Underwater target detection using hybrid carbon nanotube self-adhesive sensors

THE BIGGER PICTURE In the underwater domain, the ability to passively detect and identify submerged targets without the use of a probing acoustic pulse is essential for monitoring marine ecosystems, resources, and infrastructure. However, the underwater environment poses challenges, including limited visibility, dynamic water conditions, and the demand for rugged and dependable sensing technologies. To address these challenges, we designed a self-adhesive pressure sensor for the passive detection of underwater targets through the use of a hybrid structure of aligned and nonaligned carbon nanotubes. Bolstered by artificial neural networks, the sensing system can detect different targets based on their different frequencies, and it has the potential to deconvolute signals from multiple targets by using a setup of multiple sensors.