IDF No 1435 Selectively Exposed Embedded Acoustic Waveguide Sensors For Guided Wave Based Online Monitoring of Rheology Changes and Damage/Defect Thereof

Selectively Exposed Embedded Acoustic Waveguide Sensors For Guided Wave Based Online Monitoring of Rheology Changes and Damage/Defect Thereof

Technology Category/Market

Technology: Acoustic Waveguide Sensors For Guided Wave Based Online Monitoring of Rheology Changes and Damage/Defect

Category: Non-Destructive Testing Methods & Equipment (NDT/NDE)

Industry: Material Inspection Industry

Application: Composite testing

Market: The global market size was USD 14.28 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 15.78 billion in 2023 to USD 33.73 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period.

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Problem Statement

Composites are widely used in Civil, Aerospace, and Mechanical Industries due to their strength relying on bonding layers.
Inspection of composites is challenging due to multiple layers, anisotropic nature, time, and complex structure features. Non-Destructive Technologies (NDTs) like Ultrasonic Guided Waves are widely used for inspection, as they can inspect large areas quickly and effectively detect defects.
However, current NOE techniques for structural health monitoring use omni-directional wave transduction via surface bonded transducers, which generate cylindrical waves that decay away from the source, limiting the applicability of ultrasonic guided waves due to attenuation over distance.

Technology

A system for guided wave based online monitoring of rheology changes, damages and defects in a structure using selectively exposed embedded acoustic waveguide sensors, comprising of:
one waveguide sensor embedded into the inter-laminar region of a composite structure, one end of the embedded waveguide is protruded out from the structure,
a coating surrounding the waveguide coating prevents leakage of waves into the surrounding structure and ensures one dimensional plane wave generation and energy distribution inside the structure through much longer distance;
one sleeve opening on the waveguide sleeve receives reflections of wave energy from various places inside the structure;
one probe attached to a pulser receiver, converts the electrical energy from the pulser receiver to mechanical vibrations using a piezoelectric crystal, which is transmitted into the waveguide in the form of ultrasonic waves.

Method:

Guided Wave-Based Online Monitoring of Structure Rheology
Generates guided ultrasonic wave modes using an ultrasonic transducer.
Transmits these modes along the waveguide, interacting with the structure.
Recorded reflected wave signals using an ultrasonic transducer and instrumentation.
Detects crack/delamination in the structure by calculating wave energy leakage and reflection.
Determines the location of crack/delamination by calculating the time of flight of reflected wave signals.

Key Features/Value Proposition

Composite Structure Delamination/Crack Detection:

Provides reference signal.
Ensures integrity of composite structures.

Wave Energy Calculation:

Determines delamination/crack location.
Calculates time of flight.

Waveguide & Sleeve Opening:

No airgap between waveguide and sleeve.
Removes coating for sleeve opening.

Waveguide Shapes and Sensor Types:

Circular, cylindrical, tubular, elliptical, square, rectangular.
Longitudinal, Torsional, Flexural.
Anti-Symmetric, Symmetric, Shear Horizontal.

Waveguide Coating Overview:

Polymers, paper, or heat shrink polyolefin.
Pulser receiver connected to digital oscilloscope.

Wave Signal Reception Process:

Receives one wave signal without delamination/crack.
Receives two wave signals with second reflection from structure.
Reflects second signal to waveguide sensor and receiver probe.

Wave Mode Generation in Piezoelectric Crystals:

Dependence on relative crystal position.
Guided waves generated via piezoelectricity, electromagnetic transduction, or Thermal Mechanisms.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramaniam

Prof.Prabhu Raja Gopal Department of Mechanical Eng.

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1435
Patent No: IN 373496

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 3

Experimental Proof of Concept

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IDF No 1818 Bimetallic Lenses For Focusing Ultrasound

Bimetallic Lenses For Focusing Ultrasound

Technology Category/Market

Category- Non-Destructive Testing Methods & Equipment (NDT/NDE)

Industry Classification:

NIC(2008)- 26511 Manufacture of physical properties testing and inspection equipment

NAICS(2022)-334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (Physical properties testing and inspection equipment); 7120 Technical testing and analysis

Applications:

Detection of sub-wavelength defects in structural health monitoring in aerospace, civil engineering, and manufacturing; super-resolution imaging; diagnostic imaging for conditions that require precise identification; wearable ultrasound sensors or point-of-care diagnostic devices; defect detection in complex materials.

Market report:

Global Structural Health Monitoring Market was valued at USD 2.43 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 5.32 billion by 2031 with a CAGR of 10.30%.

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Problem Statement

Traditional ultrasonic testing is limited by the diffraction limit, preventing detection of defects smaller than half the wavelength, which affects the ability to identify subwavelength anomalies in materials.
Existing techniques like evanescent wave imaging and metamaterials are complex, difficult to implement, and fail to provide practical, high-resolution solutions for ultrasound testing.
Moreover, methods based on negative refraction or backward wave propagation cannot efficiently focus ultrasound waves, limiting their ability to resolve subwavelength anomalies across various applications.
There is a need for a bimetallic lens system that efficiently focuses ultrasound waves while improving the resolution and enabling the detection of subwavelength anomalies in structural health monitoring and medical diagnostics.

Technology

The lens system uses a combination of two materials, typically Aluminium (Al) and Molybdenum (Mo), where ultrasonic waves generated in the first material (Aluminium) are focused into the second material (Molybdenum). The materials are selected such that the forward wave (S2) in the first material is converted to a backward wave (S2b) in the second material at the same frequency-wave number combination, facilitating super-resolution in ultrasound wave imaging.
The bimetallic lens works on the principle of negative refraction caused by mode conversion of ultrasonic guided waves. This allows for focusing of waves beyond the diffraction limit, a key feature that enables super-resolution in imaging applications.
The materials used for the bimetallic lens are carefully selected for their mechanical properties and compatibility in terms of wave propagation modes. Aluminium is chosen for its availability and cost-effectiveness, while Molybdenum (or other metals like Brass, Chromium, Copper, and Titanium) is selected for its ability to support backward wave (S2b) propagation and for optimizing the focusing effect
The bimetallic lens is designed to be versatile and applicable in a broad range of industries, including medical imaging (e.g., resolving subwavelength anomalies in tissues) and structural health monitoring (e.g., detecting cracks or defects in materials). The lens system can be miniaturized and arranged in stacks for more complex imaging tasks or beam steering applications.
Experimental and simulation results show that the bimetallic lens provides a focused ultrasound spot with a reduced Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM), indicating improved resolution compared to traditional systems

Key Features/Value Proposition

Unlike conventional ultrasound systems that are limited by diffraction limits, this bimetallic lens achieves super-resolution, enabling the detection and imaging of subwavelength defects, which existing systems may fail to resolve.
The focusing using the invented bimetallic lense can clearly be observed at the center of the plate, and this is quite prominent as compared to the more diffuse distribution of wave energy in an Al-Al combination.
Traditional lenses typically rely on positive refraction, leading to broader focal spots. The bimetallic lens, through negative refraction, achieves tighter focusing and higher energy concentration at the focal point, improving resolution significantly.
The ability to select and combine different materials (e.g., Aluminum, Molybdenum, Brass, etc.) gives the bimetallic lens a level of customizability not present in single-material lenses.
Unlike complex metamaterials or photonic crystal (PC) lenses, the bimetallic lens offers a simpler design that can be easily fabricated. This results in lower manufacturing costs and easier implementation in practical settings.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref 1818
IN 548806 Patent Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 3

