SBIR Phase I: In-Process Fiber Web Characterization

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一个模型，将光衰减和散射数据与基重以及用于在线测量纸幅均匀性的光学诊断联系起来。 非织造聚合物纤维网用作各种产品的主要组分，包括复合材料、医用纺织品、土木工程织物、过滤器、卫生产品、化妆品配件等。这些产品的整体市场估计为1000亿美元。保持纤维网的均匀性是制造非织造聚合物纤维网中最重要的质量问题。最近的进展，在理解系综散射的纤维网是使光学诊断的基重均匀性测量的发展。 这项技术的更广泛影响将是提高一个重要制造业部门的效率和生产力。从学术的角度来看，这个项目将寻求识别一个复杂系统的整体参数使用合奏测量和经验建模。这项工作的结果的传播将为科学家提供线索，以处理其他类似的复杂系统的反应，如多相悬浮液和乳液在化学加工中遇到的。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a model relating the light attenuation and scattering data to the basis weight as well as optical diagnostics for in-process measurement of web uniformity. Nonwoven polymer fiber webs are used as a primary component in a variety of products including, composite materials, medical textiles, civil engineering fabrics, filters, hygiene products, cosmetics accessories, etc. More than forty automotive parts employ fiber webs. The overall market of these products is estimated to be $100B. Maintaining the uniformity of webs is the quality issue of foremost importance in the manufacturing of nonwoven polymer fiber webs. Recent advancements in the understanding of ensemble scattering by fiber webs are enabling the development of optical diagnostics for the basis-weight uniformity measurements. The broader impact from this technology will be enhancing the efficiency and productivity of a significant manufacturing sector. From an academic point of view, this project will seek to identify the bulk parameters of a complex system using ensemble measurements and empirical modeling. Dissemination of the results of this work would provide scientists clues to handling the response of other similar complex systems, like multiphase suspensions and emulsions encountered in chemical processing.