SpaceSkin: development of aerospace-grade electronic textile for simultaneous protection and high velocity impact characterization

Juliana Cherston; Joseph A. Paradiso

doi:10.1117/12.2513962

27 March 2019 SpaceSkin: development of aerospace-grade electronic textile for simultaneous protection and high velocity impact characterization

Juliana Cherston, Joseph A. Paradiso

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10970, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2019; 109700J (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2513962
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of an aerospace-grade electronic textile and summarizes design studies and early prototype development for on-fabric hypervelocity impact characterization. Whereas most damage detection technologies for aerospace systems rely on enhancements to the structure's inner shell, the outermost protective skin of a space habitat or a spacesuit - traditionally a woven fabric - is directly exposed to the relevant environment. Therefore, we propose weaving sensory fibers into traditional fibrous aerospace skins for direct measurement of local conditions, yielding a material that can simultaneously sense and protect. Specifically, this paper documents design considerations for multifunctional Beta cloth, in which piezoelectric yarn is directly woven into Teflon-coated fiberglass, the material used as the outermost skin of the International Space Station. A review of hypervelocity plasma generation then motivates a strawman design for on-textile plasma charge and RF emission sensing, which may be useful for further characterization of hypervelocity impactors. An aerospace-grade electronic textile is distinct from a traditional e-textile in that it must be validated not only for its sensing capabilities but also for its robustness to hazards presented in a space environment.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Juliana Cherston and Joseph A. Paradiso "SpaceSkin: development of aerospace-grade electronic textile for simultaneous protection and high velocity impact characterization", Proc. SPIE 10970, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2019, 109700J (27 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2513962

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