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

This program focuses on the delivery of practical corrosion monitoring capability to the Department of Defense for JSF and other aircraft. This includes surface-mounted and embedded MWM-Arrays for hidden metal loss monitoring, embedded dielectrometers (IDEDs) for moisture ingress monitoring, and hybrid solutions, using MWMs, IDEDs and new thermal sensors, for monitoring of corrosion in metal-metal and metal-composite joints. This program will also continue the investigation of IDEDs for corrosion protection coating (CPC) and sealant degradation monitoring, as well as IDED-based “sniffers” for environmental monitoring. The SBIR Phase II program is divided into three stages: (1) the base program includes a focus on hidden metal loss monitoring and an investigation into embedded dielectric spectroscopy for moisture ingress and sealant property monitoring; this base effort will include a limited active corrosion demonstration; (2) the first option focuses on metal loss monitoring, sealant/CPC aging, and early corrosion /corrosivity monitoring in joints, with a more extensive active corrosion demonstration; and (3) the second option includes delivery of a system upgrade for one corrosion monitoring method, development of “sniffer” technology, and decision support methods, as well as an investigation of scale-up issues.