Researchers at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow are working on piezoelectric sensors to monitor the fatigue of composite components in aircraft structures.

This is part of a project bringing together 16 European aerospace companies and scientific institutions, including AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, which aims to extend the service life of composites used in aircraft, thereby saving the energy required for their manufacture and reducing pressure on the environment.

The idea behind the joint project, which has been given the codename ‘GENEX’, is to network composite manufacturers, air carriers and aircraft maintainers using modern technologies.

One of the key elements of this vision is the monitoring of composite parts in aircraft, which will provide ongoing data on their wear and tear during operation. Scientists from the AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH) are involved in this particular segment of the project to design dedicated piezoelectric sensors integrated into the structure of the composites.