Abstract: A method of battery state monitoring includes: (1) providing a battery cell and at least one ultrasonic actuator and at least one ultrasonic sensor mounted to the battery cell; (2) using the ultrasonic actuator, generating a guided wave that propagates in-plane of the battery cell; (3) using the ultrasonic sensor, receiving an arriving wave corresponding to the guided wave; and (4) determining a state of the battery cell based on the arriving wave.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring a first structure at least partially according to properties of a second structure. One such method comprises determining a first relationship between a first variable and a second variable, wherein the first variable represents sizes of actual damage to the second structure, and the second variable represents sizes of simulated damage on the second structure; determining a second relationship between a third variable and a fourth variable, wherein the third variable represents sizes of simulated damage on the first structure, and the fourth variable represents values of a damage index determined for the simulated damage on the first structure; and determining an estimate of damage to the first structure according to the first and second relationships.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor network is attached to a structure and employed to detect and analyze load changes such as impacts from projectiles. An analyzer coupled to the sensors can determine where on the structure the projectile impacted. Coupled with information on the origin point of the projectile, i.e. where it was fired from, the analyzer can then estimate the trajectory of the projectile. The analyzer can also determine whether the projectile passed through the structure and, if so, can extrapolate the estimated trajectory to determine an estimation of whether the projectile has also impacted an object behind the structure.

Abstract: Described here is a multifunctional energy storage (MES) composite comprising (a) a stack of energy storage materials and (b) one or more structural facesheets sandwiching the stack of energy storage materials, wherein the stack of battery materials is perforated by (c) one or more reinforcements, and wherein the reinforcements are bonded to the structural facesheets. Also described here is a MES composite comprising (a) a stack of energy storage materials, (b) one or more structural facesheets sandwiching the stack of energy storage materials, and (c) one or more reinforcements perforated by the stack of energy storage materials, wherein the reinforcements are bonded to the structural facesheets.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system comprises: a flexible substrate configured for attachment to a structure, the flexible substrate having a plurality of sensors affixed thereon. The flexible substrate comprises a first portion configured for attachment to the structure, a second portion extending in continuous manner from the first portion, and a third portion extending in continuous manner from the second portion and being configured for attachment to the structure. The second portion includes a first section extending in continuous manner from the first portion, a second section connected between the first section and the third portion and having an edge extending in a direction different from an edge of the first section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor network is attached to a structure and employed to detect and analyze load changes such as impacts from projectiles. An analyzer coupled to the sensors can determine where on the structure the projectile impacted. Coupled with information on the origin point of the projectile, i.e. where it was fired from, the analyzer can then estimate the trajectory of the projectile. The analyzer can also determine whether the projectile passed through the structure and, if so, can extrapolate the estimated trajectory to determine an estimation of whether the projectile has also impacted an object behind the structure.

Abstract: A method of battery state monitoring includes: (1) providing a battery cell and at least one ultrasonic actuator and at least one ultrasonic sensor mounted to the battery cell; (2) using the ultrasonic actuator, generating a guided wave that propagates in-plane of the battery cell; (3) using the ultrasonic sensor, receiving an arriving wave corresponding to the guided wave; and (4) determining a state of the battery cell based on the arriving wave.

Abstract: Placement of structural health monitoring sensors within a coupled bearing assembly. An exemplary structural health monitoring system comprises first and second bearings configured for rotatable positioning along a structure, and a spacer positioned between the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings are placed against opposing sides of the spacer, and have a preload force engaging the respective first and second bearings against the opposing sides of the spacer. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the spacer so as to be positioned between the spacer and at least one of the first and second bearings, the sensors further coupled to at least one of the first and second bearings so as to be configured to monitor a structural health of the at least one of the first and second bearings.

Abstract: Placement of structural health monitoring sensors within a coupled bearing assembly. An exemplary structural health monitoring system comprises first and second bearings configured for rotatable positioning along a structure, and a spacer positioned between the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings are placed against opposing sides of the spacer, and have a preload force engaging the respective first and second bearings against the opposing sides of the spacer. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the spacer so as to be positioned between the spacer and at least one of the first and second bearings, the sensors further coupled to at least one of the first and second bearings so as to be configured to monitor a structural health of the at least one of the first and second bearings.

Abstract: Placement of structural health monitoring sensors within a coupled bearing assembly. An exemplary structural health monitoring system comprises first and second bearings configured for rotatable positioning along a structure, and a spacer positioned between the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings are placed against opposing sides of the spacer, and have a preload force engaging the respective first and second bearings against the opposing sides of the spacer. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the spacer so as to be positioned between the spacer and at least one of the first and second bearings, the sensors further coupled to at least one of the first and second bearings so as to be configured to monitor a structural health of the at least one of the first and second bearings.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system comprises: a flexible substrate configured for attachment to a structure, the flexible substrate having a plurality of sensors affixed thereon. The flexible substrate comprises a first portion configured for attachment to the structure, a second portion extending in continuous manner from the first portion, and a third portion extending in continuous manner from the second portion and being configured for attachment to the structure. The second portion includes a first section extending in continuous manner from the first portion, a second section connected between the first section and the third portion and having an edge extending in a direction different from an edge of the first section.

