3D-Printed Thermal Sensor Monitors Pipe Flow

Researchers in Italy designed and built a 3D-printed thermal sensor to monitor fluid flow inside pipes, specifically for marine engineering applications. The team used a readily available biopolymer filament enhanced with carbon nanotubes and Fused Deposition Modelling to create a ring-type sensor integrated directly into a pipe segment.

Through iterative design and testing, they optimized the sensor to reduce power consumption by 26% and demonstrated a clear resistance change, around 117 ohms, in response to airflow from 0 to 4 meters per second. The sensor’s monolithic construction eliminates the need for delicate wiring, potentially lowering costs and improving reliability.

The research team validated their design with finite element modelling, comparing simulated temperature changes to those measured during experiments. Further testing is needed to assess the sensor’s performance under real-world maritime conditions, including exposure to humidity, salt, vibration, and temperature fluctuations before it can be deployed on vessels.