Experimental Proof of Concept

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IDF No 1206 Non-destructive Evaluation Employing Mode-confined Uni-dimensional Guided Waves – System, Apparatus And Methods Therefor

Non-destructive Evaluation Employing Mode-confined Uni-dimensional Guided Waves – System, Apparatus And Methods Therefor

Categories for this Invention

Category-Non-Destructive Testing Methods & Equipment (NDT/NDE)

Industry Classification:

NIC (2008)- 26511 Manufacture of physical properties testing and inspection equipment
NAICS (2022)- 334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (Physical properties testing and inspection equipment); 7120 Technical testing and analysis
Applications: Testing and repair of aerospace composites, aircraft repair and maintenance
Market report:
Global NDT In The Aerospace And Defense Market size is estimated at USD 9.11 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 18.92 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 15.74%

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Problem Statement

The use of stiffened composites is common in aerospace box-like components and provides the additional stiffness required in structures such as aero foils, fuselage, wing box and tail section etc.
However manufacturing considerations require conformal deltoid radius fillers (noodle) with localized bar-like geometry in the interface between the skin and stiffeners in T-joints. These noodles are at an increased risk of delamination and hence need to be periodically assessed.
Conventional NDE tend to be generic and require point-by-point scanning of the whole structure which is tedious and time consuming while not reaching interior regions of such joints.
There is a need for a cost-effective method of rapid scanning of the whole composite using a single transducer based on a recently discovered phenomenon of mode confinement in composite noodle regions.

Technology

Noodle regions are bar/rod-like (typical of trigonal type, but sometimes of circular cross-section), and consist of filler materials different from the parent composite Materials. Often such Noodle sections are at an increased likelihood of delamination or separation from the stiffened component, and periodic assessment of their condition is critical
The Noodle system can support a number of CGW modes, which have different modal structure and wave speed depending on the frequency of operation. Once generated in the Noodle system, CGW modes can travel long distances, typically in the range of several meters without much attenuation
Upon encountering anomalous or defective features, will scatter waves back and onward. Such scattered waves contain a signature of the defective feature, and once detected, can provide information on their location and extent. .
Specialized PZT based horn transducers have been developed to permit a complete characterization of the Noodle sections in composite joints from a single access point, and provide information on severe failure zones.
The said transducers in this prototype are designed to operate in (but are not limited to) the low-frequency guided wave regime of 50 kHz – 4 Mhz and as such are generic within this frequency range.
The signals were sent to a 100 kHz wide-band piezoelectric transducer which was acoustically coupled to the test specimen. During the experiment it was observed the generation of a tightly confined mode travelling only in the Noodle region.

Key Features / Value Proposition

The technology is developed based on a discovery made by the inventors about novel Confined Guided Wave (CGW) in noodle regions.
The invention provides an NDE with simple hardware that enables rapid scan of hard to reach regions such as noodle regions in a composite. Whereas conventional methods require point-by-point scanning of the whole structure thus making the process tedious and time consuming.
The invention provides for a methodology based on the phenomenon of localized or confined (1-Dimensional) ultrasonic guided waves. Whereas conventional methods involve ultrasonic guided waves propagating in 2-Dimensions, thus the range and resolution achievable by such guided waves is highly dependent on distance to and the size of features of interest.
Specialized PZT-based ultrasonic horn transducers have for the first time been developed for the generation and reception of CGW modes in composite Noodle systems. These horn transducers are tailored to the specific geometry of noodle region to be inspected, and are highly modular as opposed to conventional integrated horn solutions cannot generate such specific CGW modes.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramaniam

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref.1206
IN 337572 Patent Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 5

Technology Validated in Relevant environment

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IDF No 1803 Integrated Thermocouple Waveguide Sensor System and Method to Measure Physical Properties of Waveguide Material and Surroundings

Integrated Thermocouple Waveguide Sensor System and Method to Measure Physical Properties of Waveguide Material and Surroundings

Categories for this Invention

Technology: Integrated Thermocouple Waveguide Sensor ;

Industry & Application: NDT, Level & measurement, Automotive, robotics & etc.

Market: The global Industrial Ultrasonic Transducer market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period (2024-31).

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Problem Statement

The problem statement discussed in the present invention is how to provide a simplified waveguide based integrated sensor system that measures both temperature & physical properties of waveguide and surrounding materials by coupling both ultrasonic effect and thermo-electric effect without providing separate material and design for creating sensor element at the hot junction.
Hence, there is a need to address the issue & said invention provides the solution efficiently.

Technology

Present patent describes an integrated sensor system for simultaneously measuring the wave propagation medium for its physical properties, rheology measurement & condition monitoring of surrounding media.
System comprises a
one or more of compatible wave propagation mediums linked to an ultrasonic energy transducer at one end as cold junction
the other ends of the wave propagation mediums are joined together to form a closed end, i.e. a hot junction made by one or more of twisting, bending, bonding, extended welding, spot welding to provide ultrasonic damped junctions, electrical potential and mechanical strength;
wave propagation mediums between the open end & closed end is characterized with one or more of reflectors such as bends, notches, coatings, the hot junction and gratings, along the length to obtain ultrasonic reflections;and
the ultrasonic-thermoelectric hot junction/ultrasonic sensor’s gage length measures the physical properties of the wave propagation medium and its surrounding medium properties including rheology and strain parameters using ultrasonic waves propagating in the waveguide(s) in addition to temperature

Key Features / Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

Specimen Testing Process:

The integrated sensor is pasted (using spot welds or high temp glues) to the specimen for measuring the longitudinal strain, lateral strain, resultant strains and thermal expansion, while heating the sample.

Transducer:

Transducer is selected from PZT, electro-magnetic, thermal means, or combination thereof.

Active Ultrasonic Sensors:

A few temperature sensor will function simultaneously and are characterized to self-calibrate with respect to each other, upon failure of hot junction, either one of the leads or both leads will become active ultrasonic sensors.

Other Features:

Said surrounding media properties are viscosity, density, temperature, humidity, ice formation, flow, level, etc.
Said wave propagation medium properties are elastic moduli, longitudinal, lateral, radial strains, diagonal strains, etc., wherein said wave propagation mediums are selected from two dissimilar metals Chromel & Alumal.
The means of ultrasonic energy transduction method is selected from piezo-electric, electromagnetic, magneto strictive, thermo-elastic, opto-mechanical, electro-mechanical.
The temperature tolerance for sensing ranges from -100°C to 2000°C.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1803;
IN Patent No. 394597 (Granted)
PCT Application No. PCT/IN2020/050592
US Publication No. US 2022-0291171 A1

Technology Readiness Level

TRL- 4

Experimentally validated in Lab

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IDF No 1842 Sizing of Remnant Thickness in Pipes and Plates using Cut-off Properties by Widening Excitation Bands of Frequency and Wavelength

Sizing of Remnant Thickness in Pipes and Plates using Cut-off Properties by Widening Excitation Bands of Frequency and Wavelength

Categories for this Invention

Technology: method for detecting a defect in a thickness in pipes and plates using cut-off properties ;

Industry & Application: Oil & Gas, Chemical Industry, NDE/NDT industries;

Market: The global waveguide market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period (2024-32).

