While multiple methods currently exist - including ultrasound, radiography, and optical methods - they often have issues with expense, safety, and penetrate depth, respectively.  Eagle Harbor is developing a simple and repeatable method of using electromagnetism to detect flaws, but challenges include penetration depth and sensitivity to crack orientation.

 

Dr. Garner’s group received $160,000 to model the electromagnetic interaction with surface materials to assess the sensitivity of this technique to flaw location and orientation.  This technique could ultimately be applied to other areas requiring nondestructive testing, such as pressure vessels nuclear reactors to extend their lifetime.