In this paper, we present the design and construction of a remote monitoring system for determining the probability and rate of corrosion of rebar embedded in concrete. We use the ASTM standard C876 technique for the probability of corrosion and the Linear Polarization Resistance method to indirectly obtain the rate of corrosion. The system consists of a communication module using GSM and GPRS cellular networks which provide remote measurements. The device was used to evaluate corrosion with reference electrodes of copper/copper sulfate and graphite on Type I Portland cement specimens of 15cm in diameter and 30cm in length. The results of the measurements were compared to a commercial system, revealing similar values to the data obtained in the field and the laboratory.

Medicine and engineering have generated advances in reducing the adverse effects of biomaterials on the human body. However, joint replacements remain a subject of interest since they present various failures stemming from wear processes and corrosion phenomena. Additionally, the growing demand for these devices by ever younger people and the increase in life expectancy generate the necessity of implants with a longer service life. To satisfy this need, all factors that influence joint replacement deterioration must be studied. This study therefore describes a method to design and manufacture equipment that performs simultaneous micro-abrasion and electrochemical tests on various materials in simulated biological fluids for the purpose of observing their behavior and viability as a biomaterial. Despite the availability of analogous equipment abroad and the low investment in research in our country, Colombia, affordable technology which focuses on aspects of greatest relevance for stakeholders and may bring the greatest impact can indeed be developed. Thus, with the implementation of design techniques, software tools such as Catia, and interdisciplinary knowledge, the conceptual and detailed design of the system and its later construction were achieved.Keywords: Biomaterials, micro-abrasion, corrosion, equipment, design. ResumenLa medicina y la ingeniería han generado avances en la disminución de los efectos adversos de biomateriales en el cuerpo humano. Sin embargo, los reemplazos articulares siguen siendo tema de interés ya que presentan diferentes tipos de fallas debido a los procesos de desgaste y a los fenómenos corrosivos. Adicionalmente, la creciente demanda de estos dispositivos por personas cada vez más jóvenes y el aumento de la expectativa de vida generan la necesidad de implantes con una vida útil más prolongada. Para satisfacer esta necesidad se deben estudiar todos los factores que influencian el deterioro de los reemplazos articulares, por lo tanto en el presente trabajo se describe el diseño y construcción de un equipo que permite realizar ensayos de micro-abrasión y electroquímicos de manera simultánea en fluidos biológicos simulados sobre distintos materiales, con el propósito de observar su comportamiento y su viabilidad como biomaterial. A pesar de que se pueden adquirir en el extranjero equipos análogos y a la baja inversión que nuestro país realiza en temas de investigación, se puede generar desarrollos tecnológicos económicos enfocados en aspectos de mayor relevancia para las partes interesadas teniendo un mayor impacto. Por lo tanto, mediante la implementación de técnicas de diseño, herramientas de software como Catia y conocimientos interdisciplinares, se logró realizar el diseño conceptual y detallado del sistema y su posterior construcción.