Non-differential elastomer curvature sensor

A curvature sensor comprising:

• a first plate having a length dimension and width dimension and at least one channel extending along a channel axis parallel to the length dimension of the first plate;
• a second plate having a length dimension and width dimension, the second plate being fastened to the first plate along a first axis parallel to the length dimension of the first plate and along a second axis parallel to the length dimension of the first plate;
• a strut separating the first plate from the second plate, the strut extending along an axis parallel to the channel axis, whereby bending the first plate causes the strut to apply pressure on the channel;
• and
• wherein the channel includes a conductive liquid material having an electrical resistance that changes when the strut applies pressure on the channel.

A system for measuring a change in curvature of a surface, the system comprising:

• a computer system having a computer processor and associated memory, the memory including memory for storing data and computer programs;
• a curvature sensor having a first plate separated from a second plate by a strut, the strut extending along a strut axis and the first plate and the second plate being fastened together along a first portion extending along a first axis substantially parallel to the strut axis and along a second portion extending along a second axis substantially parallel to the strut axis, the first plate including a channel extending along a channel axis extending substantially parallel to the strut axis;
• the channel including a conductive liquid material having an electrical resistance that changes when the strut applies pressure on the channel;
• and
• an interface module connecting the conductive liquid in the channel to the computer system, whereby changes in curvature of the curvature sensor cause signals representative of the change in electrical resistance of the conductive liquid to be transferred to the computer.