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Problem Statement

Wall thinning is a major concern in petrochemical & aerospace industries, & corrosion & erosion are a few of main reasons.
Further, major drawbacks are observed in the range of detectable remnant wall thickness.
The main problem discussed in said invention, is how to provide a simplified method of non-destructive evaluation and structural health/integrity monitoring for efficiently determining remnant thickness of a structure/component.
Hence, said invention provides the solution in efficient manner.

Technology

Present patent disclosed a method for detecting a defect, in a thickness of an object, occurring due to corrosion and/or erosion.
The cut-off property is used to determine the remnant thickness of structures.
The cut-off thickness of a particular mode is the minimum thickness required for that mode to travel through the guided medium.
For a particular mode, at one specific frequency, the cut-off thickness is constant. When cut-off frequency increases cut-off thickness decreases.
The input excitation is coded to generate a mode in such a way that it contains a range of desired wavelengths & frequencies in it. The cut-off thickness acts as a filter allowing only the frequencies above the cut-off frequency to pass through.
The frequencies below the cut-off frequency undergo reflection to the original thickness & one cut-off frequency value is corresponding to one thickness reduction value. Cutoff frequency can be identified by measuring the lower frequency limit of the particular mode transmitted through the inspection area or by measuring the higher frequency limit reflected from the inspection area.

Key Features / Value Proposition

Facilitates a simplified method of non-destructive evaluation & structural health and integrity monitoring which precisely evaluates/determines remnant thickness of a structure/component in a single testing.
Provide an evaluating method in the areas where the remaining thickness of a structure/component needs to be precisely and quantitatively evaluated.
Implements excitation of a particular mode in a wide range of frequencies and uses cut-off property to determine the remnant thickness of structures.

Input Excitation:

The input excitation is coded in such a way that it contains a range of desired wavelengths and frequencies in it.
The range of wavelengths is achieved by varying the spacing between the excitation sources in comb transduction.
The range of frequencies is obtained using methods such as chirp excitation, spike excitation or low cycle Hanning pulse.

Utility:

Efficiently applicable in the oil & gas industries, NDE/NDT industries and others.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1842;
Patent No. 510555
PCT Application No. PCT/IN2020/050351
US Publication No. US 2022-0214313-A1
UK Patent No. GB2596966

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-5

Technology validated in relevant environment

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IDF No 1925 Staggered Magnet Array (SMA) Based Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT)

Staggered Magnet Array (SMA) Based Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT)

Categories for this Invention

Technology: Staggered magnet array (SMA) based electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT);

Industry & Application: Nondestructive testing & Medical imaging, Automotive, Pipeline, Aerospace, others;

Market: The global Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer(EMAT) market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2030.

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Problem Statement

In the present era, the design of EMATs enable users to generate specific wave modes & the ultrasound is produced immediately below the surface of the inspected specimen having various issues.
There is a need for an improved staggered magnet array (SMA) based electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system for controlling the direction of ultrasonic wave depending on the industrial application & also, a need exists for a SMA based EMAT system & method for controlling the direction of the ultrasonic waves in the EMAT using SMA configurations. Present invention provides the solution in efficient manner.

Technology

Claimed patent describes a staggered magnet array (SMA) based electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system. The system comprises:
at least one conductive racetrack coil; &
at least two magnet arrays comprises of permanent magnets, where each magnet is oriented according to a specific hybrid configuration having at least one of periodic permanent magnet (PPM) & linear Halbach array magnet (HBA) configuration to produce different ultrasonic waves in order to form an different ultrasonic beam by mechanical movement for shifting the position of at least one magnet in the magnet arrays of PPM & HBA configuration in up or down direction to creating a SMA configuration at fixed frequency, shown in Fig. 1.
Further, a multiple magnet arrays EMAT for beam forming comprises: 2 array EMAT configuration, 3 array EMAT configuration, 4 array EMAT configuration, 5 array EMAT configuration & multi-array EMAT configuration. (Refer Fig.2)

Key Features / Value Proposition

Enhanced Performance:

The proposed system provides the SMA based EMAT allows for the dynamic or static focusing or defocusing of ultrasonic beams and thereby enhance the results or data obtained in the industrial application.

Handy by the Operator:

Proposed system allows the operator to steer the beam at different angles using a single transducer.

Universal Economical Solution:

The SMA based EMAT prototype can have small footprint, low cost, and offer a universal solution for producing static or dynamic beam forming through simple mechanical movement of the magnets.

Other Important Features:

The magnetic configurations in the SMA based EMAT system can be dynamically manipulated through the mechanical movement of the magnet arrays, thereby manipulating the ultrasonic beams from the EMAT.

Experimental Setup Details:

The setup contains both PPM and Halbach array, the chosen EMAT frequency was 118 kHz, which was the midpoint frequency between 80 kHz and 156 kHz. (Shown in Figure)

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1925; IN Patent No. 512822
PCT Application No. PCT/IN2020/050936
US Publication No. US-2023-0018319-A1

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-4

Technology validated in Lab

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IDF No 1898 Method for Simulation Assisted Data Generation and Deep Learning Intelligence Creation in Nondestructive Evaluation Systems

Method for Simulation Assisted Data Generation and Deep Learning Intelligence Creation in Nondestructive Evaluation Systems

Categories for this Invention

Technology: Method for simulation assisted data generation for NDE system;

Industry: NDE/NDT, Artificial Intelligence, Deep learning Industries with Instrumentation fault finding; Applications: NDE/NDT Systems.

Market: The global Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Software Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.10% during the period (2024-29).

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Problem Statement

Generally, NDE/NDT plays a vital role in improving the manufacturing productivity and quality. There are a few NDT/NDE inspection techniques such as feature-based classification, artificial neural networks & adaptive filtering which have been developed to perform automatic radiographic inspections of the objects.
However, application of these techniques is restricted due to lack of sufficient training data to train the NDE/NDT system to perform defect identification, which leads to inefficient implementation of said NDT/NDE techniques.
Present invention addresses above issues in efficient manner.

Technology

Present invention describes a system and method for automatically identifying one or more anomalies in the objects.
The system receives experimental data of the object and applies a probability density function (PDF) upon one or more variables associated with the experimental data to determine corresponding one or more PDF estimates.
Further generates simulated data associated with the object based on at least one of the one or more PDF estimates and priori data associated with the testing of the object.
The simulated data comprises one or more new anomalies unknown in the experimental data along with the one or more anomalies of the experimental data.
Furthermore, the system trains a learning model based on the one or more new anomalies and the one or more anomalies of the experimental data.
The learning model is applied for detecting any anomaly in an object.

Key Features / Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

Efficient Techniques:

The claimed invention enhances the automation of detecting anomalies in an object using a Non-destructive Testing/Evaluation (NDE/NDT).

Using AI Network for generating large & relevant data:

The claimed subject matter further provides techniques for generating large and relevant data for training artificial intelligence networks (such as Deep Learning and/or Machine Learning) for the NDE/NDT system.