Abstract: Described here is a multifunctional energy storage (MES) composite comprising (a) a stack of energy storage materials and (b) one or more structural facesheets sandwiching the stack of energy storage materials, wherein the stack of battery materials is perforated by (c) one or more reinforcements, and wherein the reinforcements are bonded to the structural facesheets. Also described here is a MES composite comprising (a) a stack of energy storage materials, (b) one or more structural facesheets sandwiching the stack of energy storage materials, and (c) one or more reinforcements perforated by the stack of energy storage materials, wherein the reinforcements are bonded to the structural facesheets.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system capable of maintaining electrical contact with sensors affixed to a rotating structure. One such structural health monitoring system comprises a rotatable structure, a plurality of sensors each affixed to the rotatable structure, and an interface. The interface has an inner housing and an outer housing, and maintains a plurality of individual electrical connections, each of the individual electrical connections being an electrical connection between one of the sensors and an electrical contact maintained on the outer housing, the electrical connections configured to be maintained during rotation of the structure. The inner housing is affixed to the structure and the outer housing is rotationally coupled to the inner housing, so that the inner housing is free to rotate with respect to the outer housing during rotation of the structure and the sensors, while maintaining the electrical connections.

Abstract: A device receives information, associated with civil structures, that includes temperature information associated with the civil structures, pressure information associated with the civil structures, stress information associated with the civil structures, vibration information associated with the civil structures, or displacement information associated with the civil structures. The device performs an analysis of the information associated with the civil structures via one or more analytics techniques, and generates analysis information based on the analysis of the information associated with the civil structures. The analysis information identifies a potential issue with at least one of the civil structures, and the device provides the analysis information for display.

Abstract: A device receives information, associated with civil structures, that includes temperature information associated with the civil structures, pressure information associated with the civil structures, stress information associated with the civil structures, vibration information associated with the civil structures, or displacement information associated with the civil structures. The device performs an analysis of the information associated with the civil structures via one or more analytics techniques, and generates analysis information based on the analysis of the information associated with the civil structures. The analysis information identifies a potential issue with at least one of the civil structures, and the device provides the analysis information for display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring a first structure at least partially according to properties of a second structure. One such method comprises determining a first relationship between a first variable and a second variable, wherein the first variable represents sizes of actual damage to the second structure, and the second variable represents sizes of simulated damage on the second structure; determining a second relationship between a third variable and a fourth variable, wherein the third variable represents sizes of simulated damage on the first structure, and the fourth variable represents values of a damage index determined for the simulated damage on the first structure; and determining an estimate of damage to the first structure according to the first and second relationships.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system capable of maintaining electrical contact with sensors affixed to a rotating structure. One such structural health monitoring system comprises a rotatable structure, a plurality of sensors each affixed to the rotatable structure, and an interface. The interface has an inner housing and an outer housing, and maintains a plurality of individual electrical connections, each of the individual electrical connections being an electrical connection between one of the sensors and an electrical contact maintained on the outer housing, the electrical connections configured to be maintained during rotation of the structure. The inner housing is affixed to the structure and the outer housing is rotationally coupled to the inner housing, so that the inner housing is free to rotate with respect to the outer housing during rotation of the structure and the sensors, while maintaining the electrical connections.

Abstract: Placement of structural health monitoring sensors within a coupled bearing assembly. An exemplary structural health monitoring system comprises first and second bearings configured for rotatable positioning along a structure, and a spacer positioned between the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings are placed against opposing sides of the spacer, and have a preload force engaging the respective first and second bearings against the opposing sides of the spacer. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the spacer so as to be positioned between the spacer and at least one of the first and second bearings, the sensors further coupled to at least one of the first and second bearings so as to be configured to monitor a structural health of the at least one of the first and second bearings.

Abstract: Detecting damage in a structure without comparing sensor signals to a baseline signal. Once a structure is interrogated, a process based on a Gaussian Mixture Model is applied to the resulting data set, resulting in quantities for which Mahalanobis distances and Euclidian distances can be determined. A damage index is then determined based on the calculated Euclidian distance. A high value of this damage index coupled with an abrupt change in Mahalanobis distance has been found to be a reliable indicator of damage. Other embodiments may employ a baseline, but determine damage according to ratios of energy values between current and baseline signals.

Abstract: An integrated circuit connector is extendable for a variety of applications. In connection with various embodiments, an electrical connector has first and second ends connected to respective circuit nodes in an integrated circuit device. The connector is bundled between the circuit nodes (e.g., substantially all of the connector is located between nodes), and is extended from such a bundled state in which the first and second connected ends are separated by a first proximate distance. The connector is applied in an extended state in which the first and second connected ends are separated by a second distance that is greater than the first proximate distance by at least two orders of magnitude.