Elena Blanco
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Elena Blanco is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of structural health monitoring and aerial robotics, with a primary focus on developing advanced sensing technologies for civil infrastructure. Her most notable contribution is the invention of acoustic micro-opto-mechanical transducers (MOMTs) for non-contact crack width measurement on concrete structures, a breakthrough that enables inspection from unmanned aerial vehicles. In her landmark 2019 paper, which has garnered 3 citations, Blanco demonstrated how a piezoelectric emitter operating at 54 kHz, combined with her novel MOMT sensor, can precisely measure surface-opening cracks—a critical parameter for assessing structural integrity. This work addresses a longstanding challenge in infrastructure maintenance: the safe, remote inspection of hard-to-reach areas like bridges and dams. By integrating micro-optics with acoustic sensing, Blanco has opened new possibilities for autonomous damage detection, reducing the need for risky manual inspections. Her research sits at the nexus of acoustics, micro-optics, and robotics, and her innovative sensor design has been recognized as a foundational step toward smarter, safer infrastructure monitoring systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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