Improved Performance:

The claimed patent facilitates improved the accuracy and efficiency of the NDE/NDT system

Industrial Perspective:

Utility:

Applicable in the industry such as NDT/NDE Industry, automation Industry and flaw detection industries, Instrumentation, Oil & gas industries.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramaniam

Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1898;
IN Patent No. 481776 (Granted)

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-4

Proof of Concept ready, tested and validated in Laboratory

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IDF No 2454 A Non-contact Apparatus and Method for Measuring Surface Strain in a Material

A Non-contact Apparatus and Method for Measuring Surface Strain in a Material

Categories for this Invention

Category- Non-Destructive Testing Methods & Equipment (NDT/NDE)

Industry Classification:

– NIC (2008)- 26511- Manufacture of physical properties testing and inspection equipment; 71200-Technical testing and analysis.

– NAICS (2022)- 541350- Building Inspection Services; 54138- Testing Laboratories and Services

Applications- Structural integrity assessments, material characterization and deformation analysis in real time of bridges, buildings and other applications where precise strain measurement is required.

Market report:

– The Global building inspection services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% during the forecast period of 2023-2027.

– The global strain gages market size was USD 1230.6 million in 2023 and market is projected to touch USD 1665.3 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 3.4%

– The global market for Fiber Optic Sensors was at USD 3.1 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach USD 6.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.5%

– The global DIC market was USD 243 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 350 million by 2033, with a CAGR of 3.7%

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Problem Statement

Non-contact methods, such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC), are being used to measure strain in materials.
However, DIC faces challenges related to specimen preparation, imaging equipment, and algorithm complexity.
Existing strain measurement systems fall short when faced with complex non-uniform deformation patterns and heterogeneous materials.
There is a need for a reliable non-contact apparatus and method for measuring surface strain comprehensively while capturing strain behavior across diverse scenarios and materials.

Technology

The method begins with the strategic placement of markers on the surface of a specimen, followed by subjecting it to controlled deformation through a testing unit
Images of three or more markers are captured before and after deformation using a capturing unit
An image processing unit comprises a processing unit within this framework identifies and calculates displacement vectors of the markers, extracting pivotal information about their movement.
To enhance accuracy, a noise filtering unit systematically reduces noise within these displacement vectors through an optimally designed Gaussian filtering technique
Strain measurement unit further refines the data, generating principal strain values and direction that comprehensively characterize material behavior

Key Features / Value Proposition

The innovation offers a robust and cost-effective solution, eliminating the need for intrusive instrumentation and simplifying the strain measurement process.
The Gaussian filter for noise elimination used in the invention helps in symmetrical characteristics around the mean, gradual reduction of kernel weight, and absence of additional peak formation with higher spread parameters. In the presence of Gaussian-like noise, this filter outperforms alternative low-pass filters.
The method’s effectiveness is demonstrated through experimental investigations on plain concrete cylinders subjected to cyclic loading. The compatibility of the non-contact approach with traditional strain measurement methods reinforces its reliability and applicability in real-world scenarios.
Traditional contact methods can introduce perturbations to the material’s behavior while needing intricate instrumentation setup; whereas, the non-contact approach minimizes such disturbances, preserving the material’s natural response using only regular cameras and markers for real time measurement with reduced complexity and cost.
It enables strain measurements in multiple directions simultaneously in hard-to-reach or hazardous environments, thus providing comprehensive insights into material behavior, enhancing safety and accessibility.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Saravanan Umakanthan

Department of Civil Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 2454
IN 536878 – Patent Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 4

Technology Validated in Lab

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IDF No 2300 A Mechanical Metamaterial Transducer Add-On (MeTradd) Filter for Enhancement of Linear and Nonlinear Ultrasonic Damage Detection

A Mechanical Metamaterial Transducer Add-On (MeTradd) Filter for Enhancement of Linear and Nonlinear Ultrasonic Damage Detection

Categories for this Invention

Technology: Mechanical Metamaterial Transducer Add-On (MeTradd) Filter;

Industry: Oil & Gas Pipelines, Automotive, Aerospace Industries, Structural Instruments;

Applications: NDE & Structural Health Monitoring ultrasonic systems, Energy & Power, etc.

Market: The global metamaterial technologies market grow USD 14.5 billion by 2032 & at a CAGR of 37% during forecast period 2024-32.

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Problem Statement

The mechanical integrity of wires, rods, pipelines, & other cylindrical structures is a crucial factor in guaranteeing safety & reliability when they are utilized for storing high-pressure substances or transmitting them.
The conventional methods often fall short of accurately detecting micro & fatigue cracks or identifying damage in the early stages of the component’s structural lifespan.
The structural life of the component estimated closely by monitoring the higher harmonics from the material discontinuity. Further the nonlinearity from instrumentation, transducer, & couplant creates false positives apart from material-based or micro-crack-related nonlinearity, which leads to inaccurate nonlinear measurements, including other drawbacks. Present invention addresses above issues in efficient manner.

Technology

Present invention describes a mechanical metamaterial (MM) add-on filter for the transducer for the enhancement of linear & non-linear ultrasonic damage detection on cylindrical rod structures.
Said mechanical metamaterial add-on filter placed along the cylindrical rod with an array of axisymmetric metamaterial baffles arranged periodically on the surface of the rod for harmonic filtering of signals,
The axisymmetric metamaterial baffles are either constant axisymmetric baffles or tapered axisymmetric baffles enclosed in a shell. (Refer Figs. 1a, 1b, 1c)
Further claimed a system for generating & directing ultrasonic waves for inspections of specimens using the add-on filter, said system comprises:

a custom-made holder setup to attach transducer & add-on assembly to the workpiece for proper ultrasonic wave propagation;
a device to generate the electric pulses for the transducer;
an ultrasound pulser receiver device used for receiving the ultrasonic waves;
an oscilloscope used to display the signals, &
a computer to process the signal.

(Refer Fig 4: Prototype of the claim system)

Facilitates a technique that aims to isolate certain guided wave modes in cylindrical waveguides that play a key role in the fluid flow & temperature measurement process.
The waveguide metamaterial suppresses all the unwanted nonlinearity by creating an ultrasonic bandgap near the fundamental frequency range.
Facilitates a long-range inspection as well as inspect micro & fatigue cracks.

Key Features / Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

Suppression & Enhancement of Harmonic:

Said mechanical MM add-on filter proposes many vital features, like capable of:

suppression of all harmonic components,
selective suppression of harmonic components (e.g., selective suppression of certain mode L (0,2) along with enhancement of another mode L (0,3);), &
enhancement of all harmonic components.

Bandgaps:

The bandgap of 60kHz is generated for the basic case of metamaterial from 490 kHz to 550 kHz which is multiple times higher than the bandgap in the existing product.(Refer Fig.3 (right))

Improves Defect Detection capability:

Detect defects such as discontinuity in the cylindrical waveguide from the nonlinear responses.

