SBIR-STTR Award

Recent experiments at massachusetts institute of technology have shown that a new noninvasive technique for monitoring the magnetic fields associated with electrochemical corrosion currents can give new insights into the fundamental physics of corrosion processes. However, the current research is being conducted on equipment which is poorly suited to these particular measurements. In conjunction with the mit group, we propose to develop instrumentation specifically designed for these measurements, with the eventual goal of producing a new line of instrumentation which can noninvasively measure low rates of corrosion. With an annual economic cost of order $70 billion due to corrosion, the benefits of improved understanding of the corrosion process is clear.

Recent experiments at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology have shown that a new noninvasive technique for monitoring the magnetic fields associated with electrochemical corrosion currents, can give new insights into the fundamental physics of corrosion processes.however, the current research is being conducted with equipment which is poorly suited to these particular measurements. The work in Phase I has produced a conceptual design for an improved instrument specifically tailored for these measurements. This Phase II proposal outlines a program to finish designing and constructing the instrument, complete with automated control and data collection to facilitate the research already begun at mit. Specific design criteria for the instrument provide for improved spatial resolution and sensitivity, improved rf immunity over existing systems, free access to a corrosion cell of special design, and automation of control and data collection functions.