Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF151-008

Description

ABSTRACT:To address the need for automated infrastructure damage assessment, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Sensor-based Multimodal Automated Reasoning Technology (SMART). The proposed solution is based on multimodal sensing, wireless data transmission and networking, and automated damage feature extraction and reasoning. Specifically, the innovation in use of novel low-profile thin piezoelectric-wafer active sensors, novel integration of POCs proprietary low-power and small-form-factor WUMSS wireless technology, and new development of unique fuzzy logic algorithms will enable detection of multiple types of damage, networked wireless damage monitoring, automated damage feature extraction, and automatic assessment of infrastructure integrity, taking into account metadata. In Phase I, we will demonstrate the feasibility of the SMART approach by building a laboratory prototype and specifying performance thresholds for an experimental demonstration of feasibility in several possible scenarios. In Phase II, we will develop an engineering prototype and demonstrate its performance under real-case scenarios. The Phase II prototype will be demonstrated to agree within 50 percent of human-generated values. The Phase II SMART system prototype will reach technology readiness level (TRL) 5 to -6 and be ready for initial testing for potential transition to Air Force acquisition programs.BENEFIT:Successful development of the SMART technology will find broad applications in both the military and commercial sectors. The SMART system can be used by the military to assess damage and monitor the health of military infrastructure such as buildings and airport pavement. Through minor modification, the system can be used for health monitoring of military aircraft structures. The SMART system can also be used by other government agencies for damage assessment and health monitoring of government infrastructure such as public buildings, pavement, and bridges. It can also be used by First Responders to evaluate the damage of structures after catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks. The SMART sensors can be built into civilian building structures to realize health monitoring and damage assessment for more effective maintenance. Since the SMART sensors can also be used for damage detection of composite and metal structures, they can be modified for damage detection of aircraft structures and components. For such applications, Boeing has expressed their interest in this technology and will have more involvement in the Phase II development including transition of the SMART technology to their military platforms.