Micro- and nano-NDE systems for aircraft: great things in small packages

Abstract

Recent advancements in small, microscopic NDE sensor technologies will revolutionize how aircraft maintenance is done, and will significantly improve the reliability and airworthiness of current and future aircraft systems. A variety of micro/nano systems and concepts are being developed that will enable whole new capabilities for detecting and tracking structural integrity damage. For aging aircraft systems, the impact of micro-NDE sensor technologies will be felt immediately, with dramatic reductions in labor for maintenance, and extended useable life of critical components being two of the primary benefits. For the fleet management of future aircraft systems, a comprehensive evaluation and tracking of vehicle health throughout its entire life cycle will be needed. Indeed, micro/nano NDE systems will be instrumental in realizing this futuristic vision. Several major challenges will need to be addressed, however, before micro-and nano-NDE systems can effectively be implemented, and this will require interdisciplinary research approaches, and a systematic engineering integration of the new technologies into real systems. Future research will need to emphasize systems engineering approaches for designing materials and structures with in-situ inspection and prognostic capabilities. Recent advances in 1) embedded / add-on micro-sensors, 2) computer modeling of nondestructive evaluation responses, and 3) wireless communications are important steps toward this goal, and will ultimately provide previously unimagined opportunities for realizing whole new integrated vehicle health monitoring capabilities. The future use of micro/nano NDE technologies as vehicle health monitoring tools will have profound implications, and will provide a revolutionary way of doing NDE in the near and distant future.

New smart materials to address issues of structural health monitoring.

“…Accelerometers, optical switches /micro-mirrors, and inkjet printer heads are the most prominent commercially available MEMS devices. Combination of MEMS, integrated circuits, and active materials (e.g., piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloys) has resulted in the development of smart wireless systems suitable for health monitoring functions (Malas et al 2003). For example, a microcomb-type transducer was used to generate ultrasonic waves for monitoring cracks from rivet holes (Varadan and Varadan 2000).…”

“…Other (Lynch 2002;Yuan et al 2002;Malas et al 2003;Nelson 2003;Culler et al 2004 Widespread adaptation of sensor networks has been limited by, on one hand, the sensor's reliable long-term power sources. Solutions to both of these drawbacks require significant investments driven by real-life applications.…”