Main Content

Case Number: 24MST023
Manager: Robert Prosak
Licensing Associate, Business Development
S&T Technology Transfer & Economic Development
robert.prosak@mst.edu
PDF Download: Electrified Plastic Pipe for Locatable, Information-Enabled Infrastructure
Publication: Application PCT

PVC/Polyethylene pipes with parallel longitudinal conductive traces on the outer surface. The conductive trace comprises of a long laser scribed graphene trace, spray coated with metal and finally protected by an insulation material. The conductive traces are connected to a power source or a repeater

Opportunity

Seeking a licensing and development partner to scale into manufacturing and infrastructure deployment.

Problem Statement

Plastic pipes are widely used because they are inexpensive, corrosionresistant, and easy to install. Once buried, however, they are difficult to locate and provide little information about condition, leaks, pressure, temperature, flow, or remaining service life. Infrastructure owners need plastic pipe systems that can be easily located, monitored, and managed without relying solely on excavation, records, or external sensors.

Solution

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a method to integrate conductive structures directly into the walls of PVC or polyethylene pipes. These structures can allow the pipe itself to emit a detectable signal and support sensing, communication, and monitoring functions. The approach delivers a practical pathway to turn ordinary plastic pipe into locatable, information-enabled infrastructure while preserving its advantages.

Value Proposition

This technology turns passive plastic pipe into the starting point for smart infrastructure. The first value is a safer, faster way to locate buried pipe before excavation. Follow-on value may include leak detection, structural health monitoring, pressure and temperature monitoring, flow-related measurements, wireless communication, and digital asset management. The platform gives pipe manufacturers and infrastructure operators a means to higher-value pipe products and more intelligent infrastructure systems.

Development Stage

Validated in the lab.

Intellectual Property

Patent pending

Inventors

Jie Huang, Rex E. Gerald II, Abhishek Prakash Hungund , Bohong Zhang, Homayoon Soleimani Dinani, Ryan O’Malley, Kelsey Vancil, Michael Lee Davis II and Thomas M Spudich