Wireless Sensors with Advanced Detection and Prognostic Capabilities for Corrosion Health Management

In Phase I, FBS demonstrated that its Lamb wave computed tomography technology was capable of detecting 0.001" material loss using embedded sensors on a complex aerospace component. Using an array of 16 sensors embedded on the aircraft's hidden surface, a 2-D map of material loss on the exposed surface was generated. In Phase I, standard laboratory equipment was used. The objective of Phase II work is to advance the technology so that it is compatible with structural health monitoring sensor and data acquisition requirements. This will be accomplished by considering each component from the sensor to analog-to-digital hardware. Individual components will be rethought in terms of activation power, weight penalties, and cost. The technology will also be adapted for composite structures.