlook for RFID sensor systems in embedded structures and in mobile applications.
In preliminary work, gas sensors in linear form based on the measuring principle of gas selective permeability through a membrane were developed and introduced for the detection and quantification of gas concentrations. In this study, first experimental results are presented for adapting the technology for measuring methane (CH4). A material with suitable selective permeability was identified and utilized in a sensor setup containing the gas selective membrane and a reference membrane, both integrated in a measuring cell, to which a gas stream with defined CH4 concentrations was applied. The results prove the sensor's capability for measuring methane and indicate further application potential of the method, e.g., as a robust field monitoring technology, since CH4 is the major component of natural gas, town gas, and fracking gas.
The combination of different types of sensors to multi-sensor devices offers excellent potential for monitoring applications. This should be demonstrated by means of four different examples of actual developments carried out by Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM): monitoring and indoor localization of relief forces, a micro-drone for gas measurement in hazardous scenarios, sensor-enabled radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for safeguard of dangerous goods, and a multifunctional sensor for spatially resolved under-surface monitoring of gas storage areas. Objective of the presented projects is to increase the personal and technical safety in hazardous scenarios. These examples should point to application specific challenges for the applied components and infrastructure, and it should emphasize the potential of multi-sensor systems and sensor data fusion.
A new concept for the self-diagnosis of embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors was developed, simulated and experimentally tested. This concept is based on a magnetostrictive metallic layer directly coated on the fibre cladding over the grating segment of the FBG sensor, so that an on-demand external magnetic field in a millitesla scale can produce a controllable artificial strain as an indication signal for the remote optical interrogator. The relationship between the pre-defined magnetic field and its induced Bragg wavelength shift characterizes this validation concept. Any deviation of the local bonding state of the interfaces from the initial or/and any change of shear strain transferring mechanism from composite matrix to the optical fibre core will result in alterations in this sensitive relationship, and thus triggers an immediate alert for a further inspection. The finite element method is used to simulate the strain of this configuration as result of different values of the magnetic field in order to optimize the geometrical sensor parameters. The simulations are verified by experiments results. © (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The combination of Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and low energy sensors offers promising chances to implement cost effective, easy to apply, and easy to handle sensor systems for a variety of applications. The RFID technology is already well established in logistics. Enhanced processing and interface capabilities enable the integration of various sensors for control, diagnostics, and monitoring tasks. In the scope of research projects carried out at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), RFID sensor systems were developed and validated with regard to two different application scenarios: the Identification and diagnosis of concrete components for road bridges and the monitoring of dangerous goods transportation. This contribution presents selected research results and reflects the practical experiences on future chances and limitations of RFID sensor systems.
Completely embedded sensor systems for long-term operation offer innovative possibilities for structural health monitoring of concrete structures. Measuring of relevant parameters, e.g., temperature, humidity, or indication of corrosion can be performed with low energy sensors. This allows to implement passive RFID sensor systems without cable connection and battery, which are power supplied exclusively by the electromagnetic field from the external reader device. To evaluate characteristics and conditions of this concept, a systematical investigation of the transmission characteristics with variation of relevant parameters, as communication frequency, installation depth, type of concrete, moisture content, etc. is currently carried out in an interdisciplinary Research project at BAM. First results are presented in this paper.
BAM is the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing and the competent authority for mechanical and thermal safety assessment of transport packages for spent fuel and high level waste. In context with safety assessment of RAM packages BAM performed numerous drop tests in the last decades. The tests were mostly accompanied by extensive and various measurement techniques especially by instrumented measurements with strain gages and accelerometers. The procedure of drop testing and the resulting measurement analysis are the main methods to evaluate the safety against mechanical test conditions. Measurement techniques are dedicated to answer questions in regard to the structural integrity of a RAM package, the mechanical behavior of the prototype as well as of its content under impact conditions.
Test results like deceleration-time functions constitute a main basis for the validation of assumptions in the safety analysis and for the evaluation of numerical calculations. In this context the adequate selection of accelerometers and measurement systems for the performance of drop tests is important. Therefore it is not only necessary to find suitable positions for the accelerometers at the test specimens, but also to consider technical boundary conditions as e.g. temperature.
Insect behavior is a common source of inspiration for roboticists and computer scientists when designing gas-sensitive mobile robots. More specifically, tracking airborne odor plumes and localization of distant gas sources are abilities that suit practical applications such as leak localization and emission monitoring. Gas sensing with mobile robots has been mostly addressed with ground-based platforms and under simplified conditions and thus, there exist a significant gap between the outstanding insect abilities and state of the art robotics systems. As a step towards practical applications, we evaluated the performance of three biologically inspired plume tracking algorithms. The evaluation is carried out not only with computer simulations, but also with real-world experiments in which, a quadrocopter-based micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle autonomously follows a methane trail towards the emitting source. Compared to ground robots, micro UAVs bring several advantages such as their superior steering capabilities and fewer mobility restrictions in complex terrains. The experimental evaluation shows that, under certain environmental conditions, insect like behavior in gas-sensitive UAVs is feasible in real world environments.
Temperature characteristics of a piezoresistive accelerometer for high impact shock application
(2018)
This study presents the characterization of a piezoresistive accelerometer damped with silicon oil for the application in drop tests carried out at BAM. Experiments were performed with the Hopkinson Bar method in close correlation to the real-world application conditions. The results point out certain limitations regarding the temperature influence and the frequency response. Additional experiments were performed with a gas damped type of piezoresistive accelerometer, which has superior specifications, particularly for low temperatures. The results allow for a comparison.
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of these kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing. Spectroscopic measurement methods for remote sensing of selected gases lend themselves for use on mini-copters, which offer a number of advantages for inspection and surveillance over traditional methods. No direct contact with the target gas is needed and thus the influence of the aerial platform on the measured gas plume can be kept to a minimum. This allows to overcome one of the major issues with gas-sensitive mini-copters. On the other hand, remote gas sensors, most prominently Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensors have been too bulky given the payload and energy restrictions of mini-copters. Here, we present the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), which combines a novel lightweight TDLAS sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile hexacopter. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available robots and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO). It enables tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes and a localization of gas sources. We also present first results showing its performance under realistic conditions.
Pollution through emission of toxic gases is an increasing problem for the environment. It affects similarly agricultural, industrial and urban areas. In future, environmental emissions in ambient air must be monitored at even lower concentrations as nowadays. One environmental relevant compound is ammonia and its conversion product ammonium that have strong negative impact on human health and ecosystems. Most ammonia measurements in ambient air are performed in the range below 1000 nmol·mol 1 and thus there is a need for reliable traceable ammonia gas standards and in addition in situ analytical procedures for monitoring (in ambient air to avoid that thresholds are exceeded). Therefore, the use of reference materials is necessary for development accompanying test or for calibration, e. g. of structure-integrated sensors and mobile multi-gas sensors.
The developed gas standard generator produces gas mixtures that comply with the metrological traceability for ammonia gas standards in the desired environmentally relevant measurement range. The method is based on the permeation of ammonia through a membrane at constant temperature and pressure. The resulting ammonia penetrant gas flow is then mixed with a carrier gas flow to generate a gas standard flow of known concentration. The dynamic rage is enlarged by using a two dilution steps. Depending on the permeation rate, generable molar fractions are possible in the range nmol·mol-1 to a few µmol·mol-1. We present the design of an ammonia gas standard generator and first results of the characterisation of its individual components supporting the uncertainty assessment according to GUM for stable gas concentrations in this range. The relative uncertainty of the generated ammonia gas standard is smaller than 4 % (k = 2).
Sensor network deployment
(2018)
Innovation is the catalyst for the technology of the future. It is important to develop new and better technologies that can continuously monitor the environmental impact, e.g., for air Quality control or emission detection. In the recently at BAM developed Universal Pump Sensor Control (UPSC3) module, different components and sensors are fused. The combination of the individual components makes the UPSC3 module an excellent monitoring and reference system for the development and characterization of gas specific sensors. Measurements over long periods are possible, for mixed gas loads or for certain gas measurements. The System is part of a mobile sensor network of several sensor units, which can also be used as standalone systems.
