SBIR-STTR Award

Novel acousto-optic (AO) sensors that overcome the limitations of current AO sensor will be developed. These sensors will be used to demonstrate feasibility of an ultrasonic evaluation system to provide simple, fast and low-cost method for NDE of fielded structures. The proposed approach will circumvent the need for cumbersome, multi axes mechanical scanning equipment required in conventional ultrasonic scanning. The operator skill requirements are expected to be relatively low, since data is provided in image form as opposed to an electronic signal. There is a significant potential for the proposed work to address the health monitoring needs of the Dept. of Defense aviation and other structures

In Phase I of this SBIR project, novel acousto-optic (AO) sensors were developed that offered many advantages over current state-of-the-art AO sensors. These sensors were used to demonstrate feasibility of a simple, fast and low-cost method for NDE of fielded structures. The proposed Phase II work will build on the success of Phase I to refine the AO sensor concepts and the methodologies for applying them for NDE of fielded structures. A prototype NDE system will be developed for a targeted NDE application within the Army platforms.

Benefits:
There is a significant potential for the proposed work to address the health monitoring needs of the aviation and other structures within the Department of Defense and private aerospace industry.

Keywords:
Ultrasonic NDE, Composite Inspection, Health Monitoring, Nondestructive Testing, Acoustography