Similar to the "temperature-sensitive paint" idea (something that I never added, wish I had), a paint whose color changes as pressure is applied to it.
Seems to me that it might be an interesting tool for use in a wind tunnel, to test aerodynamics. It'd be easy to find the yellow 'trouble spots' on a red auto body, after all...-- cswiii, Sep 22 2000 (?) Impact Phosphorescence http://www.halfbake...t_20PhosphorescenceIncludes egnor's link to REAL pressure sensitive paint. [centauri, Sep 22 2000, last modified Oct 04 2004] Would it be necessary to attach psi readouts on the inside of the vehicle body panels? That would negate the need for paint. However, if the prototype were clay or wood, paint would be good-therefore would the paint be need to be compliant with any external sensor devices?-- thumbwax, Sep 22 2000 There is something similar to this that I saw a long time ago on 'Beyond 2000' (a show whos name I hope they changed if its still on somewhere), it was paint used to detect inpacts on planes, eg birds and stuff. More like 'pressure spike' or 'impact' sensitive paint. :)-- amadeus, Sep 22 2000 Quite baked, and in fact widely used in wind tunnels. Follow centauri's link to my link.-- egnor, Sep 23 2000 random, halfbakery