Physical Alterations of CSG Using Auto CAD

For this project, we are developing a flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) based sensor system for real-time strain sensing in support of NASA missions. This FHE system utilizes a novel, capacitive strain gauge suitable for high strain environments, which are experienced by inflatable habitats and parachutes. These inflatable structures require monitoring systems for both ground and flight testing to measure the loading on these fabric materials. The ideal sensor for these systems should be flexible and provide a reliable method to improve the strain measurement. Our FHE based sensors are developed with capacitive strain gauges fabricated in the lab using silver nanoparticle inks. The strain gauge devices are directly printed on Kapton (flexible) substrates using aerosol jet printing. While we have had some success with the development of our strain gauges, we need to improve the signal from the devices. Current devices produce a signal of about 1pF, which we want to increase to 10pF by altering the physical dimensions of the strain gauge. We demonstrate this improvement in the device signal by altering the strain gauge design using AutoCAD for design.