This research direction is related to the development of smart composite structures with integrated self-diagnostic system for structural health monitoring (SHM). In general, a typical SHM system for composite structures includes three major components: a sensor network, a data processing system and a structural health evaluation system. The Institute is involved in a range of research and development in areas of embedded sensor measurements (including sensor selection, network design and optimal sensor placement algorithms), signal processing (including data acquisition, transmission, storage, pre-processing, feature extraction and pattern recognition), and structural health evaluation (including diagnostic algorithms and information management). The goal of the research is to develop an effective SHM system that can in real time, and online, detect, locate and assess various defects to ensure safety and durable service life.