Abstract: Systems and methods for real time, nondestructive inspection of an object being formed by additive manufacturing is provided. The disclosed systems and methods can be used with any additive manufacturing system and can detect defects introduced during fabrication. In operation, additive manufacturing of the object can be paused and the object rotated within the build chamber. An x-ray pulse can then be directed through a linear aperture towards the object being formed inside the build chamber. A linear x-ray detector array can detect the x-ray pulse and an x-ray image of the object being formed can be created. By rotating the object being formed during exposure to the x-ray pulse at least one half of one full rotation, the entire volume of the object can be inspected.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provide for technology that monitors a component. A monitoring apparatus includes a sensor to monitor a state of a component, a power circuit to convert an electromagnetic signal to electrical power, a capacitor bank coupled to the power circuit and to the sensor to receive electrical power from the power circuit and to supply electrical power to the sensor, and a wireless readout to convert data from the sensor into a wireless communication signal. A method of monitoring a component includes coupling a sensor to a component, the sensor configured to monitor a state of the component, applying power to the sensor from a capacitor bank, and storing data obtained from the sensor, where the data relates to a state of the component. The method can include charging the capacitor bank via a power circuit, where the power circuit converts an electromagnetic signal to electrical power.

Abstract: An example system includes a sensor housing defining a plurality of horizontal layers and a controller. The sensor housing includes a plurality of light-emitted diode (LED) light sources, a plurality of cameras, and a plurality of optical devices. Each camera of the plurality of cameras is positioned within a respective horizontal layer of the plurality of horizontal layers and configured to detect a respective range of wavelengths of light. The plurality of optical devices is configured to receive light reflected by the surface through a common input lens and direct the light to one of the cameras of the plurality of cameras depending on a wavelength of the light. The controller is configured to receive signals from the plurality of cameras indicative of the light reflected by the surface and determine whether there is any foreign object debris material on the surface using the signals from the plurality of cameras.

Abstract: A flexoelectricity ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system is disclosed comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, a plurality of flexoelectricity UT transducers, and a multiplexer. The PTFE layer includes a front and back surface and the plurality of flexoelectricity UT transducers is attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer. Each UT transducer has a front-end and back-end and the front-end of each flexoelectricity UT transducer is attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer. The flexoelectricity UT transducers are arranged along the back surface of the PTFE layer as a two-dimensional array and each flexoelectricity UT transducer is configured to vibrate in a normal direction to the back surface of the PTFE layer. The multiplexer in signal communication with each flexoelectricity UT transducer, where the flexoelectricity UT transducers are sandwiched between the multiplexer and the PTFE layer.

Abstract: A method of thermographic inspection is disclosed, including applying a thermal pulse to a surface and capturing an image of a thermal response of the surface. The image is captured with an infrared camera through a polarizer having a first orientation. The method further includes determining, by analysis of the image, whether the thermal response is indicative of a crack on the surface.

