  In this research project we propose a new composite medium, which can
visualise the mechanical stress at any stage: before and after damage. The main
feature of the proposed stress-tuneable composite is its permittivity
(dielectric constant), which depends on the mechanical stress. This kind of
composite material can be characterised as a "sensing medium" that opens up new
possibilities for remote monitoring of stress with the use of microwave
transceiving techniques. The composite material can be made as a bulk medium or
as thin cover to image the mechanical stress distribution inside construction
or on its surface.
