Lignin-based electrically conductive layer for structural health monitoring and self-repair of bonded joints

Abstract

A system for repairing a structural joint includes: a first structural component and a second structural component; a thermoplastic material positioned at a joint interface between the first and second structural components, wherein the thermoplastic material provides structural bonding of the first and second structural components; a layer of lignin-based electrically conductive carbonaceous materials embedded within the thermoplastic material at the joint interface; an electrical measurement system coupled to the layer of lignin-based electrically conductive carbonaceous material and configured to measure an electrical property of the layer for detecting damage to the thermoplastic material; a power system configured to deliver an electrical current to the layer of lignin-based electrically conductive carbonaceous material to locally heat and repair the thermoplastic material at the joint interface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.