Sensant Corp intends to investigate the use of a new, non-contact ultrasound technology for the rapid detection of corrosion in large areas. Sensant Corp believes that recent improvements in transducer technology that now enable air-coupled inspection may overcome many of the traditional shortcomings of costly, time-consuming ultrasonic inspection systems for large areas. The recent application of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to ultrasonic devices has created an advanced ultrasonic sensor with significantly improved dynamic range (110 db) and wide range of operating frequencies in air (2-12 MHz). These new ultrasonic transducers are fabricated in the same manner as a silicon chip using a technique known as micromachining. In many cases, these devices enable the possibility of air-coupled, non-contact inspection of materials as demonstrated by Sensant using aluminum and Plexiglas sheets. For this research, Sensant will characterize the acoustic properties of the multi-layer material to be inspected and will determine the required properties of an ultrasonic inspection system. Then, the company will develop a custom MEMS transducer to investigate the feasibility of ultrasonic inspection of multi-layer materials. To ensure rapid inspection of large areas, Sensant will evaluate both a longitudinal wave and lamb-wave approach using arrays of focused MEMS transducers.
Benefits: Should the research prove successful, similar techniques and inspection systems could be used commercially to investigate defects in ships in the commercial shipping industry. Automobile, truck, and aircraft inspection for corrosion also represents a promising market opportunity.