Industrial Perspective:

Application Areas:

Specifically targets cylindrical waveguides, & their linear & non-linear ultrasonic inspections & addresses applications e.g. inspecting wires, rods, cylindrical structures, & pipelines in efficient & cost-effective manner.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramaniam

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 2300
Patent Application No. 202341040127

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-4

Proof of Concept ready, tested and validated in Laboratory

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IDF No 1729 System and Method for Ultrasonic Inspection of Curved Surfaces

System and Method for Ultrasonic Inspection of Curved Surfaces

Categories for this Invention

Non-Destructive Testing Methods and Equipment (NDT/NDE) | Other Technologies

Industry: Manufacturing & Fabrication Industry, Healthcare, Aerospace, Oil and Gas Industry, Construction and Infrastructure Industry

Applications: Ultrasonic Inspection Technology, Non-Destructive Testing, Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging, Industrial Inspection Market

Market: The global ultrasonic testing market size is projected to grow from $ 1,954.4 million in 2020 and to reach $3,671.9 million by 2027, growing at 9.43% CAGR from 2020 to 2027.

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Problem Statement

Pulsed Array Ultrasonic Transducers (PAUT), an existing ultrasonic testing method rely on multiple transducers and intricate electronic systems, resulting in complexity, potential limitations in inspecting materials with curved portions, higher costs and may limit its applications in diverse fields.
The existing ultrasonic testing methods, including advancements like curved array probes and conformable array transducers, often come with inherent complexities & costs.
Hence, there is a growing demand for a more simpler, streamlined and cost-efficient solution for ultrasonic inspection, especially for hollow structures to overcome the limitations of current technology.

Technology

The present patent invention aims to disclose a System and Method to streamline and cost-effectively improve ultrasonic inspection for curved surfaces, ensuring high-quality evaluations, especially in hollow structures and materials with curved portions.

Key Features / Value Proposition

User perspective:

Simplicity and Ease of Use: User-friendly design and operation for easy implementation and reduced training requirements.
High-Quality Inspections: Ensures accurate and reliable inspection results for curved surfaces without compromising quality.

Industrial perspective:

Cost-Effective Solution: Reduces overall costs associated with ultrasonic inspection by eliminating need for multiple transducers and complex electronics.
Versatility: Applicable across various industries, offering a versatile solution for inspecting curved surfaces in different materials and structures.

Technology perspective:

Single Transducer Efficiency: Utilizes a single transducer for generating curved wave fronts, simplifying the technology and reducing complexity.
Customization with GRIN PCs: Incorporates Gradient Refractive Index Phononic Crystals (GRIN PCs) for tailored wave front curvature, enhancing customization capabilities.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF No.: 1729
IP No.: 402425 (Granted)

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-3

Proof of Concept

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IDF No 1441 Flexible Ribbed Bar Waveguide Array Transducer Add-on For Ultrasonic Guided Wave Generation

Flexible Ribbed Bar Waveguide Array Transducer Add-on For Ultrasonic Guided Wave Generation

Categories for this Invention

Category: Non-Destructive Testing Methods and Equipment (NDT/NDE)

Industry: Materials Testing, Lab Testing Automotive, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Biomedical Application, Environmental Use

Application: NDT Equipment & Service, Pipeline Inspection, Biomedical Imaging Devices, Civil & Health Structural Monitoring Solutions

Market: The global waveguide market was valued at $1.30 Bn in 2021, expected to reach $2.14 Bn by 2030 at 5.8% CAGR in 2022 to 2030.

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Problem Statement

Traditional ultrasonic transducers lack the ability to selectively enhance specific guided wave modes, hindering accurate testing.
Methods like angle beam techniques and comb transducers are widely used but they are bulky, imprecise and inflexible, limiting adaptability to various test specimen shapes, impacting reliability of non-destructive testing processes.
Achieving precise control over guided wave modes is crucial for effective inspection.
Hence, the present patent invention is needed to address the limitations and challenges posed by existing methods in ultrasonic testing applications.

Technology

The present patent invention primarily discloses a Flexible Ribbed Bar Waveguide Array Transducer. The technology overcomes traditional ultrasonic transducers drawbacks by offering a flexible & precise system to selectively generate guided wave modes in ultrasonic testing.

Invention Disclosure:

The key components of this technology include:

The technology includes a flexible central waveguide bar that transfers signals from an excitation element to the test object, adapting to different shapes and sizes of specimens.
Multiple secondary films are attached at set widths and intervals on both sides of the central waveguide bar.
These films are essential for selectively boosting specific guided wave modes in the test object.
An excitation element, like a piezoelectric transducer, is used to activate the central waveguide bar. This triggers the creation of guided wave modes that are transmitted to test object through attached secondary films.
The central waveguide bar’s material is selected for a different velocity than the test object. This velocity difference, coupled with correction factors, corrects time delays & optimizes guided wave mode efficiency.

Method of Non-Destructive Testing:

The technology involves a non-destructive testing method:
Excite the central waveguide bar, contact the test object, and receive signals from the test object for further analysis.

Key Features / Value Proposition

User perspective:

Offers precise control over guided wave modes, enhancing the accuracy of non-destructive testing.
Adapts to various shapes and sizes of test specimens, providing versatility in testing.
Streamlines testing processes, making it user-friendly & efficient.

Industrial perspective:

Improves NDT efficiency & reliability, providing a cost-effective solution compared to bulky & complex alternatives.
Applicable in diverse industries such as civil engineering, pipeline inspection, and biomedical applications.

Technology perspective:

Allows targeted testing by enhancing specific guided wave modes.
Utilizes materials with different velocities for waveguide and test object, optimizing wave mode efficiency.
Simplifies technology with single excitation element, reducing complexity and cost.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact For Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF No.: 1441
IP No.: 394271 (Granted)

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-4

Validated in Laboratory

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IDF No 2117 A System and a Method for Detecting and Characterizing a Defect in an Object using Guided Wave Inspection

A System and a Method for Detecting and Characterizing a Defect in an Object using Guided Wave Inspection

Technology Category/ Market

Category – Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Inspection.

Applications – NDE and structural health monitoring in oil refineries or coal mining.

Industry – Corrosion Monitoring and NDT

Market – Global NDT and Inspection market size is projected to reach USD 18.5 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 10.1%.

Image Gallery

Problem Statement

Guided wave inspection methods in non-destructive evaluation often encounter challenges due to the existence of multiple wave modes at a single frequency, complicating analysis.
Mode conversions and dispersive effects further complicate the inspection process, making it difficult to excite a single wave mode selectively.
Current popular methods, such as comb transduction, offer selective excitation of single wave modes but rely on complex and expensive mechanical movement systems to change the wavelength of excitation.
There is a need for an electronically controlled wavelength changing system that can be integrated into existing phased array equipment.

Technology

The technology involves a method for detecting and characterizing defects in objects using comb-like pattern transducers that generate guided waves based on specific wavelengths and analyze the waves using a 2D-FFT technique to determine cut-off frequencies and remnant thickness values.
These comb-like pattern transducers consist of arrays of source elements, which can be controlled individually or in groups, and may include piezoelectric materials, Lorentz force EMAT elements, or magnetostrictive strip elements for wave generation.
The generated guided waves can be of various types, including Zero Group Velocity (ZGV) and Negative Group Velocity (NGV) wave modes, and may use single, multiple, or broadband wavelengths, enabling flexibility in the inspection process.

Key Features/ Value Proposition

Enhanced Inspection Accuracy:

The technology provides a more precise and reliable method for defect detection and characterization, improving the overall quality of non-destructive evaluations.

