Multifunctional Gels for Strain Sensing and Radiation Shielding in Space
Lucia LAMBERTINI, Maria Gabriella SANTONICOLA, Susanna LAURENZI
Abstract. This work investigates a novel class of multifunctional poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for combined radiation shielding and strain-sensing applications. The proposed PVA/MWCNT gels, crosslinked with boric acid, offer high flexibility, conductivity, and mechanical robustness. MWCNT dispersion was optimized by analyzing sedimentation behavior as a function of sonication temperature and PVA concentration. Experimental characterization, including compression tests (–60 °C to +60 °C) and tensile–impedance coupling, demonstrated excellent electromechanical stability. These findings confirm the suitability of PVA/MWCNT gels for flexible, radiation-resistant SHM sensors in space structures.
Keywords
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Flexible Sensors, Radiation Shielding
Published online 7/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Lucia LAMBERTINI, Maria Gabriella SANTONICOLA, Susanna LAURENZI, Multifunctional Gels for Strain Sensing and Radiation Shielding in Space, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 1266-1271, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-219
The article was published as article 219 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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