SBIR PHASE II: Refinement of a Limited-Scan Backscatter Technique for Detection of Hidden Corrosion

*9312581 Yacout这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目寻求扩展和改进一种用于检测腐蚀的光子背向散射技术，该技术隐藏在外部直接观察之外。这项技术包括在外表面附近的有限范围内扫描准直源光子束(及其相关的准直探测器)，提供快速无损检查。第二阶段将涉及示范操作和优化实验室原型设备的设计，以检查具有薄(4毫米)和厚(4毫米)平面和圆柱形两种几何形状的外层(盖子)的系统。在第一阶段研究期间开发的模拟代码将进行升级，以纳入多能源发射，包括平板和一般圆柱形几何形状，分布式能量上的光子探测(允许对模拟结果进行光谱分析)，以及将允许模拟各种条件的扩展材料库。该代码将用于确定有希望的设计条件，以进行实验研究。实验室台式原型设备将在一系列设计变量和样本变量上进行设计、建造和测试。设计变量将针对薄覆盖和厚覆盖两种情况进行优化。该方法直接应用于检测各种人造系统中隐藏的和难以接近的腐蚀，包括飞机、船舶、管道、储罐和加工罐、建筑物和桥梁。腐蚀对这类结构造成的损害每年造成数百万美元的损失，并危及安全。***

*** 9312581 Yacout This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project seeks to extend and refine a photon backscatter technique for detecting corrosion that is hidden from direct external observation. The technique involves scanning a collimated source photon beam (and its associated collimated detector) over limited ranges near an external surface, offering rapid nondestructive examination. Phase II will be concerned with demonstrating operation and optimizing design of laboratory prototype equipment to inspect systems that have both thin ( 4 mm) and thick ( 4 mm) external layers (covers) in both planar and cylindrical geometries. A simulation code developed during the Phase I study will be upgraded to incorporate polyenergetic source emission, both slab and general cylindrical geometries, photon detection over distributed energies (allowing spectral analysis of simulation results), and an expanded material library that will allow a variety of conditions to be simulated. The code will be used to identify promising design conditions for experimental investigation. Laboratory bench-top prototype equipment will be designed, constructed, and tested over a range of both design and sample variables. Design variables will be optimized for both thin- and thick-cover conditions. The methodology has direct application to detection of hidden and inaccessible corrosion in various man-made systems including aircraft, ships, pipes, storage and processing tanks, buildings and bridges. Damage to such structures due to corrosion costs many millions of dollars per year and compromises safety. ***