Energy Scavenging Power Supply
The Energy Scavenging Power Supply (ESPS) was originally developed to power the Fatigue Odometer Sensor (FOS), which records the shots fired and their signature on a large caliber cannon barrel. For industry applications, this device can power sensors in hard-to reach-places where batteries are difficult to replace. Learn more...
Cannon Barrel Simulation
Finite element modeling was used to predict the thermal and mechanical loadings in a cannon barrel during a ballistic event. The results from this simulation helped determine locations on the barrel for adequate strain measurements.
E4340 Steel Elevated Temperature Fatigue
To predict how the fatigue life of gun steel is affected by elevated temperatures, fatigue tests were run on E4340 steel, which has similar characteristics to military grade steel. The results show how elevated temperatures adversely affect (shorten) the fatigue life of gun steel.
Composite Material Analysis
With composite materials making up a large portion of today’s advanced materials, the lab was asked to characterize several composite specimens for the DoD as a second source to the manufacturer’s specifications. Specimens were subjected to tension, compression, shearing and short beam bending, and their performance was evaluated. From the work done with these specimens, the DoD could confirm the manufacturer’s work.
Field Inspection Vehicle (FIV)
In an attempt to quantitatively evaluate the damage in the bore of a cannon barrel, a vehicle was designed to travel inside the length of large caliber barrels. The FIV will carry a borescope used to spot potential flaws and a transducer to further evaluate flaws. Learn More...
Industry High Speed Video Analysis
High speed video analysis has been done for local industries to improve and trouble-shoot manufacturing processes. Within automated processes, the events often happen too rapidly to detect problems in real time. With high speed video, these events can be analyzed in slow motion to pinpoint problems and make the necessary adjustment in the machine.
Motor Housing Screws
Screws used to assembly a motor housing were not maintaining their torque specifications, so the lab determined that the stress in the screws was only about half that of the yield strength. Consequently, the company found the screws were not preloaded with a high enough toque to hold tightly.
Mortar Base Plate
Researchers analyzed a mortar base plate design for a new material casting. The lab was to review the design for the given material properties and then determine if there was an effective method to evaluate the castings to assure they did not contain any major flaws that would jeopardize their structural integrity.
Turbine Blade
A scanning electron microscope was used to measure the thickness of the bonding agent between the plastic cover and the blade structure of a wind turbine blade. Findings were submitted to the company for review.
Explosive Bonding
In applications where materials are bonded together through the use of explosive welding, it is important to know if the materials were adequately welded. As a part of this research project, the lab will 1) identify a nondestructive method of quantifying the stress state of tantalum (Ta) sheeting to a bulk material and 2) develop a nondestructive system to characterize the bond of an explosive-bonded Ta metal alloy onto a forging-preform.