US Patent 8684595 Systems and methods for structural sensing

Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network. In some embodiments, a first temperature of the network and/or structural elements can be determined (e.g., via a sensor associated with the electrical circuit). This first temperature can be, in some cases, indicative of a mechanical characteristic of the structural element. In some embodiments, one or more mechanical characteristics of the structural element can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of the first temperature of the structural element.