Silk Strain Sensor is Super Sensitive

Mar-18-17 A new silk sensor that changes color under strain could help usher in the next generation of high-performance materials.

The team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology created the sensor by attaching a dye called rhodamine spirolactam (RS) to a composite of silk fibers and epoxy. Applying strain or pressure to the lightweight material causes the RS to fluoresce in a way that can be detected by a red laser and microscope, even at the most minute amount.

The NIST team hopes their sensors could help lead to the development of safer, more rugged composites.

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