Abstract: A system and method for direct and/or active detection and monitoring of civil engineering or other infrastructural structures, and in a preferred embodiment, for hydrocarbon leakage in oil and gas pipelines, storage structures, and/or transportation structures. Particularly, the system and method relate to various nanocomposite sensor coating and data gathering systems. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single measurement sensor coating (thin film) sensor. Other embodiments relate to multiple measurement sensor coating systems. The sensor is comprised of either a discrete conductive filament layer, or a single or multiple mesh of interwoven filaments of conductive material in one direction and nonconductive material in a perpendicular direction, as a substrate coated with sensitive coating materials to form a sensor grid. Various embodiments of the sensor coating and their applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and/or metal oxides are incorporated in a polymer to form a sensing element that may be applied on to a surface for sensing hydrocarbon leakage, mechanical stress, and/or temperature change of a hydrocarbon transportation and/or storage structure. Electrical signals from the sensing element are processed to check for indicators of leakage, stress and/or temperature change.

Abstract: A sensor has an at least partially conductive material to which plural conductive contacts are connected. A processor causes circuits to be formed between pairs of the conductive contacts to measure an electrical property of the material between the contacts, such as a resistance of the material. The processor conducts such measurements between plural pairs of contacts to determine a location of an influence on the material and produces an output indicating the location. The influence can be, for example, a disruption of the material or, where the electrical properties of the material are affected by strain, a strain of the material.

Abstract: A system and method for direct and/or active detection and monitoring of civil engineering or other infrastructural structures, and in a preferred embodiment, for hydrocarbon leakage in oil and gas pipelines, storage structures, and/or transportation structures. Particularly, the system and method relate to various nanocomposite sensor coating and data gathering systems. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a single measurement sensor coating (thin film) sensor. Other embodiments relate to multiple measurement sensor coating systems. The sensor is comprised of either a discrete conductive filament layer, or a single or multiple mesh of interwoven filaments of conductive material in one direction and nonconductive material in a perpendicular direction, as a substrate coated with sensitive coating materials to form a sensor grid. Various embodiments of the sensor coating and their applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and/or metal oxides are incorporated in a polymer to form a sensing element that may be applied on to a surface for sensing hydrocarbon leakage, mechanical stress, and/or temperature change of a hydrocarbon transportation and/or storage structure. Electrical signals from the sensing element are processed to check for indicators of leakage, stress and/or temperature change.