Abstract: An adhesive strain sensing pod includes at least one strain sensor, electronics for electrically sensing at least one strain signal from the at least one strain sensor, and a sensor adhesive for adhering the strain sensor to a surface of a structural element. The pod may have a protective case for protecting the strain sensor and the electronics and for transferring at least part of a force, pressing the pod against the surface, to press the strain sensor against the surface. The sensor adhesive may be a liquid adhesive contained in a fragile pouch that ruptures when the pod is forced against the surface, or may be a thermally activated adhesive film that is activated to bond the strain sensor to the surface. A protective film may protect the sensor adhesive prior to installation of the pod and is removed prior to installation of the pod on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing polymer, comprising the process steps of (i) mixing (?1) 0.1 to 99.999% by weight of polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing acid groups, or salts thereof, (?2) 0 to 70% by weight of polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with (?1), (?3) 0.001 to 10% by weight of one or more crosslinkers, where the sum of the weights (?1) to (?3) is 100% by weight, (ii) free-radical polymerization with crosslinking to form a water-insoluble, aqueous untreated hydrogel polymer, (iii) drying the hydrogel polymer, (iv) grinding and sieving the water-absorbing polymer to size, wherein the aqueous monomer solution, is admixed with 0.01 to 5% by weight of at least one surfactant and optionally 0.01 to 5% by weight of a blowing agent having a particle size of 10 ?m to 900 ?m, based on the water-absorbing polymer.

Abstract: An adhesive strain sensing pod includes at least one strain sensor, electronics for electrically sensing at least one strain signal from the at least one strain sensor, and a sensor adhesive for adhering the strain sensor to a surface of a structural element. The pod may have a protective case for protecting the strain sensor and the electronics and for transferring at least part of a force, pressing the pod against the surface, to press the strain sensor against the surface. The sensor adhesive may be a liquid adhesive contained in a fragile pouch that ruptures when the pod is forced against the surface, or may be a thermally activated adhesive film that is activated to bond the strain sensor to the surface. A protective film may protect the sensor adhesive prior to installation of the pod and is removed prior to installation of the pod on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing polymer, comprising the process steps of (i) mixing (?1) 0.1 to 99.999% by weight of polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing acid groups, or salts thereof, (?2) 0 to 70% by weight of polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with (?1), (?3) 0.001 to 10% by weight of one or more crosslinkers, where the sum of the weights (?1) to (?3) is 100% by weight, (ii) free-radical polymerization with crosslinking to form a water-insoluble, aqueous untreated hydrogel polymer, (iii) drying the hydrogel polymer, (iv) grinding and sieving the water-absorbing polymer to size, wherein the aqueous monomer solution, is admixed with 0.01 to 5% by weight of at least one surfactant and optionally 0.01 to 5% by weight of a blowing agent having a particle size of 10 ?m to 900 ?m, based on the water-absorbing polymer.