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

这个小型企业技术转移（STTR）第一阶段项目将研究一种新型超声材料固化技术的使用，作为嵌入Bragg芯内光栅、光纤应变传感器的手段，作为实时资产监控信息系统的一部分。超声固结应变传感器的嵌入过程将成为纳米材料加工、结构和性能关系的广泛分析的焦点。例如，将韧性、金属嵌入环境与陶瓷器件结合，以及将器件与桥梁、建筑物或水坝结合，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级工程相结合，以产生坚固的、嵌入式的、实时的应变测量。这些技术的融合可以产生无与伦比的改造结构的能力，从而可以通过实时传输信息来了解连续性、完整性、稳定性和损害评估。结构健康监测是一项关键需求，不仅可以对快速或逐渐失效的结构进行预后分析，还可以从可能经历重大创伤事件的地点提供战术情况分析。例如，结构资产可见性将允许大型综合体（如大坝）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不规则性。除此之外，拟议的解决方案还将在发生某种形式的单一攻击或自然灾害时为第一响应者提供相同的实时结构健康数据。在这两种情况下，嵌入式传感器技术都将在经济和安全的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.