"Smart Coatings" for In Situ Monitoring of Engine Components

"Smart coatings" denotes a class of high-temperature-resistant, multilayer, thin (total thickness < 10 µm) films that contain predominantly planar layers of sensor circuitry sandwiched between tough, protective, electrically insulating layers. These films are being developed to enable in situ monitoring of aircraft engines during flight or inspection. "Smart coatings" could be deposited on turbine and compressor blades, turbine-blade hubs, and other critical engine parts to detect incipient failures and other adverse phenomena.