Abstract: A system includes a structure and a material applied to a portion of the structure. The material may be adapted to change color locally in response to localized heating of the portion of the structure to a first threshold temperature due to an electrical current within the structure. The system may further include a detector configured to receive light from the structure to enable detection of a pathway of the electrical current through the structure based on a position of the color.

Abstract: A computer is configured to enable a rapid, consistent, ply-by-ply, quantitative analytical assessment of various Finite Element Method (FEM) material models based on metrics defined for impact damage. Additionally, the computer is configured to provide a method for determining the accuracy of such FEM material model(s) by comparing the output of those models to non-destructive evaluation (NDE) test data.

Abstract: Methods and systems may be configured to integrate data from fixed nondestructive inspection sensors positioned on a test specimen and data from laser ultrasound scans of the test specimen, in order to monitor and track damage and stress indications in the test specimen in real-time during mechanical stress testing of the test specimen. Data from the laser ultrasound scans may identify emergent areas of interest within the test specimen that were not predicted by stress analysis, and further allow for reconfiguration of the test plan in view of the emergent areas of interest, without having the stop the test. Laser ultrasound scans may be performed on the entire test specimen, with high-resolution scans being performed on emergent areas of interest. Thus, stress indications, or stress effects, in the test specimen may be measured, identified, and tracked in real-time (e.g., as growth is propagating) in a test specimen undergoing structural tests.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for determining structural characteristics of an object, the system including a first laser, a second laser, one or more processors, and a computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform functions. The functions include illuminating, by the first laser, a surface region of an object with an incident light pulse, thereby causing the object to exhibit vibrations; illuminating, by the second laser, the surface region with an incident light beam, thereby generating responsive light that is indicative of the vibrations; detecting the responsive light and determining a difference between a characteristic of the responsive light and a reference characteristic that corresponds to the surface region; determining a position of the surface region within a three-dimensional space; and displaying the surface region such that the difference is indicated at the position of the surface region.

Abstract: Methods and systems may be configured to integrate data from fixed nondestructive inspection sensors positioned on a test specimen and data from laser ultrasound scans of the test specimen, in order to monitor and track damage and stress indications in the test specimen in real-time during mechanical stress testing of the test specimen. Data from the laser ultrasound scans may identify emergent areas of interest within the test specimen that were not predicted by stress analysis, and further allow for reconfiguration of the test plan in view of the emergent areas of interest, without having the stop the test. Laser ultrasound scans may be performed on the entire test specimen, with high-resolution scans being performed on emergent areas of interest. Thus, stress indications, or stress effects, in the test specimen may be measured, identified, and tracked in real-time (e.g., as growth is propagating) in a test specimen undergoing structural tests.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-destructive inspection of curved composite laminate structures using interface guided waves. In particular, if the curved composite laminate structure has a noodle, then the noodle area may be inspected using interface guided waves. The systems and methods provide a repeatable and reliable nondestructive technique for monitoring the structural health of the noodle area of an adhesively bonded curved composite laminate structure by comparing detection data acquired from an inspected curved composite laminate structure with prediction data derived using a simulated curved composite laminate structure.

Abstract: A system includes a structure and a material applied to a portion of the structure. The material may be adapted to change color locally in response to localized heating of the portion of the structure to a first threshold temperature due to an electrical current within the structure. The system may further include a detector configured to receive light from the structure to enable detection of a pathway of the electrical current through the structure based on a position of the color.

Abstract: Methods and systems may be configured to integrate data from fixed nondestructive inspection sensors positioned on a test specimen and data from laser ultrasound scans of the test specimen, in order to monitor and track damage and stress indications in the test specimen in real-time during mechanical stress testing of the test specimen. Data from the laser ultrasound scans may identify emergent areas of interest within the test specimen that were not predicted by stress analysis, and further allow for reconfiguration of the test plan in view of the emergent areas of interest, without having the stop the test. Laser ultrasound scans may be performed on the entire test specimen, with high-resolution scans being performed on emergent areas of interest. Thus, stress indications, or stress effects, in the test specimen may be measured, identified, and tracked in real-time (e.g., as growth is propagating) in a test specimen undergoing structural tests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced visualization of anomalies in a structure. The method comprises: acquiring pulse-echo laser ultrasonic wave propagation imaging video data at a multiplicity of points in a scan area on a surface of a structure; post-processing the pulse-echo laser ultrasonic wave propagation imaging video data using multiple-time window amplitude mapping to create a multiple-time window amplitude map; and displaying the multiple-time window amplitude map on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system includes a structure and a material applied to a portion of the structure. The material may be adapted to change color locally in response to localized heating of the portion of the structure to a first threshold temperature due to an electrical current within the structure. The system may further include a detector configured to receive light from the structure to enable detection of a pathway of the electrical current through the structure based on a position of the color.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automating the fiber laying process during the repair of composite structures made of fiber-reinforced plastic material based on the three-dimensional printing technique. Continuous fiber rovings (e.g., carbon fibers) impregnated with liquid epoxy can be directly printed onto the damaged surface of the composite structure (e.g., an aircraft component made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) without human manipulation in an autonomous manner.