Versatile Wave Generation:

It enables the selective generation of different guided wave modes and a wide range of wavelengths

Non-Destructive Testing Advancements:

The 2D-FFT analysis technique enhances the ability to analyze guided waves, allowing for more comprehensive frequency-wavenumber and frequency-wavelength domain analyses.

Integrated System:

The system’s integration with phased array equipment simplifies the inspection process, making it accessible and convenient for a broad range of industrial applications.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 2117
IN 202141025996
PCT/IN2022/050464

Technology Readiness Level

TRL – 4

Technology validated in lab scale.

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IDF No 1448 Quadratic Electro-optic Based Deflection-free Wide Path-length Modulation and Lateral Scanning Device for Time Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Quadratic Electro-optic Based Deflection-free Wide Path-length Modulation and Lateral Scanning Device for Time Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Technology Category/Market

Category– Medical and Surgical/ Non Destructive Testing

Applications –Test Equipments, NDE, Biomedical systems, Sensors, Medical imaging

Industry- Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare

Market -The global medical imaging market size was valued at USD 32.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030.

Image

Problem Statement

Conventional systems involving FDOCT, Spectral Domain OCT (SDOCT) and Swept Source OCT (SSOCT), offers rapid axial scanning capabilities without mechanical components.
However, it presents challenges such as substantial data processing requirements and the need for high-resolution spectrometers and line-scan cameras for imaging deep tissues, making the detection system bulky and complex

Technology

The present invention discloses electro-optic systems capable of performing axial, lateral, multi-dimensional, and even three-dimensional imaging

The said electro-optic system for axial scanning of a sample comprising of:

A light source producing a light beam
A detector and an interferometer connected to the light source, where Interferometer includes a polarizer
A beam splitter that divides the light beam into two beams.
Sample defining a sample arm.
Electro-optic crystal maintained at a fixed temperature and linked to a voltage source within the reference arm
At least one electro-optic crystal is maintained at a predetermined temperature within the sample arm.
Involves utilization of two sets of electro-optic crystals, where each set is maintained at two predetermined temperatures.
The sample used is electro-optic crystal (6) is KTN crystal of the formula KTa1-xNbxO3

Different types of imaging of imaging can be performed with the described electro-optic systems, include :

Axial Scanning Imaging:

Allows for imaging along the axial (depth) direction of the sample and provides insights into the internal structure and composition of the sample.

Lateral Scanning Imaging:

Enables imaging in two dimensions, typically the x and y axes useful for capturing cross-sectional or planar views of the sample’s surface or structure.

Multi-Dimensional Imaging:

Combines axial and lateral scanning, allowing for 3D imaging and provides a comprehensive view of the sample in terms of depth and lateral dimensions.

Key Features/Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

A high speed axial and lateral scanning device for time domain optical coherence(TCOCT) system that enables non-mechanical noiseless imaging
Interferometric imaging provides highly sensitive and can reveal fine details and subtle changes in the sample, also allows for precise measurement of optical path differences and variations
Involves less data processing and does not have constraints on depth imaging .
Polarized Imaging uses polarizers and quarter-wave plates to manipulate the polarization state of the light beam that can reveal information about the sample’s optical properties and anisotropy

User Perspective:

Versatile technique and can be used for both biological samples that include tissue analysis or cellular imaging as well as non-biological samples.
Offers a range of imaging modalities, making them valuable tools for scientific research, medical diagnostics, and materials characterization

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Nilesh Jayantilal Vasa

Department of Engineering Design

Prof. Sarathi R

Department of Electrical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1448
IN380174-Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL- 4

Technology Validated in the lab

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IDF No 1116 A Device and Methods for Determining the Elemental Identity and Analysis on Moving Target from A Variable Stand-off Distance

A Device and Methods for Determining the Elemental Identity and Analysis on Moving Target from A Variable Stand-off Distance

Technology Category/Market

Category – Non Destructive Testing

Applications –Test Equipments, NDE, Optics, Sensors High Voltage installations

Industry- Environment Engineering,, Manufacturing

Market -The global advanced optics market size was USD 242.45 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 250.93 billion in 2021 to USD 477.42 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 9.62% in the 2021-2028 period.

Image

Problem Statement

LIBS technique has applications in diverse areas such as forensic elemental analysis, environmental monitoring, real-time radioactive material tracking etc
LIBS has advantages such as multi-element detection capabilities, in-situ analysis, minimal sample preparation requirements, minimal destructiveness, high detection sensitivity, and the ability to perform remote detections
Distance and height of the systems remains as a major hurdle while finding a robust solution for pollutant detection on moving and rotating objects or targets

Technology

The present invention discloses a device for determining the elemental identity of optical emission generated by a laser beam irradiation on a moving target with a variable stand-off distance, the said device arrangement comprising of:

An irradiating laser trigger means
Adjustable focusing optical means
A fixed aspheric mirror means
A moveable beam diverting mirror means
A holder means
Optic fiber connected to optical emission
Spectrometer associated with optic fiber
A data acquisition means

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique is combined with a photometric device for determining the presence of various elements and analysis of moving target material from a variable remote distance
Said technique is combined with temporal and spatial studies is demonstrated for detection and quantification of a salt deposit on a GFRP material.
The irradiating laser trigger means transmits laser beams towards the moving target
The adjustable focusing means includes focus mirror and a focusing lens to focus the transmitted beams from the laser trigger means on to the moving target
The irradiating laser trigger means transmits laser beams towards the moving target
The adjustable focusing means includes focus mirror and a focusing lens to focus the transmitted beams from the laser trigger means on to the moving target
Further, the said transmitted beams induce plasma plume emission on the surface of the moving target
The fixed aspheric mirror focusses the induced plume emission from the surface of the moving target
The movable beam diverting mirror means, which is two sided mirror receives the focused plasma emission from fixed aspheric mirror
Spectrometer captures signals corresponding to plasma emission of the moving target , and the data acquisition means receives and stores the signals from the spectrometer

Key Features/Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

The present invention discloses an optical device for detecting a contaminant or a pollutant layer on moving targets
By the combined effect of a photometric device, an optical fiber, and a translation stage, the optical emissions originating from the plasma induced by laser action on a revolving target are encompassed.
Further, strategically positioning the optical fiber close to the focal plane, the measurement of pollutant layers at different stand-off distances is attainable.
Device allows coaxial laser ablation and remote detection

User Perspective:

The present invention can be utilized for detecting a contaminant layer on wind turbine blades with considerable heights, ranging from tens to hundreds of meters
Can perform condition monitoring in structures such as monuments, bridge structues, high voltage installations, nuclear power plants etc.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Nilesh Jayantilal Vasa

Department of Engineering Design

Prof. Sarathi R

Department of Electrical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1116
IN314839-Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL- 3

Experimental Proof of concept

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IDF No 861 A Method for Non-destructive Structural Health Monitoring

A Method for Non-destructive Structural Health Monitoring

Technology Category/Market

Category – Non-destructive Testing (NDT) and Structural Health Monitoring Technology.

Applications – Aerospace engineering, Manufacturing

Industry – Aerospace, civil engineering, infrastructure management, manufacturing, and oil and gas

Market – Destructive Testing (NDT) Market was valued at USD 6.30 billion in 2021 and is expected to witness significant growth, reaching USD 16.66 billion by 2029, with a projected compound annual growth rate CAGR of 13.66% during the forecast period.

