[DOHboy]

Hi,

I’m looking for a Gel, paste or paint that can be applied to a surface.  When a force is then applied to this treated surface I will get a proportional reaction. An exothermic reaction would be great because I can then use a thermo camera to measure the distribution of the force in real time.

I want to apply this gel to a surface then press it against a second transparent surface that has the thermo camera shooting through it.  This will allow me to see the distribution of force in real time.

I have found Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) on the net which is used in aerodynamics and If I’m correct it reacts with an increased amount of oxygen as different speed of oxygen pass over the treated surface.

Any ideas on possible chemicals or substances that will help me measure distribution of force will be appreciated.

As a Mechanical Engineer I would have thought such a chemical or substance would exist so please suggest any possibilities.

Thanks in advance

[Arkcon]

Sounds pretty much like a contact explosive to me.

[ARGOS++]

Dear DOHboy;

“Liquid-Crystals” can do such in Combination with “Polarising Filters” and Light.
You may test it on the “Flat” Display of your Computer, but don’t apply to strong forces to it!

For a Start you may read on:  "Liquid Crystals”
(With a lot of Links.)


Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺

[DOHboy]

Sounds pretty much like a contact explosive to me.

LOL when i read the title again i see what your saying but not quite what i was looking for.

ARGOS - I have read the link you put here and LC is a complex subject that will require some more reading, my biggest hurdle for using such technology is that the surfaces i am using are complex like a persons face so i need to be able to put it all over a curved surface. I will do some more reading but from what i have seen it doesnt look like a easy solution that i can buy off the net.   Any thoughts about implementing this with something as complex as a face?

Cheers

[mbrown]

http://www.jonneycobalt.co.uk/piezoelectricpaint.htm

Magnetic rather than exothermic but it might work, I dont know the scale of forces you are interested in looking at.
 
They are using gold, I suspect that graphite might work without the short circuiting issues they were seeing.

The easiest way I can think of is to seperate a heated surface from a heat responsive coating using a refractory gel. So long as the coating responds with reasonable sensitivity you should see a reaction under moderate strain depending on your refractory.

Mike