Abstract: Methods and systems may be configured to integrate data from fixed nondestructive inspection sensors positioned on a test specimen and data from laser ultrasound scans of the test specimen, in order to monitor and track damage and stress indications in the test specimen in real-time during mechanical stress testing of the test specimen. Data from the laser ultrasound scans may identify emergent areas of interest within the test specimen that were not predicted by stress analysis, and further allow for reconfiguration of the test plan in view of the emergent areas of interest, without having the stop the test. Laser ultrasound scans may be performed on the entire test specimen, with high-resolution scans being performed on emergent areas of interest. Thus, stress indications, or stress effects, in the test specimen may be measured, identified, and tracked in real-time (e.g., as growth is propagating) in a test specimen undergoing structural tests.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring structural health of bonded components includes an energy-harvesting device. The system also includes a damage-detection module powered by electrical energy from the energy-harvesting device. Further, the system includes electrically-conductive ink applied onto the bonded components and across an interface between the bonded components. The electrically-conductive ink forms an electrical circuit with the damage-detection module. Additionally, the system includes a visual-indication device electrically coupled with the damage-detection module. The visual-indication device is configured to visually indicate damage to the bonded components in response to receipt of electrical energy. The damage-detection module is configured to detect a break in the electrically-conductive ink and to transmit electrical energy from the energy-harvesting device to the visual-indication device in response to detecting the break in the electrically-conductive ink.

Abstract: Systems and methods for structural health monitoring of adhesively bonded joints using guided waves. The method determines the quality of adhesive bonds between two materials by injecting a high-frequency (e.g., 5 MHz or higher) ultrasonic signal and measuring a characteristic of the ultrasonic waves which propagate through the adhesive, trapped and guided by the interfaces between the bonded materials and the adhesive. Prior to an inspection of an actual adhesively bonded structure, that structure is simulated using a finite element model. Also propagation of guided ultrasonic waves along the adhesive bondline is simulated to derive interface wave predicted properties. During ultrasonic inspection of the actual structure, interface wave measured properties are derived. The quality of the adhesive bondline is determined by comparing the empirical interface wave measured properties to simulated interface wave predicted properties.

Abstract: A system includes a structure and a material applied to a portion of the structure. The material may be adapted to change color locally in response to localized heating of the portion of the structure to a first threshold temperature due to an electrical current within the structure. The system may further include a detector configured to receive light from the structure to enable detection of a pathway of the electrical current through the structure based on a position of the color.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring structural health of bonded components includes an energy-harvesting device. The system also includes a damage-detection module powered by electrical energy from the energy-harvesting device. Further, the system includes electrically-conductive ink applied onto the bonded components and across an interface between the bonded components. The electrically-conductive ink forms an electrical circuit with the damage-detection module. Additionally, the system includes a visual-indication device electrically coupled with the damage-detection module. The visual-indication device is configured to visually indicate damage to the bonded components in response to receipt of electrical energy. The damage-detection module is configured to detect a break in the electrically-conductive ink and to transmit electrical energy from the energy-harvesting device to the visual-indication device in response to detecting the break in the electrically-conductive ink.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for structural health monitoring are described. In one example, a method for use in designing a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for use in monitoring a host structure is described. The method includes one or more of a process for designing SHM systems for any given piece of structural hardware, a process for evaluating a given SHM system, a method to quantify the performance of a given SHM system in comparison to current inspection processes, a finite element modeling approach to determining excitation frequencies to detect damage and for selecting the best time window to use for sensed excitation signals, a Bayesian Network based data fusion technique that fuses in environmental information (load cycles induced on the structure) with a damage index (DI) to produce crack detection and estimation of crack length, and a damage location and sensor selection technique.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for using aircraft bondline embedded current sensors to determine a lightning damage index are disclosed. A method of predicting lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft involves sensing, with at least one current sensor node embedded in at least one type of aircraft, induced current. The method further involves generating, with at least one current sensor node, at least one current signal representative of the induced current. Also, the method involves determining, electromagnetic density data associated with at least one region of at least one type of aircraft by using at least one current signal. Further, the method involves creating an index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft based on the electromagnetic density data, dimensions of at least one type of aircraft, and design features of at least one type of aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for structural health monitoring are described. In one example, a method for use in designing a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for use in monitoring a host structure is described. The method includes one or more of a process for designing SHM systems for any given piece of structural hardware, a process for evaluating a given SHM system, a method to quantify the performance of a given SHM system in comparison to current inspection processes, a finite element modeling approach to determining excitation frequencies to detect damage and for selecting the best time window to use for sensed excitation signals, a Bayesian Network based data fusion technique that fuses in environmental information (load cycles induced on the structure) with a damage index (DI) to produce crack detection and estimation of crack length, and a damage location and sensor selection technique.

Abstract: Systems and methods of coupling digitizing sensors to a structure are disclosed. A particular system includes a digitizing sensor node. The system further includes a bus including a plurality of conductive elements applied to a substrate. A first conductive element of the bus is coupled to the digitizing sensor node using a direct-write technique.