Image

Problem Statement

Current structural health monitoring methods often require structures to be taken out of service for inspection, leading to downtime and cost.
There is a need for a non-destructive, in-service monitoring solution that can provide real-time structural health data without disrupting normal operations, thereby optimizing maintenance schedules and ensuring safety more effectively.

Technology

Multiple Cameras:

The invention utilizes two or more cameras with adjustable orientations for capturing images of the structure.

Programmable Hardware Platform:

It employs a hardware platform capable of controlling image acquisition, performing Digital Image Correlation (DIC) computations, and post-processing results.

DIC Computation:

Digital Image Correlation is used to analyze image data and calculate three-dimensional displacements of the area of interest.

Mechanical Enclosure:

The device is housed within a protective enclosure, ensuring its durability and suitable mounting on the structure.

Versatility:

The technology can adapt to various structures and sizes, capturing images at different frequencies, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Key Features/Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

This invention employs advanced cameras and computational techniques for non-destructive structural health monitoring, enabling real-time data collection and analysis.

User Perspective:

The invention is passive, in-service monitoring solution that optimizes maintenance schedules, enhances productivity, and ensures structural safety without the need for downtime or service interruption.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Sankara J Subramanian

Department of Engineering Design

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 861
IN 373492 (PATENT GRANTED)

Technology Readiness Level

TRL- 6

Technology demonstrated in relevant environment.

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IDF No 1685 A Method of Manufacturing a Slit Mask for In-situ Laser Ultrasonic Inspection of Additively Manufactured Components

A Method of manufacturing a Slit Mask for in-situ Laser Ultrasonic Inspection of additively Manufactured Components

Technology Category/Market

Category: Additive Manufacturing, Non

Destructive Testing

Applications: Medical imaging, Advance materials, Test Equipment’s , NDE

Industry: Manufacturing, Healthcare, automotive,

Aerospace & Defence

Market -The global additive manufacturing market

size was valued at USD 13.84 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8% by 2030

Image

Problem Statement

Conventionally available slit masks are not flexible where such slit masks are made from thin sheet metals that are glued which can eventually fall off.
Thin masks will deform in time, thereby changing the desired wavelength.
A number of processes are involved conventionally for implementing the masks for inspection which are time consuming and expensive
Therefore, there is an unmet need for slit masks with improved flexibility, time/cost effectiveness and efficiency.

Technology

The present technology involves method for efficiently generating and/or mixing laser generated narrowband ultrasonic waves using an integrated or permanent slit mask.

Method:

Scanning the powder or a wire with laser to form a printed desired 3D component
Scanning the powder or a wire with a laser to form a printed desired 3D slit mask.

The method is given by the following steps:

Providing a powder bed of selected powder on a substrate
Scanning the powder with laser, forming a melt pool
Fusing the powder onto a desired shape to form a first layer of component
Formation of a subsequent layer
Replenishing and repeating to form final desired 3D component and separate from substrate

The system includes:

A non-contact energy source for localized heating in the additively manufactured component to generate ultrasonic waves;
An ultrasound receiver for receiving the ultrasonic waves;
An instrument to display the signals.
A computer to process the signals.

Fig.1 Represents a schematic view of the additive manufactured integrated slit mask concept

Fig.2 is photograph of additively manufactured test specimen with the integrated slit mask

Fig.3 is an An illustration (top view) of a combinational dual wavelength slit mask for wave mixing

Fig 4 is an illustration of a possible configuration for Lamb wave mixing using slit masks

Fig 5 is graph showing signal in frequency domain clearly showing the fundamental and higher harmonics

Key Features/Value Proposition

It is possible to carry out wave mixing (both linear and non-linear) using a single mask or using masks located at different locations.
Less deformation compared to conventional slit masks, hence, almost constant wavelength is generated throughout the lifetime of the mask
Precise frequency generation by controlling the width of the slit
Generation of higher harmonics (peak signal ~7.2Hz)
Has an improved flexibility unlike the conventional systems where the slit mask is custom made
Time/ cost effectiveness and efficiency and occupies less space

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. KRISHNAN BALASUBRAMANIAM

Prof. PRABHU RAJAGOPAL

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref.1685
IN 420162 (Granted)

Technology Readiness Level

TRL-3

Experimental Proof of concept

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IDF No 1217 Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) for Performing Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) of Submerged Pipeline Structures

Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) for Performing Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) of Submerged Pipeline Structures

Technology Category/Market

Category – Robotics, Non destructive Evaluation

Applications – Non destructive evaluation & testing, Marine, Ports & Terminals, Deep-sea Pipeline inspection, Advanced ROVs for Industrial applications

Industry – NDT, Oil & Gas, Marine, Defense

Market – The global remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market to grow from 2022 – 2030 at a CAGR of 10.50%. The ROV market’s was worth nearly USD 1.6 billion in 2022, which will likely reach USD 3.2 billion by 2030.

Image Gallery

Problem Statement

Recently, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) have become the go-to tool for oil and gas construction and maintenance tasks.
Since, ROV is equipped with sensors for navigation, control and external ultrasonic inspection of submerged pipe, therefore it is well suited to work in thousands of metres of water, or just a few, within the energy sector.
These ROVs can be widely implemented on mobile platforms for collecting oceanographic and geophysical data.

Technology

The technology is an underwater remotely operated vehicle to carry out a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of pipes, using circumferential guided waves along with a gripper mechanism which provides the capability of scanning a structure from a single location.
The ROV has a detachable hull with on-board cameras to provide live-streaming vision for an on-shore operator through wired cables.
Further, the ROV navigates underwater with stability-assist sensors for easy operation.
The overall ROV design (Fig.1) is compact and modular to enable up-gradation of technology and easy adaptation to more stringent operational requirements.

Key Features/Value Proposition

Total length – 700 mm
Depth range – 60-70 metres
Total mass – 21 kgs
ROV is neutrally buoyant, which avoids extra power consumption and ease in maneuvering.
Propulsion BTD 150 thrusters
Propulsion Specifications – 18 volts, maximum 2.2 kgf continuous thrust
Vision – 8MP, 1080p HD web camera
Power Source – Lipo Battery
Payload capacity – 2.5kgs.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1217
IN 401043 – Patent Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL – 4

Technology Validated in laboratory & field

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IDF No 2124 Method and System for Generating Time-efficient Synthetic Non-Destructive Testing Data

Method and System for Generating Time-efficient Synthetic Non-Destructive Testing Data

Technology Category/Market

AI based NDT datasets generating method & System.

Application: Automated Defect Recognition (ADR) System; Software for automated Defect Recognition, Visual/Surface/volumetric Inspection.

Market: The NDT testing software market is expected to reach $853.7 million by 2026, registering expansion at a CAGR of 11.1%.

Image Gallery

Problem Statement

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is the process of inspecting, testing or evaluating materials components or assemblies for characteristics differences or welding defects, discontinuities etc. without causing damage to the serviceability of such material components or assemblies.
The technical problem underlying the invention is stated that “how to provide accurate detection and classification of defects in NDT/NDE.”
Present Invention provides the technical solution to the technical problem of the existing NDT method by integrating the artificial intelligence (AI) automation system for generating a large volume of NDT datasets.

