Cutting Corrosion

A new miniature sensor will help the Navy cut costs and improve crew safety in the ongoing battle against corrosion. The Navy spends up to $200,000 per year in preventive maintenance per aircraft. A significant part of this cost comes from taking apart sections of the aircraft to inspect for corrosion. The miniature sensor remotely detects and monitors corrosion in inaccessible areas of ships, aircraft, submarines and weapons containers. The corrosion sensor system combines the bi-metallic thin film microsensor with microelectronics and radio-frequency communications technology. The system collects and stores corrosion information that can be retrieved on demand by transmitted radio signals. Long-term testing of the new system on operational naval aircraft has already commenced. The sensor, which can be held in the palm of the hand, costs $100. With further development and mass production, the price should drop to $50 per unit.