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A Novel Noninvasive Microwave Sensor for Quantitative Assessment of Degree of…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Navy 		Award ID:
90312 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
N09A-022-0094 		Solicitation Year:
2009 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N09-T022 		Solicitation Number:
2009.A
Small Business Information
AlphaSense, Inc.
510 Philadelphia Pike Wilmington, DE -
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: A Novel Noninvasive Microwave Sensor for Quantitative Assessment of Degree of Sensitization in Marine Aluminum Alloys
Agency / Branch: DOD / NAVY
Contract: N00014-10-C-0438
Award Amount: $728,179.00
 

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.

Principal Investigator:

Pengcheng Lv
Senior Scientist
(302) 998-1116
pengcheng@alphasense.net

Business Contact:

Xin Zhang
President
(302) 294-0116
xin@alphasense.net
Small Business Information at Submission:

AlphaSense, Inc.
470 Century Blvd. Boxwood Commerce Center Wilmington, DE 19808-

EIN/Tax ID: 261422091
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: Yes
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
Pennsylvania State University
201 Steidle Bldg
University Park, PA 16802-
Contact: Digby Macdonald
Contact Phone: (814) 865-9891