STTR Phase II: Composite Structural Damage Self-Sensing via Electrical Resistance Measurement

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II project is aimed to capitalize on the Phase I success of an innovative self-sensing of composite structural damage utilizing the electrical conductivity of carbon (graphite) composite materials for structural health monitoring (SHM). The Phase II project is intended to provide a full-scale development (FSD) technology for composite a structural self-diagnostic (CSSD) system/technique. The necessary hardware/software and implementation procedures, such as microchip-based nodal electrical conductivity acquisition electronic circuitry, composite structural self-monitoring computer hardware and software will be incorporated in the CSSD device. The CSSD technology should prevent the catastrophic failures of aircraft and rotorcraft by predicting impending failures of flight-critical composite structural components. The system hardware/software will be demonstrated on new commercial passenger jet aircraft and military aircraft. The application of the CSSD technology should reduce the maintenance cost of the aircraft and rotorcraft due to automated structural health monitoring and diagnostic feature.