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A Novel Noninvasive Microwave Sensor for Quantitative Assessment of Degree of Sensitization in Marine Aluminum Alloys

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00014-10-C-0438
Agency Tracking Number: N09A-022-0094
Amount: $728,179.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N09-T022
Solicitation Number: 2009.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2009
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-09-20
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-02-03
Small Business Information
470 Century Blvd. Boxwood Commerce Center
Wilmington, DE 19808-
United States
DUNS: 808480086
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Pengcheng Lv
 Senior Scientist
 (302) 998-1116
 pengcheng@alphasense.net
Business Contact
 Xin Zhang
Title: President
Phone: (302) 294-0116
Email: xin@alphasense.net
Research Institution
 Pennsylvania State University
 Digby Macdonald
 
201 Steidle Bldg
University Park, PA 16802-
United States

 (814) 865-9891
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

In phase I, we have proven the feasibility of using the microwave cavity perturbation technique to detect and quantify DoS in marine aluminum alloys. We implemented an alpha version sensor prototype, characterized and validated its performance using ASTM G67 method. We also identified methods to further enhance the sensor sensitivity, so that DoS in the low (a few mg/cm2) to moderate range can be accurately measured. Phase II will be focusing on the optimization of the sensor system to improve its performance in terms of sensitivity and dynamic range, and the implementation of a handheld, inexpensive and field testable prototype. Additionally, we will develop models to predict the IGSCC crack growth and the remaining service time of a sensitized marine aluminum alloy structure. Our approach to achieve these goals include: a) Enhance the sensor sensitivity with amplitude and phase measurements of the cavity resonance at higher microwave frequencies, b) High throughput mapping of sensitization levels across a large sample using a frequency hopping technique, c) Develop a coupling environment model to predict the IGSCC crack growth in sensitized marine aluminum alloys, and d) Implement data acquisition and signal processing function with a microcontroller to obtain a low cost handheld sensor.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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