Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Ultrasound is one of the most important non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques used to monitor the integrityx000D
of critical components and infrastructure across industries. For example, aircraft engines, natural gas pipelines,x000D
refinery columns, water lines, and turbine blades are all regularly inspected using ultrasound. Ultrasound isx000D
non-destructive, and can therefore be used without damaging the system it is monitoring. This technique helpsx000D
diagnose fractures, wear, corrosion, and other degradation that, if not caught early, may lead to catastrophicx000D
failure. A major limitation of current ultrasound transducers is that they are unable to operate at elevatedx000D
temperatures (above about 200°C) - thereby precluding a wide range of applications, including in-servicex000D
structural health monitoring (SHM) at high temperatures. One of the primary challenges of operating anx000D
ultrasound transducer at high temperature is the deterioration of the active piezoelectric component atx000D
temperatures above about 200°C. We therefore are investigating the use of a alternative active piezoelectricx000D
components that are able to withstand higher temperatures. The research outcome could ultimately lead to thex000D
development of a novel ultrasound transducer that is able to withstand high temperatures - thereby enablingx000D
in-service monitoring of critical components, such as in power plants, jet engines, and refineries.