The research group FOR3022 (ultrasound monitoring of fiber-metal laminates with integrated sensors) under the leadership of the Technical University of Braunschweig is working on condition monitoring of lightweight structures . The scientists are devoting particular attention to composite materials made of fiber-reinforced plastics with metal foils, known as fiber-metal laminates. These materials are used, for example, in aircraft construction. The upper fuselage shell of the Airbus A380, for instance, is made of a composite of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and aluminum, so-called Glare .

Innovative microsensors are being integrated into the material by the research group. The scientists then want to develop methods to identify damage caused by impact stresses in particular, including delamination, i.e. adhesive bonds that are no longer holding, by using ultrasound waves that they feed through the lightweight structures. In addition to the Institute of Adaptronics and Function Integration at the Technical University of Braunschweig , scientists from the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg and the University of Bremen are also involved in the project. The project is being funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Association, DFG).