Exploiting Microstructural Evolution for Material and Damage State Sensing

The purpose of the proposed STTR project is to develop a high temperature and aggressive environment-operating structural health monitoring (SHM) sensor based on micro-structural evolution concept in the sensor material. The objective of the proposed STTR project is to develop a step-forward multi natured measurement (MNM) PWAS sensor architecture that takes advantage of both conventional and exotic structural evolutionary approaches towards quantification of specific degradation states, failure modes and usage conditions, and that is potentially applicable for remaining useful life (RUL) prognosis of jet engine components. The proposed STTR proposal outlines several materials of interest, environmental subjection properties that will be explored, and the first approach is exploiting what would be detrimental microstructural evolution in gallium orthophosphate (GaPO4) based on our technology. The sensor is to interrogate rotating jet turbine components and thermal protection system (TPS) tiles of space re-entry vehicles operating in a high temperature/aggressive environment for structural health diagnosis.