BAM is the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing and the competent authority for mechanical and thermal safety assessment of transport packages for spent fuel and high level waste. In context with safety assessment of RAM packages BAM performed numerous drop tests in the last decades. The tests were mostly accompanied by extensive and various measurement techniques especially by instrumented measurements with strain gages and accelerometers.
The procedure of drop testing and the resulting measurement analysis are the main methods to evaluate the safety against mechanical test conditions. Measurement techniques are dedicated to answer questions in regard to the structural integrity of a RAM package, the mechanical behavior of the prototype as well as of its content under impact conditions.
Test results like deceleration-time functions constitute a main basis for the validation of assumptions in the safety analysis and for the evaluation of numerical calculations. In this context the adequate selection of accelerometers and measurement systems for the performance of drop tests is important. Therefore it is not only necessary to find suitable positions for the accelerometers at the test specimens, but also to consider technical boundary conditions as e.g. temperature.
Over decades, the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has established a sophisticated calibration laboratory for force, temperature and electrical quantities. Since more than 15 years it is accredited, currently by the national accreditation body (DAkkS), and offers its service also to external entities on a global scale. As a public provider, we are furthermore committed to research and development activities that demand measurements with highest quality and low level of uncertainties. Two R&D examples are highlighted within this contribution.
In this paper, we introduce a nano aerial robot swarm for indoor air quality monitoring applications such as occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces. The concept combines a robotic swarm composing of nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (nano UAVs), based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, and small lightweight metal oxide gas sensors for measuring the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) in ppb and estimating the eCO2 (equivalent calculated carbon-dioxide) concentration in ppm. TVOC is a measure for the indoor air quality. An indoor localization and positioning system will be used to estimate the absolute 3D position of the swarm like GPS. Based on this novel indoor air quality monitoring concept, the development and validation of new algorithms in the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO) are planned, namely gas source localization and gas distribution mapping. A test scenario will be built up to validate and optimize the gas-sensitive nano aerial robot swarm for the intended applications.
In this paper, we introduce a nano aerial robot swarm for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring applications such as occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces. The robotic swarm is composed of nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, and small lightweight Metal Oxide (MOX) gas sensors for measuring the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC), which is a measure for IAQ. An indoor localization and positioning system is used to estimate the absolute 3D position of the swarm similar to GPS. A test scenario was built up to validate and optimize the swarm for the intended applications. Besides calibration of the IAQ sensors, we performed experiments to investigate the influence of the rotor downwash on the gas measurements at different altitudes and compared them with stationary measurements. Moreover, we did a first evaluation of the gas distribution mapping performance. Based on this novel IAQ monitoring concept, new algorithms in the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO) are planned to be developed exploiting the abilities of an aerial robotic swarm.
The presence of wastewater and air pollution has become an important risk factor for citizens, not only in terms of problems related to health risks, but also because of its negative impact on the country's image. For this reason, malodorous emission monitoring and control techniques are in high demand in urban areas and industries. The aim of this work is first to build an electronic nose (e-nose) and a Voltammetric Electronic tongue (VE-tongue) in order to study their ability to discriminate between polluted and clean environmental samples. Secondly, Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), and Solid Phase Micro Extraction-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) are utilized to explain this discrimination by identifying specific compounds from these samples. Indeed, the e-nose, consisted of metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors, is used for the assessment of the studied odorous air and headspace samples from water and wastewater sites. Moreover, the VE-tongue, based on metal electrodes, is utilized to determine the patterns of the sensor array responses, which serve as fingerprints profiles of the analyzed liquid samples. Chemometric tools, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are operated for the processing of data from the e-nose and the VE-tongue. By using the both systems, the analyses of headspace and liquid samples from the seven sites allow better discrimination. To explain the cause of the obtained discrimination, TD-GC-MS and SPME-GC-MS analyses are well performed to identify compounds related sites. According to these outcomes, the proposed e-nose and VE-tongue are proved to be rapid and valuable tools for analysis of environmental polluted matrices.
The present paper describes the development of a sensor material that changes its fluorescence in the presence of gaseous ammonia in a relevant concentration range. The implementation into a semi-automatic gas measurement device enables low-cost, precise, simple and fast monitoring of low con-centrations of harmful gases, like ammonia, and hence can help to improve the climate monitoring in livestock housing, barns or stables.
Design and Implementation of Smart Multisensor Monitoring System for Safe Workplaces with LoRaWAN
(2020)
This project addresses the application of safe workplaces in offices and chemical laboratories where indoor air quality plays an important role. The LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is used as a communication interface to make important sensor data globally accessible. The goal of the development is to create a sensor node and an online and offline solution that collects the data from the sensor nodes and stores it on a local server or in a cloud. In cooperation with the companies WISTA GmbH and IONOS, a test sensor network is going to be established in the Berlin-Adlershof area.
Concept for investigating mechanical and thermal impacts on distributed subsurface gas monitoring
(2016)
A multifunctional sensor in line shape was developed and introduced in previous work for measuring of gas concentrations, temperature change, and strain. A current field study focuses on a spatially distributed monitoring of subsurface CO 2 gas storage sites in near real time.
Mechanical impacts, e.g., caused by construction work, denudation, and seismic activity, can affect the integrity of underground gas storage sites. Thermal or moisture impacts, e.g., caused by weather conditions, can influence the gas Distribution behavior. In this paper, we briefly describe the setup of a CO 2 injection soil test field. This setup contains actuating elements for the investigation of mechanical and thermal impacts on distributed subsurface gas monitoring. A concept is given for evaluating these impacts and first experimental results are presented.
Strain and acceleration measurement during high dynamic drop tests, e.g., of containments for dangerous goods is performed using high speed multichannel measuring systems. So far established and operated systems need a cable connection of every strain gauge and acceleration sensor with the measuring device, often counting up to a number of more than 100 cables, corresponding to the number of applied sensors. The result is a massive cable harness consisting of all single cables, which is difficult to handle and causes a number of practical problems. An innovative approach is proposed by using a single cable measuring system, consisting of measuring modules with data bus connection and local data acquisition. Promising results were presented in a previous study. This paper follows up with additional results from full-scale testing of a further enhanced single cable system for the application in drop tests.
Gas sensors in linear form based on the measuring principle of gas selective permeability through a membrane were developed and introduced for the detection and quantification of gas concentrations. A current field study focuses on measuring CO2 concentrations for a spatially distributed monitoring of subsurface CO2 gas storage sites in near real time. A 400 m² test site and a corresponding laboratory system were built up to characterize, validate, and optimize the sensor. A calibration routine was developed, which can be applied subsequently to underground installation. First measurement results indicate the potential of the method.
In this work an air-based sensor network for the localization of persons at extensive areas is presented. The developed network consists of a localization device which the person is wearing (BodyGuard-System), a mobile relay station in the air, and a base station. All three parts communicate with the same radio chip. The BodyGuard-System is an inertial navigation system which was developed for localization in difficult environments with high accuracy and low measurement uncertainty. To increase the range of the system, a multi-hop network was built up. The measured data of the BodyGuard-System and the mobile relay station is visualized on a PC in the base station. This multi-hop network is necessary for example for fire department missions.
Fiber optic sensors have gained increasing importance in recent years and are well established in many areas of industrial applications. In this paper, we introduce a concept of a self-diagnostic fiber optic sensor. The presented sensor is to resolve the problems of embedded fiber optic sensors in complex structures and to enable the validation under operational conditions. For this purpose, different magnetostrictive coated fiber optic sensors were developed and various experiments were performed to verify their mode of operation and to determine the respective reproducibility. The measuring principle is illustrated by obtained experimental results, which showed a change in wavelength from 1 pm at a magnetic field strength change of 0.25 mT. In addition, the temperature characteristics of the implemented magnetostrictive sensor were analyzed and an experimental factor of 1.5 compared to a reference fiber optic sensor was determined.
Geogenic gases from natural sources, carbon dioxide (CO2) from a geological repository (carbon capture and storage - CCS) or a leaking gas pipeline can present serious risks in industrial and urban areas. To extend the lead time for risk treatment in such critical regions, reliable detection of gases within the shallow subsurface is required to observe critical gas accumulations before degassing into the atmosphere.
