Iowa State University
Year Graduated:
Advances in nondestructive evaluation can enhance the quality and reliability of manufactured products; these same noninvasive measurement techniques are beginning to find application in biological systems
Nondestructive evaluation is the use of measurement techniques to non-invasively determine the integrity of a material component or structure. It plays an integral role in modern damage tolerant design and life management strategies as well as in other approaches to assure structural integrity. The Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) uses quantitative approaches to develop nondestructive evaluation as an engineering tool applicable throughout the life cycle of a structural component. The Center's traditional emphasis has been in the fields of aviation, transportation, energy, and manufacturing, with a mission of conducting directed research that advances the science of nondestructive evaluation and ensures the integrity of structures and materials. These same techniques are now being extended to the development of solutions to agricultural, biomedical, and food processing problems.
Nondestructive Evaluation
CNDE conducts a full spectrum of research including the development of new measurement techniques, the development of models and simulation tools that predict the outcome of those measurements based on a fundamental understanding of the interaction between probing methods and the flaws and properties of materials, the development of one-of-a-kind prototype instruments, and the assessment of the effectiveness of the techniques through evaluation of the probability of detection. Successful solutions depend on an interdisciplinary approach, and CNDE’s work has involved faculty, staff and students from 4 colleges, 15 departments and 1 research institute. Areas in which the Center is currently conducting research, with examples of current focus, include --
The work in the Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program is augmented by additional state and federal grants in which CNDE applies its expertise to major societal problems. Included are --
CNDE is strongly focused on the transfer of its research both through working hand-in-hand with industry on specific projects and through education the future generation of NDE engineers and researchers in the field. Some of the Center's recent technology transfer and education/training accomplishments include:
Many companies have used advances developed by CNDE in their manufacturing and service businesses.
Most of CNDE's facilities are housed in ISU's Applied Sciences Complex. CNDE research equipment
Most of CNDE's facilities are housed in ISU's Applied Sciences Complex. CNDE research equipment and instrumentation include a comprehensive set of x-ray sources and detectors, high- and low-frequency ultrasonic instruments, ultrasonic phased array equipment, cw and pulsed eddy current instrumentation, instrumentation for vibrothermography and flash thermography, a state of the art facility for Terahertz measurements (both cw and pulsed), photoinductive equipment for characterizing eddy current probes, special purpose equipment for making a variety of magnetic-based NDE measurements in the laboratory and field, a unique "testbed" for validation of models and work related to the role of NDE and materials in concurrent engineering and life cycle management, and a PC-based cluster for performing parallel computations on large-scale problems. In addition, examples of all of the major equipment items used by industry in practical inspections are available.
Iowa State University
Applied Sciences Complex II
1915 Scholl Road
Ames, Iowa, 50011-3042
United States