Embedded Sensor Technology for Solid Rocket Motor Health Monitoring

"This Phase I SBIR will study the potential of a multi-axis fiber grating strain sensor system that is capable of monitoring strain internal to a solid rocket motor bondline. This multi-axis technology would allow unique multidimensional strain fieldanalysis via a non-intrusive, embedded optical sensor. This technology could not only be used to monitor solid rocket motors, but has a wide range of aerospace platform applications, both military and commercial that employ bonded structures. It is alsopossible that this technology could be used on ships, briges, and other large structures where bonded materials are playing an ever more important role."