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Research that eliminates the guesswork in developing advanced 3D printed materials could help accelerate the development of new forms of "self-sensing" airplanes, robots, bridges and more.

A team of engineers led by researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed the first system capable of modeling the complex physics of 3D-printed composites capable of detecting strain, load, and damage using nothing more than a measure of electrical current.

By allowing material scientists to predict in advance for the first time how new structures can be fine-tuned to produce specific combinations of strength, stiffness, and self-sensing properties, it could help catalyze the development of revolutionary new applications for the technology.

In the aerospace and automotive sectors, new materials produced using the team's insights could enable real-time monitoring of structural integrity in aircraft, spacecraft, and vehicle components, enhancing safety and maintenance efficiency.

For civil engineering, these materials could enable developments in smart infrastructure by providing continuous assessment of the structures of bridges, tunnels, and high-rise buildings, highlighting problems long before they lead to collapse. They could offer similar benefits for robots at work in automated manufacturing, or even help soldiers on the battlefield keep tabs on the integrity of their body armor plates.

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