Structural Non Destructive Testing & Evaluation

Background

By leveraging material knowledge & properties, the team develops advanced infrared thermography (IRT) and terahertz (THz) and acoustic/ultrasonic techniques to reveal hard-to-detect defects and make the detection easier & inspection more efficient.

Areas of research:

• Transient thermography
• Lock-in thermography
• Flash thermography
• Laser thermography
• Induction thermography
• Shearography
• Laser ultrasonics
• Acoustic emission
• Phased array ultrasonic testing
• Nonlinear ultrasonics
• Ground penetration radar

Capabilities

1. Advanced infrared thermography (IRT) for detection and inspection

Problem statements or industry needs

• New materials (e.g. polymer composites) require the use of new non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection techniques
  
• Conventional NDT techniques (visual, radiography, ultrasonic, liquid/magnetic penetrants, eddy current) are unable to fulfil the increasing industrial demand:

• Rapid inspection of large components
• Sub-surface or hidden defects detection
• Non-contact, non-invasive technique for moving or dangerous components
• Easy-to-understand results or readout
• Stricter safety requirements on operating environment

Technology Benefits

• Large inspection area (~m2)
• Short inspection time (~sec)
• Non-contact & non-radiative
• Can detect sub-surface defects
• Easy deployment on other technology platforms, e.g. drones & robots

Value proposition

• In-house capabilities in many forms of thermography techniques
• Self-proprietary data & image processing & fusion algorithms
• Whole suite of infrared (IR) techniques & configurations
• Experience working in various industry
• Certified thermographers
  

Applicable industries

• Building & construction
• Marine, offshore, oil & gas
• Aerospace & land transport
• Electronics & semiconductors
• Manufacturing & process control
• Urban sustainability 

2. Acoustic & Imaging

 We have established strong and comprehensive capabilities in the following areas:

• Acoustic shearography for defect imaging.
• Laser ultrasonic for non-contact ultrasonic testing and imaging.
• Acoustic emission for structural health monitoring and materials study.
• Phased array ultrasonic testing.
• Nonlinear ultrasonics.
• Ground penetration radar.

Value proposition

• Proprietary advanced ultrasonic detection and imaging technologies
• Customized components and systems development
• Experience working in various industries

Applicable industries

• Aerospace MRO
• Advanced manufacturing & process control
• Oil & gas, marine & offshores and energy industries
• Batteries
• Electronics & semiconductors
• Buildings and land transport

Contact