US Patent 7921727 - Structural monitoring with carbon nanofiber grid

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7921727.html

This patent is from the University of Dayton teaches a way to use carbon nanofiber ink to monitor the structural integrity of structures used in aircraft, turbine blades, bridges, satellites, and ships. Claim 1 reads:

1. A sensing system for monitoring the structural health of a structure comprising:

a sensor comprising a conductive ink containing from about 4 to about 12% by weight vapor grown carbon nanofibers having a high aspect ratio and at least one polymeric resin; and

a data acquisition system;

wherein said sensor is applied in the form of a grid pattern directly to the surface of said structure.