Abstract:
A system includes a voltage supply configured to supply a drive voltage. A flexible device connects with the voltage supply. The flexible device is configured to be embedded into a material, e.g., a viscoelastic material. A strain gage connects with the flexible device, and the strain gage is configured to measure a flexing of the flexible device. A processor connects with the strain gage. The processor is configured to determine a measured strain and a phase shift between the drive voltage and the strain when voltage is supplied to the flexible device to produce a fingerprint of the material. The processor can be configured to determine G* and δ to produce a fingerprint of the material.