A near real-time monitoring approach is introduced to determine the volumetric expansion of a leakinggas in the subsurface. Considering the pressure relaxation with the ambient air pressure, the approach enables the forecasting of the final size of a pressurized gas body in terms of characteristic lengths. According to theoretical basics, such a characteristic length, which enables us to perform a gas (safety) measurement based on a purely geometrical measure, behaves independently of subsurface properties,i.e., it enables a reliable quantification of the escaping gas irrespective of its heterogeneous or changingflow path distribution. A field test for a 10 l/min pinhole leakage injected into a 10 m long, 0.4 m wide, 0.95 m deep soil-filled trench that was equipped with linear sensors shows the lateral-vertical volumetric gas expansion along these sensors, and demonstrates the applicability of the characteristic length approach.
In the near future, it will be important to adopt innovative approaches and technologies in order to further guarantee the reliability and availability of the highway network. New tools are therefore needed in order 'to obtain in-depth information about the condition of bridges and its development early enough before significant, precarious damage cases occur. In 2011, the research program "Intelligente Brücken (Smart Bridges)" was launched by the BASt together with the BMVI to evolve systems for information and holistic evaluation for bridge structures as a supplement to the current inspection-based maintenance management. Several projects dealt with the topic in the last few years and provided guidelines and a solid basis to move towards a first implementation considering the input of all research projects carried out so far.
Real-time wind estimation on a micro unmanned aerial vehicle using its inertial measurement unit
(2015)
This paper presents an approach for a quadrocoper-based micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that estimates the wind vector (speed and direction) in real-time based on measurement data of its on-board sensors only. This method does not need any additional airspeed sensor or dedicated anemometer, and thus the micro UAV's valuable payload remains free for other sensors. Wind tunnel and field tests were used to evaluate the performance of the approach. In order to quantify its accuracy, experiments are presented where data was collected with an anemometer placed in an open field with the micro UAV in flight following a predefined trajectory around the anemometer and hovering at a defined position close to it.
One challenge associated with navigating a nano aerial robot swarm indoors in unstructured environments is, i.a., the limited air space. To avoid an over-regulation of the available indoor air space (e.g., prohibit copters to fly above each other), a safety region around each copter must be defined. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the downwash of a nano-drone on the stability of another nearby nano-drone. In the experiments, we found out that this downwash has a negative influence of a second nano-drone in a distance of around 1 m vertically and 0.2 m horizontally. Based on the obtained data, we developed a model describing the above-mentioned safety region to enable a safe operation of the swarm in these environments with fewer constraints.
Increasing traffic volume on the one hand and ageing infrastructure on the other hand have created many new challenges for maintenance and structural health monitoring of roads and bridges. In the past, many bridges and road structures have been neglected, often resulting in traffic congestion, road closure, and increased repair costs.
This research is concerned with the development of a system to improve the challenge of maintenance and early detection of damage, particularly moisture penetration and corrosion of steel reinforced concrete components. The objective is to develop a method that will also work after 30 years and longer. Many new IoT solutions are equipped with internal energy storage elements (accumulators or batteries) which are inappropriate here, since most relevant signs of concrete degradation occur after decades, where the functioning of such elements are more than questionable. The presented technology approach uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) and enables connectivity to sensors. It offers the advantage of an passive, completely independent energy supply without any energy storage components.
Since the system should be permanently embedded in concrete, it is crucial to develop a long-term stable device which is adapted to the environmental influences of the structure, e.g., long-term resistance in very alkaline environment of pH 13. In numerous experiments, the robustness of the system was tested and evaluated. Various tests with encapsulations to protect the electronics were performed, and for long-term validation different concrete specimens were instrumented with RFID-sensor-systems. Their operating time is now around two years and investigations for signs of fatigue and damage to the encapsulation and the electronics are ongoing.
Using a swarm of copter-based gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality is challenging due to, e.g., limited air space in buildings. To avoid an over-regulation of the available indoor air space (e.g., prohibit copters to fly above each other), a safety region around each copter must be defined to guarantee a safe operation of the swarm.
The key contributions of this paper are the realization of experiments that investigate the influence of the rotor downwash on flying vertically displaced nano robots and the development of a model describing the above-mentioned safety region.
In civil engineering, many structures are made of reinforced concrete. Most Degradation processes relevant to this material, e.g., corrosion, are related to an increased level of material moisture.
Therefore, moisture monitoring in reinforced concrete is regarded as a crucial method for structural health monitoring. In this study, passive radio frequency identification (RFID)-based sensors are embedded into the concrete. They are well suited for long-term operation over decades and are well protected against harsh environmental conditions. The energy supply and the data transfer of the humidity sensors are provided by RFID. The sensor casing materials are optimised to withstand the high alkaline environment in concrete, having pH values of more than 12. Membrane materials are also investigated to identify materials capable of enabling water vapour transport from the porous cement matrix to the embedded humidity sensor. By measuring the corresponding relative humidity with embedded passive RFID-based sensors, the cement hydration is monitored for 170 days.
Moreover, long-term moisture monitoring is performed for more than 1000 days. The Experiments show that embedded passive RFID-based sensors are highly suitable for long-term structural health monitoring in civil engineering.
In this communication a novel concept for pH sensing is introduced which is specifically adapted to monitor carbonation induced corrosion in concrete structures. The method is based on a ratiometric measurement principle, exploiting the pH sensitive colour switching of thymol blue in the basic pH regime and the emissive properties of two different (Zn)CdSe/ZnS core shell quantum dots. The transition point of thymol blue in a Hydrogel D4 matrix was determined to be at around pH 11.6, which fits ideally to the intended application. Next to the fundamental spectroscopic characterization of the ratiometric response, a new design for a sensor head, suitable for the incorporation into concrete matrices is presented. Toward this, a manufacturing process was developed which includes the preparation of a double layer of polymers containing either thymol blue or a quantum dot mixture inside a porous ceramic tube. Results of a proof-of-priciple performance test of the sensor head in solutions of different pH and in cement specimens are presented, with encouraging results paving the way for future field tests in concrete.
In this paper, we present and validate the concept of an autonomous aerial robot to reconstruct tomographic 2D slices of gas plumes in outdoor environments. Our platform, the so-called Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), combines a lightweight Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) gas sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming at a versatile octocopter. While the TDLAS sensor provides integral gas concentration measurements, it does not measure the distance traveled by the laser diode’s beam nor the distribution of gas along the optical path. Thus, we complement the set-up with a laser rangefinder and apply principles of Computed Tomography (CT) to create a model of the spatial gas distribution from a set of integral concentration measurements. To allow for a fundamental ground truth evaluation of the applied gas tomography algorithm, we set up a unique outdoor test environment based on two 3D ultrasonic anemometers and a distributed array of 10 infrared gas transmitters. We present results showing its performance characteristics and 2D plume reconstruction capabilities under realistic conditions. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available robots and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO).
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of these kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing. Spectroscopic measurement methods for remote sensing of selected gases lend themselves for use on mini-copters, which offer a number of advantages for inspection and surveillance over traditional methods. No direct contact with the target gas is needed and thus the influence of the aerial platform on the measured gas plume can be kept to a minimum. This allows to overcome one of the major issues with gas-sensitive mini-copters. On the other hand, remote gas sensors, most prominently Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensors have been too bulky given the payload and energy restrictions of mini-copters. Here, we present the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), which combines a novel lightweight TDLAS sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile hexacopter. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available robots and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO). It enables tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes and a localization of gas sources. We also present first results showing its performance under realistic conditions.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an important part of buildings surveillance and maintenance to detect material failure as early as possible and to contribute in protection of structures and their users.
The implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor systems without cable connection and battery into building components offers innovative possibilities to enable long-term in-situ SHM of addressed structures, bridges. The objectives of the presented study are complete embedding of RFID sensors systems in concrete, full passive communication with the systems, at best for the whole life span of structures. One challenge for this task is the highly alkaline environment in concrete, which requires non-degrading and robust encapsulation. Further Requirements are passive communication and energy supply, appropriate antenna design, placement and fixation in concrete, and the selection and implementation of sensors and connections. The concept is to develop and optimize a simple and robust system, which meets the requirements, as well as comprehensive validation in concrete specimen and real world applications. Two different systems were developed (HF and UHF RFID, respectively).