Technology

Present invention describes an AI based time efficient method and system for generating synthetic non-destructive training datasets.

The system determines a CAD model representing the actual physical defect sample based on the received geometrical features, further including critical statistical distribution parameters, and generates a synthetic NDT dataset based on training the AI model.
The method comprises a few steps depicted in the figures. A smart chart shows herein below:

Receiving real time experimental NDT datasets by the processor; & Performing numerical analysis on said dataset via numerical solution model.
Training a deep convolutional generative adversarial network (DCGAN) by using the generated NDT datasets with flaw geometrical features.
Receiving random number input vectors iteratively at the trained DCGAN; & Generating a synthetic NDT datasets for each of the received said input vector by the trained DCGAN.

Key Features/Value Proposition

Technical Perspective:

Present system provides AI driven NDT datasets, wherein the testing dataset includes dimensions of defective samples, expected defect morphologies, defect probabilities, the sensitivity of instruments, observation from experimental datasets, and noise from instrumentation.

Industrial Perspective:

Claimed system facilitates an automated, robust, highly scalable, time efficient platform to generate a large volume of synthetic NDT datasets.
The system reduces computational resources and time by a factor of N/n.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref.: 2124.
Patent Application No. 202141007067
PCT Application No. PCT/IN2022/050125

Technology Readiness Level

TRL- 3/4

Proof of Concept Ready & tested and validated in Laboratory stage.

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IDF No 2455 Staircase Shaped Magnetostrictive Patch (ScaMP) Transducer

Staircase Shaped Magnetostrictive Patch (ScaMP) Transducer

Technology Category/Market

Category- Non-destructive evaluation (NDE), Structural Health Monitoring

Applications – Ultrasonic wave inspection/ monitoring methods, long-term corrosion monitoring and suitable for leave-in-place sensor applications in a Structural Health Monitoring mode.

Market – Magnetostrictive Material Market size is forecast to reach $25.2 billion by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 8.6% during 2020-2025.

Targeted Industries

Watermarking IP design,

Electronic circuits

Image Gallery

Problem Statement

In magnetostrictive patch transduction, the patch dimension in the direction of wave propagation influences its frequency response.
Generally, the patch-width must be equal to half the wavelength of the wave produced.
However, in conventional magnetostrictive patch transducers, the selection of patch width effects the sensor’s frequency response, the excitation of guided waves occurs in a narrow bandwidth.
Despite certain advantages such as better sensitivity and signal to noise ratio, the scope of applications where a narrowband magnetostrictive patch transducer can be used is limited due to limited frequency response.
There is therefore a need for magnetostrictive patch (MP) transducers that overcome the limitations and provide a broadband frequency response.

Technology

The proposed Staircase Magnetostrictive Patch(ScaMP), constructed like a staircase, contributes to the transducer’s wide-banded frequency response.
The width and length of each step are to be selected in such a way that it will all have the same area exposed to the magnetic field.
The number of steps and widths can be chosen based on the required frequency coverage.
The ScaMP has a staircase-like structure/shape comprising a plurality of steps 202a-202n, each step having a corresponding patch-width Ws1-Wsn as shown in Fig 1.
Additionally, ScaMP can excite inside the designated frequency band in relation to the excitation frequency bandwidth if the corresponding step width was taken into account during design.
The user can employ the frequency-sweep strategy as necessary because ScaMP on the other hand will be able to excite individual narrowband frequencies in accordance with the steps included.

Key Features/Value Proposition

1.The method effectively identify dimensions and orientation of a work pieces in the workspace from the 3D model using photogrammetry.

2.This method detects weld trajectory on a dimensions and orientation of the work pieces by considering intensity differences of each work pieces using a self-learning algorithm.

3.This method transforms the identified weld trajectory into machine instructions to perform welding in a physical space.

4.The size of the work piece and the weld seam is not limited by the workspace.

5.This method can be used for welding large structures that are bigger than the workspace.

6.This system is designed to use fusion arc welding processes such as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), etc.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian,
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 2455
IN 202241070456

Technology Readiness Level

TRL – 4

Experimentally validated in lab.

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IDF No 1824 Spherical Robot for Internal Inspection of Pipelines

Spherical Robot for Internal Inspection of Pipelines

Technology Category/Market

Category – Robotics, Non-destructive evaluation (NDE)

Applications – Non destructive evaluation & testing, Pipeline inspection, Oil & Gas Pipelines, Water Pipelines

Industry – NDT, Oil & Gas, Marine, Defense

Market – The Pipe Inspection Robot market is anticipated to attain a of US$ 3 Billion by 2023-end. Global demand for pipe inspection robot is expected to rise at a CAGR of 15.8% US$ 12 Billion in 2033.

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Problem Statement

Pipelines are hollow cylindrical conduits used for transportation of fluids, i.e., gases or liquids. Depending upon the industry, distance, or the fluid transported, pipelines may be buried under ground, exposed to atmosphere, or submerged under water.
Exposure to any extreme or harsh conditions could weaken the integrity of the pipeline structure, and may undergo corrosion or damage causing leakage.
In some instances, pipelines may also develop blockages, gas pockets, pitting, sedimentation, etc. Hence, many industries that rely heavily on pipelines, such as petroleum, natural gas, manufacturing companies, and the like, could face huge losses.
More importantly, such scenarios could lead to discharge of pilferage that may be potentially dangerous to the environment.
Therefore, continuous maintenance of pipelines remains a major concern and large resources are allocated for this purpose.

Technology

The present invention relates to systems and devices for internal inspection and survey of fluid filled pipelines using sensors. The modular robotic device for internal inspection of pipelines includes: (Fig. 1, 2, 3).

A transparent annulus sealed between a pair of domes to form an outer shell of spherical or ellipsoidal shape.
A rotatable shaft mounted about an axis of the outer shell and coupled to a pair of steering plates.
The steering plates are configured to steer the device into a rotational motion along the fluid flow, wherein the shaft rotates independent of the outer shell.
A stabilization assembly is housed in the shell to dampen oscillations during motion.
A visual sensor is mounted on the mounting plate and configured to capture images of internal defects of the pipeline as visual data through the transparent annulus.
An acoustic sensor is configured to detect leaks using acoustic signals as acoustic data.
A processing unit is mounted on the mounting plate, wherein it is configured to log the visual and acoustic data for inspection of the inner surface of the pipeline.

Key Features/Value Proposition

The disclosed robotic device is a passively propelled spherical robot that can be used for inspecting piggable and non-piggable pipelines, ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic pipelines, which are widely used in industries.
The device can operate without shutting down the entire plant. This allows inspectors to inspect a pipeline more frequently at a reduced cost.
The device is relatively simpler and easier to manufacture and use, and therefore, is inexpensive and has good market potential for inspection of pipelines especially for oil, gas, and water pipelines.

Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

smipm-icsr@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in

ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in

Research Lab

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian

Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Intellectual Property

IITM IDF Ref. 1824
IN 437412 – Patent Granted
PCT/IN2019/050134
National Phase – Nigeria; RP. F/P/2021/56 – Patent Granted

Technology Readiness Level

TRL – 7

System prototype demonstration in operational environment.

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