SBIR Phase I: Acoustic Emission Technology on a Chip - AECHIP

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发基于微机电系统（MEMS）的声发射（AE）传感器，用于结构健康监测。AE是一种成熟的无损检测技术，通常用于监测金属中的主动疲劳裂纹、加压管线和储罐中的泄漏、冲击损伤以及复合材料中的基体和纤维损伤。该项目团队将开发新型MEMS AE传感器，用于结构健康监测应用中的混凝土、钢和复合结构以及旋转机械。 主要目标是设计和实现一系列高品质因数MEMS谐振型电容换能器，频率范围在100 kHz和1 MHz之间，对应于永久和不可逆裂纹形成期间结构中释放弹性能量时产生的超声波的频谱。 其次，传感器封装问题将与性能并行解决，以确保为商业应用开发强大的传感器。拟议的研究是一项创新和变革性的努力，预期性能增强，特别是在AE传感器的机械谐振特性和传感器封装方面。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力与安全和经济的运营有关，私人持有的资产（桥梁，铁路，压力容器等）。世界各地 这一基础设施正在老化，必须不断监测重大投资。 拟议的技术将是解决这一大规模老化基础设施问题的低成本和高容量解决方案。 从经济上讲，所提出的技术的目标是监测两个数量级（100倍）以上的结构检查预算水平。 因此，该技术将对桥梁、压力容器、商用和军用飞机、振动机械等产生重大影响。有关该技术的非专有信息应通过期刊和会议出版物传播。 由于这项技术有很大的市场，因此通过工程专业学生实习生、博士后和专业工程师成功开发这项技术，将创造大量的技术工作。 该技术的成功开发也将创造大量的现场技术人员就业机会。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based acoustic emission (AE) sensors for structural health monitoring. AE is a well-established nondestructive testing technique commonly used to monitor for active fatigue cracks in metals, leaks in pressurized lines and tanks, impact damage, and matrix and fiber damage in composites. The project team will develop novel MEMS AE sensors to be applied generically to concrete, steel, and composite structures and rotating machinery in structural health monitoring applications. The primary goal is to design and implement an array of high quality factor MEMS resonant-type capacitive transducers in the frequency range between 100kHz and 1MHz, corresponding to the frequency spectrum of the ultrasonic wave generated when elastic energy is released in a structure during permanent and irreversible crack formation. Secondly, the sensor packaging issues will be addressed in parallel with the performance to ensure the development of a robust sensor for commercial applications. The proposed research is an innovative and transformative effort with anticipated performance enhancement particularly with regard to both the mechanical resonant characteristics and sensor packaging aspects of the AE sensor.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project related to the safe and economical operation of publically and privately held assets (bridges, railroads, pressure vessels, etc.) around the world. This infrastructure is aging and significant investment must be monitored continuously. The proposed technology will be low-cost and high volume solution to this massive aging infrastructure issue. Economically speaking, the objective of the proposed technology is to monitor two orders of magnitude (100X) more structures inspection budget levels. The technology, therefore, will have a significant impact in bridge, pressure vessel, commercial and military aircraft, vibrating machinery, etc. Non-proprietary information about the technology shall be disseminated through journal and conference publications. Since there is a large market for this technology a significant number of technical jobs will be created by the successful development of the technology via engineering student interns, post-docs, and professional engineers. Successful development of the technology will also create significant amount of field technician employment opportunities.