The vocabulary behind the evidence.

Short definitions for the materials, sensing, data and assurance terms used across the site.

GOMaterials: Graphene oxide: graphene sheets carrying oxygen-containing groups, which make them hydrophilic and chemically distinct from low-oxygen graphene.
GNPMaterials: Graphene nanoplatelets: short stacks of graphene layers whose behaviour depends strongly on thickness and lateral size.
rGOMaterials: Reduced graphene oxide: graphene oxide that has been partly deoxygenated; residual defects distinguish it from other graphene classes.
Turbostratic grapheneMaterials: Stacked graphene layers that are rotationally disordered relative to one another, rather than in the ordered stacking of graphite.
Flash Joule heatingMaterials: A synthesis route that passes a brief, high-energy electrical pulse through a carbon source to convert it rapidly into graphene.
MWCNTMaterials: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes: concentric tubes of graphene; a mature benchmark in self-sensing cement research.
PCEMaterials: Polycarboxylate ether: a class of superplasticiser admixture used to disperse particles and control the workability of cement mixes.
PercolationSensing: The point at which conductive particles form a continuous network through a material, causing a sharp rise in conductivity.
PiezoresistivitySensing: The change in a material’s electrical resistance when it is mechanically strained or loaded.
Gauge factorSensing: The fractional change in electrical resistance per unit of strain; a common measure of sensing sensitivity.
ΔR/R₀Sensing: Fractional resistance change: the change in resistance divided by the baseline resistance.
Four-electrode methodSensing: A measurement layout that separates current-carrying and voltage-sensing electrodes to reduce contact-resistance effects.
DAQData: Data acquisition: the hardware and software that excite, measure, digitise and timestamp sensor signals.
SNRData: Signal-to-noise ratio: the strength of a meaningful signal relative to background noise.
Digital twinData: A digital representation of a physical asset kept in step with it through data, used to support decisions.
SHMEngineering: Structural health monitoring: the continuous or periodic measurement of a structure to detect change or damage.
FBGEngineering: Fibre Bragg grating: an optical-fibre strain and temperature sensor, often used as a comparator in SHM trials.
DICEngineering: Digital image correlation: a camera-based method that measures surface deformation by tracking patterns between images.
AEEngineering: Acoustic emission: detection of the stress waves released as cracks form or grow inside a material.
NDTEngineering: Non-destructive testing: inspection methods that assess a structure without damaging it.
TRLAssurance: Technology readiness level: a 1–9 scale describing how mature a technology is, from basic principles to proven operation.
COA / SDSAssurance: Certificate of analysis (a supplier’s test record for a batch) and safety data sheet (hazard and handling information).
WHSAssurance: Work health and safety: the Australian framework governing safe work, including laboratory execution.
JSA / SWMSAssurance: Job safety analysis and safe work method statement: documents that identify task hazards and required controls.
NATAAssurance: National Association of Testing Authorities: Australia’s accreditation body for laboratories and inspection bodies.
LCACommercial: Lifecycle assessment: evaluation of environmental impacts across a product’s life, from raw material to end of life.
TEACommercial: Techno-economic assessment: analysis of the technical performance and costs of a process at a given scale.
BOMCommercial: Bill of materials: the full list of components and materials needed to build and install a system.