Damages of buildings can be detected earlier with a new graphene coating thereby reducing costs and scope of repairs. Image source: Shutterstock (#559826938)
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research in Germany have created a smart graphene coating that changes color when material is in need of repair work. Even miniscule mechanical deformations can be seen, alerting the customer of cracks and fractures long before a material’s failure. Right now, it is tested mainly on buildings, but hopes are that the coating can be applied to vehicles, textiles, and many more things.
Amplifying certain wavelengths of light, but dampening others, the graphene coating uses different colors to show the severity of the damage. The next steps are to optimize parameter control and make mass production possible.
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