Abstract: An electronic component with a self-damping MLCC is provided. The electronic component comprising a pulse signal generator and a substrate comprising first traces and second traces. An MLCC is provided comprising a first capacitive couple between two first external terminations and a second capacitive couple between two second external terminations wherein each first external termination is in electrical contact with a different first trace and each second external termination is in electrical contact with a different second trace. The pulse signal generator provides a first pulse to the first traces and a second pulse to the second traces wherein the first pulse and second pulse are not in phase.

Abstract: Frequency-steerable acoustic transducers (FSATs) that allow directional generation or sensing of waves propagating in two-dimensional domains. Directionality is the result of the spatial filtering effect produced by the characteristic shape of the sensing surface. A wavenumber spiral FSAT (WS-FSAT) maps the direction of wave sensing in the [0°, 180°] range to a specific frequency component in the spectrum of the received signal. The use of a wavenumber spiral FSAT operating in sensing mode can be used for the localization of broadband acoustic events. One configuration includes a broadband source generating guided elastic waves in an isotropic plate. The WS-FSAT records the plate response and defines the source location through a time-frequency analysis of the received signal. The frequency selective response of the WS-FSAT directly maps the dominant component of the received signal to the direction of arrival of the incoming wave, thus greatly facilitating the source localization procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for monitoring the health of a structure. Apparatus and methodologies are disclosed for applying a controlled signal sequence to an array of piezoelectric wafer active sensors and for analyzing echo returns from the applied signals to determine the health of the monitored structure. The applied signal may take on certain characteristics including being provided as a specially tailored chirp signal to compensate for non-linear characteristics of the monitored structure.

Abstract: A small, lightweight, portable, and inexpensive self-processing integrated damage assessment sensor (SPIDAS) that may be temporarily or permanently attached to a structure for structural health monitoring is provided. The SPIDAS device employs an electromechanical impedance measuring method to directly measure the high-frequency local impedance spectrum of the structure, process the electromechanical impedance data, and issue structural health reports that the device may transmit over a wireless connection.

Abstract: A small, lightweight, portable, and inexpensive self-processing integrated damage assessment sensor (SPIDAS) that may be temporarily or permanently attached to a structure for structural health monitoring is provided. The SPIDAS device employs an electromechanical impedance measuring method to directly measure the high-frequency local impedance spectrum of the structure, process the electromechanical impedance data, and issue structural health reports that the device may transmit over a wireless connection.