First tasks were the implementation of analog sensors using the superposition principle for the signal adaption. Investigation of suitable materials for robust encapsulation and sensor protection against basic environments.
Four materials were investigated in pH 13 solution for 14 days
- 3D-Printer-Polymer was completely resolved
- PVC has no noticeable decrease in weight
- (VitaPro) glass filter for the sensor protector, has weight loss 2.7 %
- The epoxy resin has increased by 1.8 % due to moisture expansion
Different concrete samples were prepared for the validation of the systems.
RFID sensors were embedded in different integration depths. Investigate the energy- and data transfer through concrete, also with varying moisture content. Additionally, signal strength data was used to optimize and validate the antenna characteristics in concrete. Next steps are to guarantee a sufficient energy supply for UHF RFID systems embedded in different concrete mixtures and further embedding the HF and UHF RFID systems in real bridges and buildings to validate the long term monitoring.
In this paper, we introduce a nano aerial robot swarm for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring applications such as occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces. The robotic swarm is composed of nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, and small lightweight Metal Oxide (MOX) gas sensors for measuring the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC), which is a measure for IAQ. An indoor localization and positioning system is used to estimate the absolute 3D position of the swarm similar to GPS. A test scenario was built up to validate and optimize the swarm for the intended applications. Besides calibration of the IAQ sensors, we performed experiments to investigate the influence of the rotor downwash on the gas measurements at different altitudes and compared them with stationary measurements. Moreover, we did a first evaluation of the gas distribution mapping performance. Based on this novel IAQ monitoring concept, new algorithms in the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO) are planned to be developed exploiting the abilities of an aerial robotic swarm.
Increasing traffic volume on the one hand and ageing infrastructure on the other hand have created many new challenges for maintenance and structural health monitoring of roads and bridges. In the past, many bridges and road structures have been neglected, often resulting in traffic congestion, road closure, and increased repair costs.
This research is concerned with the development of a system to improve the challenge of maintenance and early detection of damage, particularly moisture penetration and corrosion of steel reinforced concrete components. The objective is to develop a method that will also work after 30 years and longer. Many new IoT solutions are equipped with internal energy storage elements (accumulators or batteries) which are inappropriate here, since most relevant signs of concrete degradation occur after decades, where the functioning of such elements are more than questionable. The presented technology approach uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) and enables connectivity to sensors. It offers the advantage of an passive, completely independent energy supply without any energy storage components.
Since the system should be permanently embedded in concrete, it is crucial to develop a long-term stable device which is adapted to the environmental influences of the structure, e.g., long-term resistance in very alkaline environment of pH 13. In numerous experiments, the robustness of the system was tested and evaluated. Various tests with encapsulations to protect the electronics were performed, and for long-term validation different concrete specimens were instrumented with RFID-sensor-systems. Their operating time is now around two years and investigations for signs of fatigue and damage to the encapsulation and the electronics are ongoing.
This paper describes the development of a semi-automatic gas measurement device presenting potentially a broad range of applications, noteworthy in the agricultural sector. Non-reversible fluorescent molecular sensors were designed and syn-thesized. Upon, integration into a hydrogel matrix with an optimal ratio of co-solvents, the sensors reacting selectively to ammonia were illuminated by excitation light to produce a concentration-correlated fluorescence emission. An automated mechanical-elec-trical device initiates a given gas mixture and thus simulates con-centrations similar to a threshold value. The aim of this project is to develop a sensor or a low-cost method which can monitor low concentrations of harmful gases and aid in their elimination or regulation in livestock housing, barns or stables.
The applicability of three methods developed by finite element analysis (FEM) and proposed in the literature are studied on steel S355. Instrumented indentation tests using spherical indenters of radius 200 and 500 μ m are performed in the macro range at depths of more than 6 μ m. The results of the selected methods are compared with the tensile test. To evaluate the partially strongly varying results, the uncertainties of the calculated strain hardening exponent, n, and yield stress, Y, are estimated. Recommendations for an appropriated procedure of the indentation test are given. The machine compliance and the determination of the zero point of Depth play an essential role. If the certain conditions are considered, the instrumented indentation Tests can be used, in particular for investigations of specimens with inhomogeneous elastoplasticity.
Ammonia and its reaction products can cause considerable damage of human health and ecosystems, increasing the necessity for reliable and reversible sensors to monitor traces of gaseous ammonia in ambient air directly on-site or in the field. Although various types of gas sensors are available, fluorescence sensors have gained importance due to advantages such as high sensitivity and facile miniaturization.
Here, we present the development of a sensor material for the detection of gaseous ammonia in the lower ppm to ppb range by incorporation of a fluorescent dye, which shows reversible fluorescence modulations as a function of analyte concentration, into a polymer matrix to ensure the accumulation of ammonia. A gas standard generator producing standard gas mixtures, which comply with the metrological traceability in the desired environmentally relevant measurement range, was used to calibrate the optical sensor system. To integrate the sensor material into a mobile device, a prototype of a hand-held instrument was developed, enabling straightforward data acquisition over a long period.
Damages in infrastructure due to moisture amount to billions of Euros every year. For a more predictive structural health monitoring in civil engineering, the detection and monitoring of hazardous moisture in steel reinforced concrete constructions is of high interest. The sensors have to be wireless, elsewise they weaken the concrete cover of the rebars. The lifetime of such constructions is normally decades, thus the sensors have to be battery-free and fully passive. Considering these requirements, passive RFID-based sensors are developed. Communication and energy supply are realized wireless via the electromagnetic field of a RFID transmitter. The passive RFIDbased sensors are embedded into the concrete to enable the monitoring of moisture transport in porous materials. Results of the hydration process are shown.
Embedded wireless sensor systems for long-term SHM and corrosion detection in concrete components
(2017)
State-of-the-art communication standards like RFID and Bluetooth Low Energy enable the development of sensor systems which can be completely embedded into concrete components for long-term SHM and early damage detection. Objective of the project KonSens which is carried out at BAM is the development, implementation, and validation of sensors for measuring of Parameters relevant for corrosion, like moisture, pH value, and electrical conductivity, inside steel reinforced concrete components. The primarily addressed application is detection and evaluation of corrosion processes in concrete bridges.
In contrast to cable connected sensors, embedded wireless sensors avoid any pathways for Intrusion of moisture and chemicals, e.g., chlorides which could trigger corrosion activity. To allow for long-term, ideally life-time operation, the once embedded sensor systems must work highly energy efficient. One option are passive RFID sensor systems, which work without battery. The energy is transmitted to the system through the electromagnetic field, even to operate sensors. A crucial parameter is the transmission depth in concrete. First experiments with RFID sensors working at frequencies of 13.56 MHz (HF) and 868 MHz (UHF)embedded in concrete specimen resulted positive for transmission depths of up to 13 cm, which is quite promising, considering that corrosion would appear first at the top level of rebars.
A second generation of passive RFID sensor systems has been implemented with improved antenna design. Current experiments using these systems focus on the transmission characteristics in terms of transmission depths and the impact of concrete moisture. Low-energy humidity sensors are used and analysed regarding their capability for measuring the material moisture. Additionally, a relation between transmitted power to the embedded sensor and the moisture content of the concrete specimen caused by energy absorption can be presumed and is under systematic investigation.
Embedded wireless sensor systems for long-term SHM and corrosion detection in concrete components
(2017)
State-of-the-art communication standards like RFID and Bluetooth Low Energy enable the development of sensor systems which can be completely embedded into concrete components for long-term SHM and early damage detection. Objective of the project KonSens which is carried out at BAM is the development, implementation, and validation of sensors for measuring of Parameters relevant for corrosion, like moisture, pH value, and electrical conductivity, inside steel reinforced concrete components. The primarily addressed application is detection and evaluation of corrosion processes in concrete bridges.
