Smart-sensing systems for integrity assessment of inaccessible assets

Abstract

A smart-sensing radio frequency identification (RFID) patch for assessing a status of an inaccessible asset includes a flexible substrate operable to bend or flex to be secured about an exterior surface of the inaccessible asset, an integrated circuit embedded within the flexible substrate and communicably coupled to a plurality of electrical connections, a plurality of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors communicably coupled to one or more of the electrical connections, the MEMS sensors operable to output signals denoting the status of the inaccessible asset, and one or more antennae communicably coupled to one or more of the electrical connections, wherein the antennae are operable to receive a high-power signal from an external source and emit a backscattering signal including the signals output by the MEMS sensors.