RICE UNIVERSITY, TEXAS, USA. A newly developed polymeric varnish infused with carbon nanotubes currently making headlines. The technology is dubbed “Strain Paint” which could be very useful to a lot of applications. Right now, the researchers and developers are looking forward to using the paint for airplane wings. The paint does not only act as a protective coating for the surface but it also serves as a strain sensor. That way, technicians will find it easier to determine which part of a particular surface with the paint on it needs repair.

The development of the Strain Paint is very beneficial for people who are serious about their investments. It is pretty much difficult to tell whether which part of a plane or any vehicle needs repair or replacement. With the carbon nanotubes-infused paint, we can all ride any vehicle comfortably and confidently.

Dr. R. Bruce Weisman and his group of researchers and developers are the brains behind this new technology. The Strain Paint is basically applied just like any other ordinary paint. Once it has been applied onto the surface, you need to wait for it to cure. Once it has completely cured, you can easily activate the carbon nanotubes that are in the coat of paint. All it takes is a streak of laser beam from a handheld IR spectrometer for the activated coating to glow in a way that it sends back strain measurement to the computer. It saves a lot of work on the inspector’s part and it also provides more accurate results.

Right now, the Strain Paint might just be used by NASA to check their space aircrafts for any structural damage while on orbit. Aside from aircrafts, the Strain Paint is also being planned to be used on all vehicles and other more static structures such as tunnels and bridges as well. Right now, it is still being improved and tested some more to make sure that the properties of the Strain paint will live up to its name. Researchers are also working on the development for more applications of the Strain Paint.