In contrast to cable connected sensors, embedded wireless sensors avoid any pathways for intrusion of moisture and chemicals, e.g., chlorides which could trigger corrosion activity. To allow for long-term, ideally life-time operation, the once embedded sensor systems must work highly energy efficient. One option are passive RFID sensor systems, which work without battery. The energy is transmitted to the system through the electromagnetic field, even to operate sensors. A crucial parameter is the transmission depth in concrete. First experiments with RFID sensors working at frequencies of 13.56 MHz (HF) and 868 MHz (UHF) embedded in concrete specimen resulted positive for transmission depths of up to 13 cm, which is quite promising, considering that corrosion would appear first at the top level of rebars.
A second generation of passive RFID sensor systems has been implemented with improved antenna design. Current experiments using these systems focus on the Transmission characteristics in terms of transmission depths and the impact of concrete moisture. Low-energy humidity sensors are used and analysed regarding their capability for measuring the material moisture. Additionally, a relation between transmitted power to the embedded sensor and the moisture content of the concrete specimen caused by energy absorption can be presumed and is under systematic investigation.
Because ammonia and its reaction products can cause considerable damage to human health and ecosystems, there is a need for reliably operating and reversibly interacting sensor materials to monitor traces of gaseous ammonia in ambient air, which at best can be used on-site for in-the-field measurements. Herein, the development of a sensor material for gaseous ammonia in the lower ppm to ppb range using optical fluorescence as transduction mechanism is presented. A fluorescent dye, which shows reversible fluorescence enhancement in the presence of ammonia is incorporated into a polymer matrix, the latter to ensure the accumulation of ammonia. The sensor material is integrated into a prototype of a miniaturized sensor device, facilitating long-term operation. To calibrate the optical sensor system a gas standard generator, producing standard gas mixtures, is used, leading to a sensitivity down to lower ppm concentrations of ammonia.
Pollution through emission of toxic gases is an increasing problem for the environment. It affects similarly agricultural, industrial and urban areas. In future, environmental emissions in ambient air must be monitored at even lower concentrations as nowadays. One environmental relevant compound is ammonia and its conversion product ammonium that have strong negative impact on human health and ecosystems. Most ammonia measurements in ambient air are performed in the range below 1000 nmol·mol-1 and thus there is a need for reliable traceable ammonia gas standards and in addition in situ analytical procedures for monitoring (in ambient air to avoid that thresholds are exceeded). Therefore, the use of reference materials is necessary for development accompanying test or for calibration, e. g. of structure-integrated sensors and mobile multi-gas sensors.
The developed gas standard generator produces gas mixtures that comply with the metrological traceability for ammonia gas standards in the desired environmentally relevant measurement range. The method is based on the permeation of ammonia through a membrane at constant temperature and pressure. The resulting ammonia penetrant gas flow is then mixed with a carrier gas flow to generate a gas standard flow of known concentration. The dynamic rage is enlarged by using a two dilution steps. Depending on the permeation rate, generable molar fractions are possible in the range nmol·mol-1 to a few µmol·mol-1. We present the design of an ammonia gas standard generator and first results of the characterisation of its individual components supporting the uncertainty assessment according to GUM for stable gas concentrations in this range. The relative uncertainty of the generated ammonia gas standard is smaller than 4 % (k = 2).
Innovation is the catalyst for the technology of the future. It is important to develop new and better technologies that can continuously monitor the environmental impact, e.g., for air quality control or emission detection. In the recently at BAM developed Universal Pump Sensor Control (UPSC3) module, different components and sensors are fused. The combination of the individual components makes the UPSC3 module an excellent monitoring and reference system for the development and characterization of gas specific sensors. Measurements over long periods are possible, for mixed gas loads or for certain gas measurements. The system is part of a mobile sensor network of several sensor units, which can also be used as standalone systems.
The motivation and objective of this research is to develop gas sensors based on fluorescence detection with range of ppm / ppb. For this task a reference system is required, which contains volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors for reference data from different scenarios. The integrated multi-sensor unit can measure different gases through the integrated 3-fold VOC sensor, which can be adapted to the addressed scenario. . The system-integrated flow control, with pump and flow sensor, allows the gas molecules to be transported directly to the VOC sensor. The entire measurement is permanently stored on an integrated memory card. If the previously determined limit range is exceeded, an alarm is generated. The system is an important tool towards further developments in the field of gas sensors and is primarily used for the validation of chemically based gas sensors.
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of these kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing. Spectroscopic measurement methods for remote sensing of selected gases lend themselves for use on mini-copters, which offer a number of advantages for inspection and surveillance over traditional methods. No direct contact with the target gas is needed and thus the influence of the aerial platform on the measured gas plume can be kept to a minimum. This allows to overcome one of the major issues with gas-sensitive mini-copters. On the other hand, remote gas sensors, most prominently Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensors have been too bulky given the payload and energy restrictions of mini-copters. Here, we present the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), which combines a novel lightweight TDLAS sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile hexacopter. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available robots and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO). It enables tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes and a localization of gas sources. We also present first results showing its performance under realistic conditions.
Fluorescence based sensing is a versatile approach for the trace analysis outside of the laboratory, requiring suitable sensor materials and their integration into sensing devices. The versatility of fluorophores as probes, especially in terms of the possibility to tailor their optical as well as their recognition properties by synthetic modifications in a wide range, renders them a superior active component for the preparation of optical sensor devices. Recent works at BAM in this field include, for example, the detection of nerve gas agents, illustrating impressively the aforementioned benefits of fluorophores in optical sensing applications.
In the interdisciplinary approach presented here, we target hazardous gases such as ammonia, benzene, and hydrogen sulfide, next to others, which pose a major threat to human health and environmental safety and for which the availability of a sensitive and reliable detection method is highly desirable.
The dyes presented follow a “turn-on” fluorescence schematic which allows for the selective and sensitive detection of the respective gaseous analyte. The immobilization of the probe in polymeric matrices is then the next step toward the fabrication of a prototype device for molecular sensing.
Geogenic gases such as CH4 or CO2 from natural sources, gases (CCS-CO2, H2, Natural
gas, City gas …) from a geological repository, or a leaking gas pipeline can present serious
risks in industrial and urban areas where the density of infrastructural elements increases as
well as above and below ground. To extend the lead time for risk treatment in such critical
regions, reliable detection of gases within the shallow subsurface is required to observe
critical gas accumulations before degassing into the atmosphere.
A near real-time monitoring approach is introduced to determine the volumetric expansion of
such a gas escaping from a leak in the subsurface. Considering the pressure relaxation with
the ambient air pressure, the approach enables the forecasting of the final size of a
pressurized gas body in terms of characteristic lengths. According to theoretical basics, such
a characteristic length, which allows to perform a gas (safety) measurement based on a
purely geometrical measure, behaves independently of subsurface properties, i.e., it enables
a reliable quantification of the escaping gas, irrespective of its heterogeneous flow path
distribution. A field test for a 10 l/min pinhole leakage of CO2 injected in an unsaturated Chernozemic soil (agricultural test field Bad Lauchstädt)that was equipped with linear gas sensors demonstrates the lateral-vertical volumetric gas expansion along the environment of these gas sensors, and confirms the applicability of the new characteristic length approach.
This paper describes a wireless mobile prototype able to perform optical measurements by means of a miniatur-ized spectrometer for low light analysis, e.g. fluorescent sensors. Evaluations, calculations, calibration management and result display are performed by a computer or a standard tablet. The device was designed primarily to detect traces of oil in drinking or ground water and for the analyses of crude oils. However, it can also address a wide range of fluorescent sensors. The fast and user-friendly inspection of water quality or oil properties, as well as the adaptability and mobility, make the device attractive for a variety of users. Further application areas could be easily imple-mented by adapting the optics and the software (database, data processing and calibration plots, etc.)
Small unmanned aircraft (UA) are used increasingly as flying sensor platforms. Amongst other things they are used for environmental monitoring, for example gas distribution mapping. Sometimes, these applications require knowledge of the ambient wind field, which can be measured by additional devices like anemometers. In general, it would be interesting to avoid such additional apparatuses. One way to achieve this is to estimate the wind vector, that is both the wind direction and speed, from the state variables of the UA.
This study presents the characterization of a piezoresistive accelerometer damped with silicon oil for the application in drop tests carried out at BAM. Experiments were performed with the Hopkinson Bar method in close correlation to the real-world application conditions. The results point out certain limitations regarding the temperature influence and the frequency response. Additional experiments were performed with a gas damped type of piezoresistive accelerometer, which has superior specifications, particularly for low temperatures. The results allow for a comparison.
