Magnetic Imaging And Current Mapping For NDE Of Aluminum Components On Ships Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-132 Topic Title: Magnetic Imaging And Current Mapping For NDE Of Aluminum Components On Ships Proposal No.: N062-132-0174 Firm: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc. 44 Hunt Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472-4699 Contact: Timothy Tiernan Phone: (617) 668-6800 Web Site: http://www.rmdinc.com Abstract: New technology is needed for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of defects in aluminum structures on ships. Fatigue cracks at weldments where defects may be hidden under paints, rough surfaces and other materials are especially problematic. An NDE technology capable of imaging defects in welds under a variety of surface conditions would be ideal. Existing NDE technologies such as visible imaging, x-radiography and acoustic emission cannot provide the portability, rapid imaging, moderate equipment cost, and simple operating protocols needed. Eddy current testing (ECT) is highly sensitive to cracks in aluminum, but it is sensitive to lift-off at rough surfaces and does not image defects. RMD proposes a revolutionary new eddy current imaging technology based on magnetic imaging and current mapping to automatically detect and characterize cracks, corrosion and other defects in rough metallic components. A 2-D sensor array will generate magnetic images of eddy currents. Current mapping will allow the system to be used with rough surfaces without susceptibility to lift-off. The NDE system will be portable, versatile and simple to operate and interpret. The proposed NDE technology will improve ship integrity and safety, and reduce the cost and complexity of inspections. It will also characterize incipient defects and defect propagation. Benefits: Magnetic field imaging and current mapping are emerging technologies pioneered by RMD to provide a new "eye" on the world. Similarities with existing imaging technologies make it compatible with off-the-shelf computer systems, data collection technologies, and image enhancement software. This existing technology base will make it possible for magnetic imaging to reach its potential in the near term. Magnetic field imaging has applications in NDE, security, industrial process control and biomedical imaging. The proposed program has the potential to generate a new type of imaging that will have broad applications throughout science and industry, and produce benefits to society in the form of new jobs, better products and higher safety. Return