STTR Phase I: Embedded Structural Health Sensors Using Solid State Ultrasonic Nanoscale Dissimilar Materials Joining

这个小型企业技术转让(STTR)第一阶段项目将研究使用一种新型的超声波材料固结技术作为一种嵌入Bragg芯内光栅、光纤应变传感器作为实时资产监控信息系统的一部分的方法。利用超声固结的应变传感器的埋入工艺将是纳米材料加工、结构和性能关系的广泛分析的重点。例如，延展性的金属嵌入环境与陶瓷器件的结合以及设备与桥梁、建筑或大坝的结合很可能需要开发金属/陶瓷或金属/金属界面的纳米工程。最终的重点将是将光纤结构分析的信息技术与超声波固结的纳米工程相结合，产生坚固的、嵌入的、实时的应变测量。这些技术的融合将产生无与伦比的结构改造能力，使人们能够利用实时信息传输来查看连续性、完整性、稳定性和损害评估。结构健康监测不仅是对迅速或逐渐失效的结构进行预后分析的关键需要，也是从可能经历了重大创伤事件的现场提供战术情况分析的关键需要。例如，结构性资产可见性将使大型建筑群(如大坝)能够预测未来的故障事件，因为基于趋势的应变数据将突出潜在的系统异常。除此之外，拟议的解决方案还将为急救人员提供相同的实时结构健康数据，如果发生某种形式的单一攻击或自然灾害。在这两种情况下，嵌入式传感器技术将在经济和安全基础上为现场提供价值。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will examine the use of a novel, ultrasonic materials consolidation technology as a means to embed Bragg intracore grating, fiber optic strain sensors as part of a real-time asset monitoring information system. The embedding process for strain sensors using ultrasonic consolidation will be the focus of an extensive analysis of the nanoscale materials processing, structure and properties relationship. For example, the bonding of the ductile, metallic embedding environment with the ceramic devices and the bonding of the devices with a bridge, building, or dam will likely require the development of nanoscale engineering of the metal/ceramic or metal/metal interfaces. The ultimate focus will be on combining the information technology of optical fiber structural analysis with the nanoscale engineering of ultra-sonic consolidation to produce rugged, embedded, real time measurement of strain.The convergence of these technologies could produce unparalleled capability for retrofitting structures to allow visibility into continuity, integrity, stability and damage assessment using real time transmission of information. Structural health monitoring is a critical need not only to utilize prognostic analysis on a rapidly or gradually failing structure, but to provide tactical situation analysis from a site that may have experienced a significant trauma event. For example, structural asset visibility would allow large complexes, such as a dam, to anticipate future failure events as trend-based strain data would highlight potential system irregularities. In addition to this, the proposed solution would also provide first responders with that same real-time structure health data had there been some form of singular attack or natural disaster. In both cases the embedded sensor technology would be providing value to the site on both an economic and security basis.