Hybrid Piezoelectric/Fiber-Optic Layer and System for Structural Health Monitoring 

Acellent Technologies, Inc. 

Sunnyvale, CA 

• Development of an innovative hybrid system that utilizes a network of piezoelectric actuators and fiber-optic sensors for structural integrity monitoring.
• The system performs quick non-destructive evaluation and long-term health monitoring of aerospace vehicles and structures. Specifically, the system can potentially be used for: in-situ material property characterization, detection of material and structural defects, characterization of load environments (fatigue, overload), and structural life prediction.

• Flexible hybrid piezoelectric/fiber-optic layers and related hardware have been fabricated and are now incorporated into Acellent's product line.
• Prototypes of the hybrid piezoelectric/fiber-optic monitoring layer have been fabricated using PZT, Fiber Bragg grating, and Fabry-Perot sensors. The layers have been integrated with fiber-reinforced composite and metal structures; functionality validation and proof testing on the prototypes have been conducted.
• Incorporation of fiber-optic sensors into a flexible layer is a novel method that makes the handling and integration of fiber-optic sensors with a structure virtually effortless.

• Product name: Hybrid SMART Layer®.
• Primary targeted market is aerospace.
• A patent for manufacturing and use of the system has been filed.
• Hardware is currently in prototype stage and needs to be developed into a commercial product.

• Potential NASA applications include launch vehicles, external tank, solid rocket boosters, thermal protection systems, and crew habitats.
• The system is currently available for purchase and laboratory use. Space flight testing is planned in the coming years.

Return to NASA SBIR Success Listings 

Test and Measurement, Sensors


Curator: SBIR Support            10/22/04