Leaking methane from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of these kind of leaks, BAM developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing. Spectroscopic measurement methods for remote sensing of selected gases lend themselves for use on mini-copters, which offer a number of advantages for inspection and surveillance over traditional methods. No direct contact with the target gas is needed and thus the influence of the copter downwash on the measured gas plume can be kept to a minimum. This allows to overcome one of the major issues with gas-sensitive mini-copters. On the other hand, remote gas sensors, most prominently Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensors have been too bulky given the payload and energy restrictions of mini-copters. Here, we present the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), which combines a novel lightweight TDLAS sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile multicopter. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available systems and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO). It enables tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes and a localization of gas sources. We also present first results showing its performance under realistic conditions.
Emissions of ammonia into the environment are mainly caused by agriculture, but also by combustion processes in waste and by road traffic. Even at low concentrations, this substance is not only an odour nuisance, but also a substance with ecological and climatic relevance. Therefore, BAM tested commercial electrochemical, and metal oxide based sensors, which have limited suitability for measuring in the environmental molar fraction range. Alternatively, own developments for the detection of ammonia in the trace range were implemented, wherein the analyte is measured by changing the fluorescence of a BODIPY dye at 550 nm by means of a portable fluorescence sensor directly from the gas phase. For the calibration of ammonia sensors and measuring instruments, a stationary system based on the mixture of certified test gases from pressure cylinders with calibrated mass flow controllers is available. A test gas generator was developed for on-site calibration and testing of sensors and measuring devices. The generation of ammonia-containing gases in the environmental relevant range of levels below 1000 nmol/mol is carried out by the permeation method according to ISO 6145-10. For the traceability of ammonia, standards are provided and further developed by the National Metrological Institutes and designated institutes. Metrological standards are based on SI units and are a basis for traceability of sensors or gas analysers.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has become very important in today's rapidly developing time. High buildings, large bridges and complex technical structures need to be monitored continuously and this over long periods.
Visual monitoring cannot evaluate the internal condition of building structures. Thus, material embedded sensors are needed. Cable connection of these sensors pose the disadvantage of weak spots and water intrusion. For concrete embedded sensors the use of batteries is not convenient, because of limited lifetime, difficult charging, and generation of electrical waste.. Hence, monitoring should be implemented preferentially with firmly embedded passive RFID sensor modules. However, since the concrete structure forms an electromagnetically reflective and absorbing barrier, only limited energy can be transmitted to the module. This project requires a highly energy-saving system, which can record different sensor parameters at critical points.
An auto-validation tool for the reliability quantification of materials integrated fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors have been developed and tested. The FBG strain sensor was jacketed with a magnetostrictive layer based on iron-nickel which, when excited by a specific magnetic field, adds an artificial strain to the sensor. The fixed relationship between magnetic induction and wavelength shift of the FBG strain sensor characterizes the bond strength and adhesion between the sensor and the surrounding structure. Due to an easily applicable magnetic field, it is possible to validate the sensor performance in a non-contact, fast way without disturbing the data-acquisition process.
A 400 m2 soil test field with gas injection system was built up, which enables an experimental validation of linear membrane-based gas sensors – a sensor technology which was developed based on the selective permeation of gases through membranes. Several soil watering and injection experiments with carbon dioxide at different days with varying boundary conditions were performed showing that the sensor behaves mostly insensitive to the environmental conditions investigated, i.e., barometric pressure fluctuations, soil temperature, air temperature and humidity, sun duration, and wind speed. Furthermore, depending on water infiltration, a gas phase displacement could be observed in-situ based on the changed measurement signal. The results of the validation experiments highlight the potential of the method for rapid leak detection and localization qualifying the sensor particularly for safety applications, e.g., in underground gas storage areas.
This paper is a further research on the topic of the complete embedding of radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors in concrete. The focus is on the antenna of the transponder. Earlier investigations of different RFID technologies, embedded in concrete, showed a difference in energy transmission. The transmission through concrete at ultra high frequency (UHF), in spite of the large signal range, does not match the targeted application specific task. Therefore, the antenna characteristics have been examined more closely. The antenna is an important component for the application of RFID. Through the antenna, energy and data transfer takes place, so it is important to design an optimal antenna to accomplish a maximum embedding depths in concrete. To identify the optimal antenna geometry, different UHF antenna types were selected and investigated. An experimental comparison was performed to gain more information about the damping behavior and antenna characteristics in concrete.
Piezoresistive accelerometers use a strainsensing element, generally made of semiconductor material, e.g., silicon to convert the mechanical motion into an electrical signal. This element is usually designed in form of a cantilever beam loaded with a mass. Acceleration causes bending
of the beam, which produces a change of electrical resistance proportional to the applied acceleration.
Main advantages of piezoresistive accelerometers in comparison to other types, e.g., piezoelectric and capacitive, is their robust and highly dynamic behavior, which qualifies them for application in high impact shock applications. Mechanical damping is typically implemented with silicon oil in a way that the output signal is undistorted over a wide frequency range. These characteristics principally qualify them for the application in drop tests carried out at BAM, for which they are calibrated over the frequency range from 1 to 4 kHz. However, using silicon oil for damping, has the drawback of temperature dependent change of its viscosity, leading to temperature dependent deviation of the accelerometer’s sensitivity. This study presents experimental results of the temperature behavior of a piezoresistive accelerometer with a dynamic range up to ±5000 g.
This type of accelerometer is applied for drop tests which are partially performed at temperatures of -40 or +100 °C.
This paper deals with the development and investi-gation of a volatile organic compound (VOC) system for differ-ent scenarios. The integrated multi-sensor unit can detect dif-ferent gases through the integrated 3-fold VOC sensor, where-by a continuous measurement takes place. The system-integrated flow control, with pump and flow sensor, allows the gas molecules to be transported directly to the VOC sensor. The entire measurement is permanently stored on an integrat-ed Secure Digital (SD) card. If the previously determined limit range is exceeded, an alarm is generated. Due to the combina-tion of different components, numerous applications are possi-ble. The system is the first step or a tool towards further devel-opments in the field of gas sensors and is primarily used for the validation of chemically based gas sensors, and it is still largely extended by application-specific influences.
Piezoresistive accelerometers use a strain-sensing element, generally made of semiconductor material, e.g., silicon to convert the mechanical motion into an electrical signal. This element is usually designed in form of a cantilever beam loaded with a mass. Acceleration causes bending of the beam, which produces a change of electrical resistance proportional to the applied acceleration.
Main advantages of piezoresistive accelerometers in comparison to other types, e.g., piezoelectric and capacitive, is their robust and highly dynamic behavior, which qualifies them for application in high impact shock applications. Mechanical damping is typically implemented with silicon oil in a way that the output signal is undistorted over a wide frequency range. These characteristics principally qualify them for the application in drop tests carried out at BAM, for which they are calibrated over the frequency range from 1 to 4 kHz. However, using silicon oil for damping, has the drawback of temperature dependent change of its viscosity, leading to temperature dependent deviation of the accelerometer’s sensitivity.
This study presents experimental results of the temperature behavior of a piezoresistive accelerometer with a dynamic range up to ±5000 g.
This type of accelerometer is applied for drop tests which are partially performed at temperatures of -40 or +100 °C.
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of These kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing - the so-called Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS).
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
In this paper, we present an autonomous aerial robot to reconstruct tomographic 2D slices of gas plumes in outdoor environments. Our platform, the so-called Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS) combines a lightweight Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile octocopter. The TDLAS sensor provides integral gas concentration measurements but no information regarding the distance traveled by the laser diode's beam or the distribution of the gas along the optical path. We complemented the set-up with a laser rangefinder and apply principles of Computed Tomography (CT) to create a model of the spatial gas distribution from these integral concentration measurements. To allow for a rudimentary ground truth evaluation of the applied gas tomography algorithm, we set up a unique outdoor test environment based on two 3D ultrasonic anemometers and a distributed array of 10 infrared gas transmitters. We present first results showing the 2D plume reconstruction capabilities of the system under realistic conditions.
