Method and device for actuating and sensing highly nonlinear solitary waves in surfaces, structures, and materials
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- *Abstract
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The proposed technology focuses on the development of an innovative method and related instrumentation for the early detection of structural deficiencies. The project leverages on the recent discovery of a new class of highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs), which can form and travel in highly nonlinear systems (i.e. granular, layered, fibrous or porous materials). Compared to conventional stress waves used in the existing (sonic-, ultrasonic-, impact-based) technology, HNSWs offer significantly higher tunability in terms of wavelength, wave speed (proportional to the wave amplitude and to the materials properties), number of generated pulses, and amplitude control in a simple and reproducible experimental setup that can be adjusted at will. Applications1. Structural testing based on the generation of stress waves by means of mechanical impactors2. Structural testing based upon global vibrationAdvantages1) larger tunability range of the frequency, amplitude and velocity of the induced pulses resulting in a broader range of sizes of detectable cracks, defects, inclusions in a material (multiscale defects sensitivity); 2) enhanced repeatability of the measurements, improving the instruments reliability and avoiding the required high operator skills of the currently used methods; 3) simpler and more scalable design of the instruments (wave actuators and sensors) to different dimension (versatility on applications); 4) reduced power requirements characteristics of the instruments; 5) significantly reduced cost of assembling and manufacturing of the process components, sensors and actuators (~2 orders of magnitude lower than the commercially available impact hammers).Non Provisional and PCT Patent Applications filed
- *Principal Investigator
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Name: Chiara Daraio, Assistant Professor
Department: Aeronautics and Applied PhysicsEngineering and Applied Science
Name: Piervincenzo Rizzo, Assistant Professor
Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Country/Region
- USA
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