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Jump the Bridge

This past August, about 5 miles from where I live, the I-35 Bridge collapsed. It claimed 13 lives. Such tragedies, of course, should not happen, but they will likely continue to occur unless state and federal transportation learn to “jump the curve” and begin experimenting with—and ultimately adopting—wireless sensors to detect the earliest signs fo stress failure in bridges.

In today’s Minneapolis StarTribune -- my hometown newspaper—there is an interesting article showing the different approaches that Minnesota and Wisconsin are now taking to bridge inspection. Wisconsin has ordered that 14 of its bridges be fitted with special sensors, known as bridge gauges, that can detect unusual movements. Minnesota, on the other hand, will continue to rely on human inspections.

The governor of Minnesota’s position is that sensors are not yet a proven technology. This is true, but he fails to recognize that as a result of exponential advances in sensor and wireless technology the technology will only continue to get better. From my perspective, these extraordinary advances warrant, at a minimum some pilot tests. And longer term, I am even more optimistic that sensor technology is the superior approach.

In my forthcoming book, I encourage leaders to “bet on the machine.” It is the idea that, over time, various technologies will be able to do some things that people currently do (like inspect bridges) only better, faster and cheaper. As an analogy, I remind my readers that just a decade ago most chess experts were saying that a machine could never beat a human. Well, it is now a fact that computers can regularly and consistently beat even the best chess grand master.

The same will soon be true for bridge inspecting. As proof, I sumbit this article from today’s Technology Review. It is discusses how advances in carbon nanotubes are now being contemplated for use as sensors in hip and knee joint implants. The general idea is that carbon nanotubes will be embedded directly integrated into the surface of the implant material and will be able to pick up early warning signs of inflammatory scarring, bone stress, and the presense of dangerous bacteria.

My general point is that future sensor technology will be greatly enabled by advances in carbon nanotube technology, and today’s leaders can “jump the curve” or, in this case, jump the bridge by embracing sensor sooner rather than later. It is going to save time, money and ultimately human lives in both the fields of bridge inspection and biomedical implants.

Jack Uldrich is a writer, public speaker and host of jumpthecurve.net. He is the author of seven books, including Jump the Curve and The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business, and speaks frequently on future trends, innovation, change management, nanotechnology, robotics, RFID technology and executive leadership to the transportation and health care industries.

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