An equation for wind vector estimation using a multirotor aircraft as a flying anemometer is shown. To compute the wind vector an estimate of the thrust of the aircraft is required, which is related to the rotational speed of the rotors. Hence, a sensing system for the rotational speed using phototransistors is presented.
QI-Digital is a joined project aiming at digitalising Quality Infrastructure (QI) processes involving standardization, conformity assessment, accreditation, metrology, and market surveillance [1]. Federal institute of material research and testing (BAM) is working on the creation of a digital calibration certifi-cate (DCC) to achieve digital metrological traceability and conformity assessment. The utilisation of machine readable and executable DCCs in the XML format is demonstrated on an example of a tem-perature measurement at a hydrogen refueling station. The certificates will be retrieved and analysed automatically at a Process Control System or at a Digital Twin.
Monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure are of great importance, as any undetected damage can cause high repair costs, unintended deadtime, or endanger structural integrity. The inspection of large concrete structures such as bridges and parking lots is particularly challenging and time-consuming. Traditional methods are mostly manual and involve mapping a grid of measurement lines to record the position of each measurement. Current semi-automated methods, on the other hand, use GPS or tachymeters for localization but still require trained personnel to operate. An entirely automated approach using mobile robots would be more cost- and time-efficient. While there have been developments in using GPS-enabled mobile robots for bridge inspection, the weak signal strength in indoor areas poses a challenge for the automated inspection of structures such as parking lots. This paper aims to develop a solution for the automated inspection of large indoor concrete structures by addressing the problem of robot localization in indoor spaces and the automated measurement of concrete cover and rebar detection.
Monitoring and maintenance of civil infrastructure are of great importance, as any undetected damage can cause high repair costs, unintended deadtime, or endanger structural integrity. The inspection of large concrete structures such as bridges and parking lots is particularly challenging and time-consuming. Traditional methods are mostly manual and involve mapping a grid of measurement lines to record the position of each measurement. Current semi-automated methods, on the other hand, use GPS or tachymeters for localization but still require trained personnel to operate. An entirely automated approach using mobile robots would be more cost- and time-efficient. While there have been developments in using GPS-enabled mobile robots for bridge inspection, the weak signal strength in indoor areas poses a challenge for the automated inspection of structures such as parking lots. This paper aims to develop a solution for the automated inspection of large indoor concrete structures by addressing the problem of robot localization in indoor spaces and the automated measurement of concrete cover and rebar detection.
Contamination of natural bodies of water or soil with oils and lubricants (or generally, hydrocarbon derivatives such as petrol, fuels, and others) is a commonly found phenomenon around the world due to the extensive production, transfer, and use of fossil fuels. In this work, we develop a simple system for the on-field detection of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in water and soil. The test is based on the measurement of the fluorescence signal emitted by the molecular rotor 2-[ethyl[4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]phenyl]amino]ethanol (4-DNS-OH). This dye is embedded in a hydrophobic polymeric matrix (polyvinylidene fluoride), avoiding interactions with water and providing a robust support for use in a test strip fashion. Together with the strips, an embedded optical system was designed for fluorescence signal read-out, featuring a Bluetooth low-energy connection to a commercial tablet device for data processing and analysis. This system works for the detection and quantification of TPHs in water and soil through a simple extraction protocol using a cycloalkane solvent with a limit of detection of 6 ppm. Assays in surface and sea waters were conclusive, proving the feasibility of the method for in-the-field operation.
With the reduction of large oil spills because of stricter regulations and safety measures, the question of how to manage smaller oil spills arises. Few on-site analytical tools are available for first responders or other law enforcement personnel to rapidly test for crude oil in the early management of localized polluted areas. The approach reported here relies on well-described computer-assisted multivariate data analysis of the intrinsic fluorescence fingerprints of crude oils to build a multivariate model for the rapid classification of crude oils and the prediction of their properties. Thanks to a dedicated robust portable reader, the method allowed classification and accurate prediction of various properties of crude oil samples like density (according to API, the American Petroleum Institute and viscosity as well as composition parameters such as volume fractions of paraffins or aromatics. In this way, autonomous operation in on-site or in-the-field applications becomes possible based on the direct (undiluted and untreated) measurement of samples and a rapid, tablet-operated readout system to yield a robust and simple analytical test with superior performance. Testing in real-life scenarios allowed the successful classification and prediction of a number of oil spill samples as well as weathered samples that closely resemble samples collected by first responders.
Polymeric nanocomposites are discussed as one of the most promising advanced materials whose nanoscale effects can be exploited for industry. Layered silicate polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride nanocomposites are investigated as a model to clarify the potential of such materials in terms of fire retardancy. The nanostructure is characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and shear viscosity. The fire behavior is characterized using different external heat fluxes in cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index and UL 94 classification. A comprehensive fire behavior characterization is presented which enables an assessment of the materials’ potential with respect to different fire scenarios and fire tests. The influence of morphology and the active mechanisms are discussed, such as barrier formation and changed melt viscosity. To our knowledge, it is the first attempt to illuminate the concept’s strengths, such as the reduction of flame spread, and weaknesses, such as the lack of influence on ignitability, in a clear, comprehensive and detailed manner.
Thermogravimetry (TG), thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectroscopy (TG-MS) and thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) were used to characterise the thermo-oxidative behaviour of two intumescent coating materials. The temperature dependence, the corresponding volatile products and the amount of residue of the different processes were determined. Using both TG-MS and TG-FTIR results in an unambiguous interpretation of the volatile products. Characteristics such as the influence of endothermic reactions, the release of non-flammable gases, the dehydrogenation enhancing the char formation and the stability of the cellular char were discussed in detail. It was demonstrated, that TG, TG-MS and TG-FTIR are powerful methods to investigate mechanisms in intumescent coatings and that they are suitable methods in respect to quality assurance and unambiguous identification of such materials.
The influence of different organobentonites on the decomposition and the combustion behaviour of an epoxy resin were examined. The epoxy resin is a cationically polymerised cycloaliphatic epoxy resin flexibilised with poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF), with hydroxyl endgroups. The bentonite was modified with either an ammonium or a phosphonium salt. The thermal decomposition of the PTHF induced by the initiator, used for the cationic polymerisation, did neither take place for the nanocomposite based on the ammonium bentonite nor for that based on the phosphonium bentonite. This improved decomposition characteristic lead to a larger time to ignition for both kinds of nanocomposites compared to the not modified polymer, which is not the case for other polymer/clay nanocomposites described in the literature. The fire behaviour was investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), a horizontal burner test and a cone calorimeter. The forced flaming conditions in the cone calorimeter were varied using different external heat fluxes between 30 and 70 kW · m-2. The fire behaviour of the nanocomposites was improved in comparison to the polymer, and phosphonium bentonite was superior to ammonium bentonite. The main mechanism is a barrier formation resulting in a reduction of the fire growth rate, which was more pronounced in the case of high external heat fluxes.
Polymeric intumescent coatings are fire protective materials that increase their thermal resistance when exposed to high temperatures to prevent building structures from damage. The idea of the investigation was to develop a simple test method to determine the time dependent thermal conductivity of intumescent coatings. Therefore steel plates were coated with two different intumescent systems. During cone calorimeter tests the temperature at the back side of the coated plates was measured. These results were used to calculate the time dependent thermal resistance of the protective layer with the simulation program IOPT2D for different external heat fluxes and different layer thickness.
The exploration of condensed phase mechanisms such as charring and intumescence has been pushed forward in the last decades, since it is believed that focusing on these concepts will bring materials closer to an efficient and ecologically friendly fire retardancy. They promise to concentrate efficient fire retardancy at the key position between pyrolysis zone and gas phase. Examples of residue/char forming and intumescent materials are used to illustrate the influence of mass and heat barrier effects on the fire behavior of materials and general results are presented. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and structure-property relationships in fire retardancy is presented.
The cone calorimeter has become one of the most important and widely used instruments for the research and development of fire retarded polymeric materials. The paper addresses three important ways in which the principal setup influences the results factors which sometimes do not receive due consideration when drawing conclusions. The paper discusses in detail the impact on cone calorimeter results of the choice of external heat flux, the influence on the peak of heat release rate of sample thickness and thermal feedback from the back of the sample, and the influence on irradiance of the horizontal and vertical distances from the cone heater.