Abstract: Renewable energy charging stations, systems, and methods are disclosed for capturing storing and delivering large amounts of renewable electrical energy from a renewable energy source to vehicles including passenger aircraft using charging circuits in communication with a demultiplexer and high-temperature superconducting cables to deliver required large electrical charges at fast charging rates safely and at low temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for inspecting a bonded structure in a component. The system includes an integrated probe and a processor coupled to the integrated probe. The integrated probe includes an ultrasonic component and a laser component. The ultrasonic component is configured to transmit pulsed sound waves into the bonded structure and receive reflected pulsed sound waves from the bonded structure. The laser component is configured to generate laser pulses and direct the laser pulses to the bonded structure to generate tension waves across the bonded structure. The processor is configured to test a bonded structure in the component. Further, the processor includes a pre-test module configured to operate the ultrasonic component in a pre-test mode, a test module configured to operate the laser component in a test mode, and a post-test module configured to operate the ultrasonic component in a post-test mode.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating a bond is provided. The system uses an underwater spark discharge to generate a compression wave in a first vessel containing a liquid. The system further includes a second vessel in which a vacuum is pulled to hold the first vessel against a bonded structure being inspected. The compression wave is directed to propagate from the liquid into the bonded structure to apply a known force to the bond being inspected.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic imaging of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes providing an object having multiple layers of fibers and resin, inducing ultrasonic waves at locations along the object, and attenuating the ultrasonic waves at the regions due to regions interspersed among the layers that each exhibit an elastic modulus distinct from an elastic modulus of the fibers and distinct from an elastic modulus of the matrix. The method further includes receiving the attenuated ultrasonic waves, and analyzing the attenuated ultrasonic waves to determine depths of the regions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for electromagnetic x-ray control. The apparatus comprises a thermionic filament, positioned at a first end of a micro-focus x-ray tube and configured to generate an electron stream. The apparatus also comprises an x-ray generation target, positioned within the micro-focus x-ray tube at a second end of the micro-focus x-ray tube, opposite the first end, to receive the electron stream and to generate x-rays in response to the electron stream impinging on the x-ray generation target. The apparatus further comprises an electromagnetic field element, configured to generate an electromagnetic field that receives the electron stream and operable to vary the electromagnetic field to redirect the electron stream, within the micro-focus x-ray tube, to impinge on the x-ray generation target at variable locations on the x-ray generation target. Each one of the variable locations corresponds to a different one of multiple variations of the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An x-ray source for a backscatter imager can include a first electron beam (e-beam) emitter for emitting a first e-beam and at least a second e-beam emitter for emitting at least a second e-beam. The first and second e-beam emitters can be powered by a at least one power supply, and can be configured to direct the first e-beam and the second e-beam toward an anode. An interaction of the anode with the first and second e-beams produces x-rays. The x-ray source is configured to output an amount of x-rays equivalent to a conventional x-ray source that includes a single e-beam emitter. However, because the x-ray source uses at least two e-beam emitters and a single anode, the power source required to power the e-beam emitters can operate at a lower wattage than a conventional power source powering the single e-beam emitter. The x-ray source is thus lighter in weight and outputs less radiation than conventional systems with a comparable x-ray output.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to utilize nanostructures for process monitoring and feedback control. In one example, a method includes forming a layer of material including nanostructures distributed therein. Each nanostructure includes a quantum dot and a shell encompassing the quantum dot. The shells and quantum dots are configured to emit a first and second wavelength, respectively, in response to an excitation signal. The method further includes applying the excitation signal to at least a portion of the layer of material. The method further includes detecting an emitted signal from the portion of the layer of material, where the emitted signal is provided by at least a subset of the nanostructures in response to the excitation signal. The method further includes determining whether a manufacturing characteristic has been satisfied based at least on a wavelength of the emitted signal. Related systems and products are also provided.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an x-ray backscatter apparatus (“apparatus”) for non-destructive inspection of an object. The apparatus includes an x-ray emitter that includes a vacuum tube, an x-ray shield enclosed within the vacuum tube. The x-ray shield includes at least one emission aperture. The apparatus also includes a cathode enclosed within the vacuum tube and that is operable to generate an electron stream. Also included is an anode, enclosed within the vacuum tube and located relative to the cathode, to receive the electron stream and convert the electron stream from the cathode to an x-ray stream, and located relative to the emission aperture to direct at least a portion of the x-ray stream through the at least one emission aperture. Also disclosed are a system and a method that utilize the apparatus.

Abstract: An example laser system includes a laser, a plurality of pulse stretchers coupled together in series, a feedback module, and a lens assembly. The plurality of pulse stretchers is configured to stretch pulse widths of laser pulses provided by the laser and to output stretched laser pulses. The feedback module includes a pulse delay comparator that is configured to compare a first laser pulse of the laser pulses to a corresponding first stretched laser pulse of the stretched laser pulses. The feedback module also includes a computing device that is configured to determine, based on a result of the comparing by the pulse delay comparator, an adjustment to a pulse stretcher of the plurality of pulse stretchers, and apply the adjustment to the pulse stretcher so as to modify a shape of a second stretched laser pulse of the stretched laser pulses.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a thermal protection system coupled to a structural component is provided. The thermal protection system includes a thermally insulative body and at least one layer of thermochromatic material applied thereon such that the at least one layer is positioned between the thermally insulative body and the structural component. The method includes determining a value of a thermochromatic property of the at least one layer of thermochromatic material, wherein the value of the thermochromatic property is responsive to an amount of heat applied to the at least one layer of thermochromatic material, comparing the value to a baseline value of the thermochromatic property, and determining degradation of the thermal protection system when the value of the thermochromatic property deviates from the baseline value.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a bond includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are spaced apart from one another. The system also includes a sacrificial material layer positioned proximate to a surface of a bonded structure that includes the bond. The system also includes a power source configured to cause the first and second electrodes to generate an electrical arc that at least partially ablates the sacrificial material layer as part of a non-destructive inspection of the bond.

Abstract: A method includes exciting, at a first time period, a first set of pixels in an excitation array, wherein the first set of pixels comprises more than one pixel, and no pixel in the first set of pixels is adjacent to another pixel in the first set of pixels. The method also includes exciting, at a second time period, a second set of pixels in the excitation array wherein the second set of pixels comprises more than one pixel, and no pixel in the second set of pixels is adjacent to another pixel in the second set of pixels. The method retrieves excitation data, wherein the excitation data is comprised of data from the first set of pixels and data from the second set of pixels, and the excitation data is capable of being combined to reconstruct an image of a target object for rendering on a display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for non-destructively inspecting a substrate by measuring the Doppler effect in sound waves comprising wide bandwidth ultrasound wavelengths generated from a piezoelectric polymer coating material with the sound waves read by a laser in communication with a Doppler velocity meter.