This research focuses on the development of a material state change detection system by incorporating an internal sensor. To accomplish this goal, ultrasmall Cadmium Selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) are encapsulated in a biphenyl-perfluorocyclobutyl (BP-PFCB) and coated onto metal and composite tensile samples, such as aluminum and fiberglass. Ultrasmall CdSe QDs are a unique material that emits broad spectrum white light due to multiple surface-related emitting states. These surface states are highly sensitive due to the physical structure of the QD, and minute changes in the surrounding environment can result in observed changes in the emission spectrum. In this research, tensile loadings are applied to samples coated with encapsulated CdSe QDs and the corresponding change in emission spectra is subsequently recorded with increasing levels of load. By analyzing the difference in emission spectra between each load case and unloaded test samples, the effectiveness of using ultrasmall CdSe QDs as an alternative internal sensor for damage detection applications is herein evaluated.

Detecting material state change in surface coated tensile samples using ultrasmall CdSe quantum dots

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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