Methods and systems for sensing deformation

A method comprising:

• amplifying a first relative movement between a first location and a second location on a surface using a first frame and a second frame mechanically coupled to the first and second locations respectively and mechanically coupled to each other at a pin joint, wherein a first distance between the pin joint and a first line passing through the first end of the first frame and the first end of the second frame is less than a second distance between the pin joint and a second line passing through the second end of the first frame and the second end of the second frame;
• generating a second relative movement resulting from the amplification of the first relative movement by the support unit;
• varying an electrical property of an electrical component using the second relative movement;
• and
• detecting a deformation of the surface using an amount of variation in the electrical property.

A sensing system comprising:

• a plurality of support units each comprising a first frame and a second frame, wherein a first end of each first frame and a first end of each second frame are configured to mechanically couple to a surface;
• a pin joint configured to mechanically couple each first frame to each corresponding second frame, such that a first relative movement between the first end of the first frame and the first end of the corresponding second frame is amplified to a second relative movement between a second end of the first frame and a second end of the corresponding second frame, wherein a first distance between the pin joint and a first line passing through the first end of the first frame and the first end of the second frame is less than a second distance between the pin joint and a second line passing through the second end of the first frame and the second end of the second frame;
• and
• a sensor mechanically coupled to second ends of the plurality of the first frames and second ends of the plurality of the second frames, the sensor configured to sense the second relative movement.