Russian scientists from Skoltech have developed and patented a sensor based on nanoparticles. Its application will accelerate and reduce the cost of the production of composite materials from thermosetting polymers.

"Our method is particularly relevant for large parts that are baked in huge ovens and autoclaves for a long time. A prime example are the composite parts of ships and especially planes, in which the share of thermosetting polymer parts is 30-50%. The return from optimizing their production is very large", explained Biltu Mahato, a research associate at Skoltech.

A team of scientists headed by Sergey Abaimov, a leading research scientist in Skoltech's Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery Science and Technology, developed a technique that will significantly speed up and reduce the cost of producing composite structures from thermosetting polymers.

"We have developed a cheap, scalable, and flexible method of monitoring the degree of curing thermosetting polymers. The method involves adding conductive particles to the polymer. Due to a number of complex processes as the material is baked, the distances between conductive particles and tunneling potentials change. These changes are reflected in the overall conductivity of the nanocomposite", explained Abaimov.