France Launches Advanced Tech for Bridge Safety

The French government has announced an ambitious €34 billion investment plan, dubbed "France 2030," aimed at reviving economic growth in the country. A notable part of this initiative is the SIRCAPASS project, which focuses on the structural health and safety of bridges across France.

SilMach, a French firm, has been selected to provide cutting-edge microsensors for the project. These sensors are designed to monitor a range of potential issues such as impact damage, fatigue, excessive load, and cracks that could affect bridge stability—a responsibility that used to be performed manually.

Revolutionizing Infrastructure Safety

This new technology, based on hybrid MEMS micromechanical sensor tech, functions without an external power source, making it both cost-effective and reliable in detecting structural hazards. The sensor systems are durable enough to operate in extreme conditions, even underwater or in space.

Pierre-François Louvigné, Co-CEO of SilMach, expressed pride in leading the project, saying that "France 2030" is a significant milestone for SilMach's growth, ensuring the safety of French citizens and the economy. The other Co-CEO, Jean-Baptiste Carnet, pointed out the catastrophic human and economic toll of bridge collapses, emphasizing the importance of their technology in addressing this societal challenge.

The innovative microsensors are designed to record and store data that can be easily accessed and interpreted, thanks to their inbuilt communication modules. This advancement in structural health monitoring promises a new era of safety and reliability for French infrastructure.