Embedded Microinstrumentation for Health Monitoring of Composite Structures

This SBIR Phase II program will prototype a stuctural health monitoring system for composite rocket motor cases using embedded optical fibers, instrument miniaturization technologies, and a novel perturbation sensing technique not based on fiber Bragggratings or other expensive fiber modifications. This system will either be a hand-held diagnostic instrument used by maintenance technicians, or a real-time instrument integrated with missile avionics. This Phase II effort will refine the system designdeveloped in Phase I, embed the system in a composite pressure vessel designed for performance tests, and also embed the system in an actual rocket motor case for demonstration purpose. Applications for this type of instrumentation include healthmonitoring of: buildings/bridges, space-based platforms, stored military assets, and re-usable launch vehicles.