Nanocomposites of bisphenol A polycarbonate with 2, 4, 6, and 15 wt% multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and their use in fire retardancy are investigated. Their thermal behavior and pyrolysis are characterized using thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimeter, oscillatory shear rheology, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The flammability is addressed using LOI and UL 94; the fire behavior, with a cone calorimeter using different irradiation. With increasing MWNT content the storage modulus is increased (10-20%) and melt viscosity increases by several orders of magnitude, particularly for low shear rates. The melt flow, dripping, and deformation during fire are hindered, which influences UL 94 and cone calorimeter results. The peak heat release rate is reduced up to 40-50% due to an improved barrier for small amounts (2 wt%) of MWNT and for low irradiation, whereas the effect is reduced for increasing irradiation and nearly vanishes for increasing filling. Adjuvant but also deleterious mechanisms result in the complex dependency on the MWNT content. Significant flame retardancy effects are specific and limited to only some fire properties. This study allows the materials' potential for implementation in different fire scenarios and tests to be assessed and provides insight into active mechanisms.
Barrier formation and increasing the melt viscosity are addressed as the two main general fire retardancy mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites. They result in specific impacts on fire properties that consequentially cause varying flame retardancy efficiency in different fire tests. The barrier formation retards mainly flame spread (peak of heat release rate) in developing fires, but does not reduce fire load (total heat evolved), ignitability or flammability (limiting oxygen index, UL 94). Furthermore, this flame retardancy effect increases with increasing irradiation and vanishes with decreasing irradiation. The increased melt viscosity prevents dripping, which is beneficial or disadvantageous depending on the fire test used. In some test, it become the dominant influence, transforming self-extinguishing samples into flammable materials or causing wicking. Advantages and the limits are sketched comprehensively for exploiting the main general fire retardancy mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites. It is concluded that barrier formation and changing the melt viscosity in nanocomposites are not sufficient for most applications, but must be accompanied by additional mechanisms in special systems or in combination with other flame retardants.
Implementation and validation of robot-enabled embedded sensors for structural health monitoring
(2024)
In the past decades, structural health monitoring (SHM) has matured into a viable supplement to regular inspections, facilitating the execution of repair and maintenance work in the early stages of structural damage. With the advent of wireless technologies and advancements in information and communication technologies, civil infrastructure has been increasingly instrumented with wireless sensor nodes to record, analyze, and communicate data relevant to SHM. A promising method for SHM is to embed sensors directly into concrete for recording SHM data from inside structural elements. In this paper, a sensor system for embedment into concrete is proposed, able to assess SHM data recorded from concrete. Power is supplied to the sensors on-demand by quadruped robots, which also collect the SHM data via radio-frequency identification (RFID), providing an automated and efficient SHM process. In laboratory experiments, the capability of the sensor system of automatically collecting the SHM data using quadruped robots is validated. In summary, the integration of RFID technology and robot-based inspection presented in this study demonstrates a vital approach to evolve current SHM practices towards more digitalized and automated SHM.
Remote gas sensors mounted on mobile robots enable the mapping of gas distributions in large or hardly accessible areas. A challenging task, however, is the generation of threedimensional distribution maps from these gas measurements.
Suitable reconstruction algorithms can be adapted, for instance, from the field of computed tomography (CT), but both their performance and strategies for selecting optimal measuring poses must be evaluated. For this purpose simulations are used, since, in contrast to field tests, they allow repeatable conditions. Although several simulation tools exist, they lack realistic models of remote gas sensors. Recently, we introduced a model for a Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) gas sensor taking into account the conical shape of its laser beam. However, the novel model has not yet been validated with experiments. In this paper, we compare our model with a real sensor device and show that the assumptions made hold.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an important part of buildings surveillance and maintenance to detect material failure as early as possible and to contribute in protection of structures and their users.
The implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor systems without cable connection and battery into building components offers innovative possibilities to enable long-term in-situ SHM of addressed structures, bridges. The objectives of the presented study are complete embedding of RFID sensors systems in concrete, full passive communication with the systems, at best for the whole life span of structures. One challenge for this task is the highly alkaline environment in concrete, which requires non-degrading and robust encapsulation. Further Requirements are passive communication and energy supply, appropriate antenna design, placement and fixation in concrete, and the selection and implementation of sensors and connections. The concept is to develop and optimize a simple and robust system, which meets the requirements, as well as comprehensive validation in concrete specimen and real world applications. Two different systems were developed (HF and UHF RFID, respectively).
First tasks were the implementation of analog sensors using the superposition principle for the signal adaption. Investigation of suitable materials for robust encapsulation and sensor protection against basic environments.
Four materials were investigated in pH 13 solution for 14 days
- 3D-Printer-Polymer was completely resolved
- PVC has no noticeable decrease in weight
- (VitaPro) glass filter for the sensor protector, has weight loss 2.7 %
- The epoxy resin has increased by 1.8 % due to moisture expansion
Different concrete samples were prepared for the validation of the systems.
RFID sensors were embedded in different integration depths. Investigate the energy- and data transfer through concrete, also with varying moisture content. Additionally, signal strength data was used to optimize and validate the antenna characteristics in concrete. Next steps are to guarantee a sufficient energy supply for UHF RFID systems embedded in different concrete mixtures and further embedding the HF and UHF RFID systems in real bridges and buildings to validate the long term monitoring.
Remote gas sensors mounted on mobile robots enable the mapping of gas distributions in large or hardly accessible areas. A challenging task, however, is the generation of threedimensional distribution maps from these gas measurements.
Suitable reconstruction algorithms can be adapted, for instance, from the field of computed tomography (CT), but both their performance and strategies for selecting optimal measuring poses must be evaluated. For this purpose simulations are used, since, in contrast to field tests, they allow repeatable conditions. Although several simulation tools exist, they lack realistic models of remote gas sensors. Recently, we introduced a model for a Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) gas sensor taking into account the conical shape of its laser beam. However, the novel model has not yet been validated with experiments. In this paper, we compare our model with a real sensor device and show that the assumptions made hold.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an important topic for Industry 4.0. More and more systems are embedded in different materials and are connected to each other. To embed sensors for a long time in concrete, an exact preparation is required. In this paper, we identify Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) as promising technology for monitoring of concrete structures. This paper present the concept for long term monitoring, defines the requirements and shows first development steps, for example, the system design, the possibilities of sensor connection, and an encapsulation for embedding in concrete.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an important part of buildings surveillance and maintenance to detect material failure as early as possible and to contribute in protection of structures and their users.
The implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor systems without cable connection and battery into building components offers innovative possibilities to enable long-term in-situ SHM of addressed structures, bridges. The objectives of the presented study are complete embedding of RFID sensors systems in concrete, full passive communication with the systems, at best for the whole life span of structures. One challenge for this task is the highly alkaline environment in concrete, which requires non-degrading and robust encapsulation. Further Requirements are passive communication and energy supply, appropriate antenna design, placement and fixation in concrete, and the selection and implementation of sensors and connections. The concept is to develop and optimize a simple and robust system, which meets the requirements, as well as comprehensive validation in concrete specimen and real world applications. Two different systems were developed (HF and UHF RFID, respectively).
First tasks were the implementation of analog sensors using the superposition principle for the signal adaption. Investigation of suitable materials for robust encapsulation and sensor protection against basic environments.
Four materials were investigated in pH 13 solution for 14 days
- 3D-Printer-Polymer was completely resolved
- PVC has no noticeable decrease in weight
- (VitaPro) glass filter for the sensor protector, has weight loss 2.7 %
- The epoxy resin has increased by 1.8 % due to moisture expansion
Different concrete samples were prepared for the validation of the systems.
RFID sensors were embedded in different integration depths. Investigate the energy- and data transfer through concrete, also with varying moisture content. Additionally, signal strength data was used to optimize and validate the antenna characteristics in concrete. Next steps are to guarantee a sufficient energy supply for UHF RFID systems embedded in different concrete mixtures and further embedding the HF and UHF RFID systems in real bridges and buildings to validate the long term monitoring.