To improve the ultrasonic imaging of composites, an all-printed nanocomposite sensor array (APNSA) is developed using a direct-write approach. Individual sensing elements of APNSA are inkjet printed by directly writing graphene/poly (amic acid) (PAA)-based nanocomposite ink on Kapton film substrates, with an ultra-thin thickness of ∼1 μm only. APNSA is morphologically tuned at a nano scale to be sensitive to acousto-ultrasonic waves of a broad band regime. Each sensing element features a homogenous and consolidated nanostructure, with which transient change of tunneling resistance between adjacent graphene nanoplatelets in the polyimide (PI) matrix can be triggered when the element is loaded with acousto-ultrasonic waves. The triggered quantum tunneling effect endows APNSA with capability to perceive dynamic strains in a broadband regime with high fidelity and accuracy. Compared with a conventional ultrasonic phased array which is of a low degree of compatibility with composites, APNSA can be fully integrated with the inspected composites. In conjunction with the use of the additively manufactured APNSA, ultrasonic imaging of composites can be implemented, spotlighting a nature of full integration of APNSA with composites for in situ structural health monitoring and anomaly detection, yet without degrading the original integrity of the composites.

为了改善复合材料的超声成像，使用直接写入方法开发了全印刷纳米复合传感器阵列 (APNSA)。APNSA 的单个传感元件是通过直接在 Kapton 薄膜基材上书写石墨烯/聚酰胺酸 (PAA) 基纳米复合墨水进行喷墨打印的，超薄厚度仅为 1 μm。APNSA 在纳米尺度上进行形态学调整，以对宽带区域的声超声波敏感。每个传感元件均具有均质且坚固的纳米结构，当元件加载声超声波时，可以触发聚酰亚胺（PI）基质中相邻石墨烯纳米片之间隧道电阻的瞬态变化。触发的量子隧道效应使 APNSA 能够以高保真度和准确度感知宽带区域中的动态应变。与传统的超声相控阵相比，与复合材料的相容性低，APNSA可以与被检测的复合材料完全集成。结合使用增材制造的 APNSA，可以实现复合材料的超声成像，突出 APNSA 与复合材料完全集成的性质，用于原位 结构健康监测和异常检测，但不会降低复合材料的原始完整性。