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Optical Flow Path Measurements Labs--
Velocity, density, temperature and species concentration are measured
with non-intrusive laser-based methods within the gas path of aerospace propulsion engines. Applications also include bio-engineering experiments. Methods include digital imaging velocimetry, 3-D laser-induced fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and molecular Rayleigh scattering, for example.
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Mobile and Remote Sensing Lab--
The Mobile and Remote Sensing Development team provides a low overhead, fast turn around, rapid design and prototyping, "Skunk Works" style capability for the creation of certified and radiation hard space flight hardware. Team capabilities included imbedded microcontroller and DSP code developoment; development of RF communication hardware, data stream manipulations, and data logging interfaces; and flight certified electronics soldering and assembly.
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NDE Methods Development Labs --
Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods are developed including holography, radiography, ultrasonics, acoustics, tomography, and thermography. NDE team capabilities include thermographic imaging for damage detection, certification of space flight hardware, development of wireless NDE for in-situ damage detection, and development of progressive damage modeling of composite structures. Embedded fiber optic sensors are used for health monitoring.
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Optical Surface Measurement Labs--
Luminescent coatings are applied to surfaces to measure air pressure at the surface and to measure temperature of the surface. These techniques are used on internal surfaces of aerospace propulsion engines, on rotating equipment, and on ice built up on surfaces in our icing wind tunnel. Luminescent coating measurements are also used for measurement of unsteady air pressure.
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Nanophotonics Labs--
Quantum communication and quantum entanglement sensing development enables ultra-low power communication links and remote sensing for NASA's tiniest robotic explorers. Nanoscale material is manipulated using optical trapping techniques. Morphology dependent resonance is developed for communication and sensing.
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Propulsion Health Monitoring Labs --
Multiple approaches to rotor health monitoring are evaluated using sub-component level, rotordynamic test facilities. Vibration based methodologies (i.e., global approach) coupled with physics-based models are used to assess the damage state (e.g., cracks and/or excessive deformations) and remaining life for rotor components. Furthermore, wireless localized techniques, such as PZT patches that “ride on the rotor," are utilized for ultrasonic and impedance based structural health monitoring (SHM). Lastly, uniaxial load frames are utilized for high temperature, coupon-level, mechanical testing of advanced materials (metallics, ceramics, polymers and composites) while utilizing in-situ NDE techniques for monitoring damage progression.
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